Christian embrace of Palestinians condemned as antisemitic

This posting has these items:
1) Lichfield Mercury: Lichfield Cathedral faces racism claim for hosting ‘antisemitic’ Israeli-Palestinian conflict event;
2) Joint letter: Jews and Christians for free speech on Israel and Palestine, deploring the hostile ‘Christian’ speech directed at the cathedral clergy;
3) JfJfP/Kairos: Jews and Christians Join Forces to Counter Claims of Antisemitism, Naomi Wayne and Charlotte Amos respond;
4) Lichfield Cathedral: Holding Palestine in the light: the context of the conflict, event programme;
5) NOTE: on quoted blogger David Collier.

Lichfield Cathedral faces racism claim for hosting ‘antisemitic’ Israeli-Palestinian conflict event

By Lichfield Mercury
October 11, 2016

LICHFIELD Cathedral has defended hosting a conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has been accused of descending into an “antisemitic hate festival”.

The ‘Holding Palestine In The Light’ event last weekend was intended to “explore how a path to lasting peace and security can be found, what we in the UK need to understand about the conflict and what the prospects are for a just peace”.

But the ramifications of the October 7-9 event have been anything but peaceful.

A searing review of the weekend by blogger David Collier* alleges the city’s most iconic building was packed out with one-sided exhibits and racist anti-Israeli sentiment.

Today, Lichfield Cathedral has not acknowledged the allegations of racism but instead insisted the event was an opportunity for people to come together.

But in a statement, the Bishop of Lichfield the Right Reverend Michael Ipgrave, who is chairman of the UK’s Council of Christians and Jews, reaffirmed his “welcome and support for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s recent condemnation of the ‘virus’ of antisemitism”.

In his blog, Mr Collier claims: “Every single stall, every part of the exhibit, was designed or delivered by activists supporting the boycott [of Israel].

“There was a book stall. Every single book was one that castigates Israel and Zionism. Not a single opposition voice was on display.”

He concludes: “If all they can bring to a conference at Lichfield seeking peace are people who want the Jews to kneel, those that throw antisemitic slurs, those that demonise, those that wish Jews to disappear, then Israel needs to make the wall larger and stronger, not to bring it down.

The Lichfield Annunciation painted by Palestinian Christian students Nicola Juha, Noura Sleibi and Loris Matar, from the Bethlehem Icon Centre. Photo by Chris Lockwood.

“I left Lichfield Cathedral battered and bruised, there are many exchanges not listed here and even for someone as experienced as I have become, this was an emotionally disturbing weekend.

“I must also add, that as I left and looked at the cathedral one last time, it had lost some of its shine.

“It wasn’t a beautiful building any more, there were shadows everywhere, and there was something else, something rather sinister about how that cathedral towered over me.”

Four-year-old Hazel Taguma takes a closer look at the bishop’s cross on his first visit as bishop to the Wolverhampton YMCA. Photo from Express and Star

This evening, Bishop of Lichfield the Rt Rev Michael Ipgrave said: “I want to reaffirm my welcome and support for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s recent condemnation of the ‘virus’ of antisemitism.

“I attended part of the conference at Lichfield Cathedral, as a guest, as a mark of my commitment to ongoing dialogue and building better relationships.

“The Council of Christians and Jews will continue to engage in dialogue with the cathedral to build a relationship of deeper understanding that I hope will bear great fruit in the future.”

In a statement obtained by the Mercury earlier today, Dean of Lichfield the Very Reverend Adrian Dorber said: “Cathedral naves are the traditional meeting places for people to come together and debate matters of concern, to learn, reflect and find wisdom in the middle of difficulty and confusion.

“Our recent weekend conference ‘Holding Palestine in the Light – the context of the conflict’ was an attempt to help people understand the complexity of the situation and what roads to peace are available for all the people of the Holy Land, Israelis and Palestinians.

“There were some passionate exchanges and contributions from the floor representing very diverse views.

“It takes courage to make peace and the first step is to listen. That is a proper requirement for everyone who is concerned with the long term future and flourishing of all the Israeli and Palestinian people.

“We hope that the opinion, prayers and righteous action of people of faith and goodwill could yet help bring all sides together on a path to a lasting peace.

“It is my hope, and that of the Ecumenical Planning group who arranged the conference, that the weekend was a small contribution to understanding, and an encouragement to people of faith to pray and work for peace.”

There has been much angry debate over the issue on the cathedral’s Facebook page, on which Mr Dorber’s statement is also posted – although administrators have posted an intention to close the conversation at 9pm on Tuesday.

