israel
Indeed, as part of the Dundee— Nablus Twinning Association, I visited Israel, where our delegation delivered books to schools in the West Bank and I supported a World Council of Churches project on a Palestinian farm.
Amongst them a particular place is held by the historic Churches of Israel and Palestine, the “living stones” of the Holy Land, who face ever-increasing violence, and even the threat of extinction, in the land where Christianity began.
The motions in July’s Synod understanding the needs of people in both Israel and Palestine were moving.
recently privileged to visit Palestine and Israel in preparation for a Carlisle ‘Kairos’ motion which eventually passed in General Synod in July.
I undertook a 3- month human rights role in the West Bank of occupied Palestine in 2019, under the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, which places importance on listening to Israeli perspectives as well as Palestinians.
In the last year we have been to Nigeria, Sweden, Leeds, Manchester, Rome, Spain, Israel, USA, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Lithuania, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, and more.
During my time on General Synod I have served on one legislative committee and as part of the Working Groups on the Prayers of Love and Faith, and spoken in debates on statutory parish fees and Israel/Palestine.
I am also involved in leading Northampton’s Prayer for Israel group, which meets monthly both in person and by Zoom, often welcoming guest speakers from around the world.
These were mostly small international groups with some people over 80yrs old and all included crossing from Israel to Jordan and back.
I also planned and led, solo, four Pilgrimages in Israel and in the Biblical heartland of Judeo-Samaria, on routes rarely covered by regular tours.
I rapidly learnt that what had been seen as a saving act for European Jews – the founding of the State of Israel – was and is a total catastrophe for Palestinians.
In 2006 I took three months’ unpaid leave to serve as a human rights monitor on a World Council of Churches initiative called the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).
PA activists have destroyed weapons in Israeli factories in this country – weapons which Israel advertises as “battle tested”.
I am a trustee of The Feast, MyTrust and the Forum for the Discussion of Israel and Palestine.
In 2016/2017 I volunteered with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel (World Council of Churches) residing in the
My full-time employment is as chief executive of an interdenominational UK registered educational charity focusing on Jewish / Christian relations, which includes speaking and exhibiting at Christian festivals such as Big Church, CRE and similar, leading tours to Israel and the Palestinian territories, co-study of the Bible, and holding briefing and parliamentary sessions.
My request would be: “Should we not be willing to check ourselves now at this point?” and to favour balance over condemnation against a country that is fighting for its existence in an era of terror against Israel.
This work needs to reflect both the urgency of the situation in Israel/Palestine (and the effect on the worldwide church) but also the diversity of views within the church.
also lived in Israel, studied Hebrew, and have connections there still.
ISRAEL–PALESTINE Tabled amendments seeking to hold together repentance for Christian antisemitism and a commitment to Jewish-Christian dialogue, with justice for Palestinians, respect for international law and the ongoing work of facilitating dialogue and working towards peace.