Church of England Inter Faith Advisers warn of rising antisemitism following Green Party vote
Advisers call on political leaders, churches and citizens to resist an increasingly antisemitic culture and to uphold Jewish safety.
Church of England Diocesan Inter Faith Advisers have issued a statement expressing grave concern about the recent Green Party vote on Zionism and the rhetoric surrounding it. They warn that the vote has deepened the sense of vulnerability felt by many Jewish communities in England and risks damaging relationships of trust built over many years.
The advisers place the vote within a wider pattern: the minimisation of the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023; rhetoric experienced by many Jewish people as erasing their history and
identity; controversy surrounding the Kairos II debate at the Church of England’s General Synod; demonstrations that have left Jewish Londoners feeling unsafe; and attacks and alleged plots directed at Jewish communities in Manchester and London.
“The Green Party vote is part of a wider and deeply concerning drift towards
an increasingly antisemitic culture in our country. The Church of England and
other churches and religious communities must become a bulwark against
that drift, repenting where we have played our part and ensuring that debate
on Israel and Palestine is conducted with theological integrity, historical
awareness and pastoral responsibility.”
The statement supports the condemnations issued by the Movement for Progressive Judaism
and jointly by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council. It argues
that treating Zionism as inherently racist dismisses the varied ways in which Zionism is
understood within Jewish communities and disregards the place of Zion and Israel in Jewish
history, prayer, ritual and communal life.
“Legitimate advocacy for Palestinian dignity, legitimacy and self determination, which we affirm, must be held alongside an equally robust commitment to Jewish safety, Jewish self-identity and Jewish flourishing in all its diversity.”
Calls for action
- Stand in solidarity with Jewish communities in England and reject language that erases
Jewish peoplehood or denies Jewish trauma. - Ask Christians in the Green Party to stand with Jewish Greens and work to change the
party’s policy, or reconsider their membership. - Encourage the Church of England to deepen study of Jewish–Christian relations through
the Faith and Order Commission’s God’s Unfailing Word, particularly its treatment of
Zionism and Jewish relationships to the land of Israel. - Urge political parties and churches to support approaches to Israel and Palestine that
hold Israeli security together with Palestinian freedom, dignity and self-determination,
and to give practical support to civil-society dialogue and peacebuilding.
The advisers conclude by calling on political leaders, Church institutions and citizens across England to resist the drift towards increasing antisemitism and to exercise moral responsibility in public debate.
Endorsements
The statement has been endorsed by the Rt Revd Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Volland, Bishop of Birmingham and Rt Revd Esther Tamisa Prior, Bishop of Aston.
It is also endorsed by Diocesan Inter Faith Advisers serving in London, Manchester,
Birmingham, St Albans, Bristol, Lichfield, Hereford, Oxford, Southwark, Winchester and Ely.
Signatories
Canon Mark Poulson (London); Canon Steve Williams (Manchester); Canon Dr
Andrew Smith (Birmingham); the Revd Alec Corio (St Albans); Canon Guy Wilkinson CBE
(Bristol); the Revd Ray Gaston (Lichfield); the Revd Dr David Gifford (Hereford); Dr Jane
Clements MBE (Oxford); the Ven Jonathan Sedgwick (Southwark); the Revd Katie Hodkinson
(Winchester); and the Revd Devin McLachlan (Ely).