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Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks “deeply concerned” by EAPPI motion



Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks has released the following statement regarding the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, and the motion at the Church of England's General Synod which calls for stronger links between the Church and the programme. Lord Sacks said:


I am deeply concerned about the private members motion being debated at General Synod next week. Were it to be passed it would do serious damage to Jewish-Christian relations in Britain, which have been so positive in recent decades. But that is not my only concern.

The work of EAPPI does not provide its participants with a full reflection of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It presents a one-sided narrative on a complex and difficult issue. It thus fails the test of natural justice: Audi alteram partem, “Listen to the other side.” By minimising Israel’s well-founded fears, it will not advance the cause of peace or an end to the conflict.

The Chief Rabbi's comment appeared in an article in The Times newspaper, which can be read here (behind a paywall).