Jews and Christians for free speech on Israel and Palestine

November 07, 2016

We, Christians and Jews who advocate for justice for Palestinians, would like to put on record our admiration for the Dean of Lichfield, with a group of local Christians from other churches, in hosting the festival ‘Holding Palestine in the Light’ in Lichfield Cathedral last month, despite opposition from some quarters.

We regret the intemperate attacks to which the hosts were subjected. The language used and the opinions expressed would be rejected by many – including many Jews – in this country.

There were Jews among the members of a group from Liverpool, twinned with the West Bank village of Bil’in, who delivered an exhibition of Palestinian children’s photos to Lichfield Cathedral for the festival.

The founding chair of the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community was moved to send a message of support saying: “Many Jews, including many in religious communities like ours, welcome discussions like this conference.”

We find it disquieting that the Lichfield conference has been seized on by those who seek to silence criticism of Israeli policies. The Israeli government’s near half century occupation, with its appropriation of Palestinian land and resources for Israeli use, and its abrogation of Palestinians’ basic human rights, is conducted in direct contravention of several international laws including the Fourth Geneva Convention.

All around us there are attempts to equate criticism of Israeli government policies with antisemitism. This form of censorship seeks to halt legitimate discourse about the history and politics of Israel and Palestine.

Whether we are Christians or Jews – secular or observant – our core values are ultimately based on the Hebrew scriptures as well as the values of the Enlightenment.

“. . . let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Amos 5, v 24.

The oppression of Palestinians by a succession of Israeli governments is neither just nor righteous and it is not antisemitic to point this out, to speak truth to power. It is our duty as Jews, as Christians – indeed as citizens – to work for a just peace for all in Israel-Palestine.

Naomi Wayne & Glyn Secker, Jews for Justice for Palestinians

Charlotte Marshall, Kairos Britain

Bishop Richard Llewellin

Chris Rose

Amos Trust

Prof Mary Grey

Patron: Friends of Sabeel UK

Bishop Michael Doe

Contacts: Naomi Wayne (naomi@jfjfp.com) and Charlotte Marshall (info@kairosbritain.org.uk)

Jews and Christians Join Forces to Counter Claims of Antisemitism

Press Release
November 07, 2016

FOLLOWING a furious row on social media, activists have stepped in to defend the organisers of an event at Lichfield Cathedral.

Last month academics, church leaders, a rabbi and a retired diplomat spoke at the event, titled ‘Holding Palestine in the Light’.

But many people posted accusations of antisemitism on the cathedral’s facebook page – one went so far as to call it a ‘hate fest’.

Jews for Justice for Palestinians has warmly praised the event organisers, and also the cathedral for hosting the event, in the face of widespread opposition from those supporters of Israel who routinely criticise anything seen as supporting Palestinian rights.

Spokesperson Naomi Wayne said: “We deplore this attempt to silence criticism of Israeli policies and behaviour and to conflate any such criticism with antisemitism.

“Jews for Justice for Palestinians advocates for equality and a just peace for all the peoples in Israel-Palestine.

“We have canvassed some Christian organisations and leaders to join with us in a statement, which some have graciously agreed to do.

“It is not antisemitic to point out when a nation state – in this case Israel – breaks international law and deprives an occupied people of their basic human rights.”

Contacts Naomi Wayne for JfJfP naomi@jfjfp.com

Charlotte Amos for Kairos Britain info@kairosbritain.org.uk

Holding Palestine in the light: the context of the conflict

The Cathedral is hosting a conference on the Israel/Palestine Conflict and the prospect of peace on the weekend of Friday 7 – Sunday 9 October. There will be a series of keynote speakers and related book sales focusing on Israel/Palestine. You will find a full program below.

Join us for what promises to be an important and thought-provoking weekend!

To buy tickets, pop into The Shop at No. 9, telephone 01543 306150 or email: shop@lichfield-cathedral.org.

Venue key:

A       Wade Street Church, Lichfield, WS13 6HL

B       College Hall, The Close, Lichfield, WS13 7LD

C       Lichfield Cathedral, The Close, Lichfield, WS13 7LD

D       The Old Stables Conference Centre, The Close, Lichfield, WS13 7LD

Programme:

Also in the Cathedral there are 2 free exhibitions: photographs entitled ‘Silent Voices’ and Christian Aid.
‘Living with Conflict’ – This event has unfortunately been cancelled; if you have already purchased a ticket you may receive a full refund, or attend the simultaneous ‘Peace and Justice’ lecture in the Cathedral.

NOTE

 

 * John Collier [L] writes an all-out pro-Israel blog at ‘Beyond the  Great  Divide‘.

 He also writes an occasional blog for Times of Israel, recently on ‘BDS lies’ and antisemitism in the Labour Party.