wfn.org | ACNS3755 Joint Statement on Antisemitism by the Presidents of

[Anglican Communion News Service <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3755     |     MIDDLE EAST     |	  27 JANUARY 2004 

Joint Statement on Antisemitism by the Presidents of the 
Council of Christians and Jews

[ACNS source: Council of Christians and Jews] Since its inception sixty
years ago during the darkest days of World War Two, the Council of
Christians and Jews (CCJ) has continued to confront the evil of
antisemitism with a message of healing and mutual respect between our
communities.

We believe the warm friendship between Britain's Christian and Jewish
leaders - nourished by the work of CCJ at local level - has had an
influence that extends beyond our two faiths. It has helped to set a
tone for tolerance and respectful diversity across religious and ethnic
boundaries in Britain.

Today, however, antisemitism is resurfacing as a phenomenon in many
parts of the world. There have been fatal attacks on Jewish people,
destruction and desecration of synagogues and cemeteries and the
firebombing of Jewish schools. Incitement to hatred and violence against
Jewish people has increased.

Britain has been less affected than many other countries but has
certainly not been immune. We recognise that many in the Jewish
community feel vulnerable and afraid. They seek and deserve the support
that we as religious leaders can offer.

It is against this background that, as the Presidents of CCJ, we agree
the following:

Antisemitism is abhorrent. It is an attempt to dehumanise a part of
humanity by making it a scapegoat for shared ills. We reject utterly the
politics of hate and we pledge ourselves once more to combat
antisemitism and all forms of racism, prejudice and xenophobia. 
We celebrate the fact that Jewish people have made a vast contribution
to humanity; that Judaism is a valued voice in the conversation of
mankind; and that, along with people of other faiths, Jews and
Christians are called by God to work for peace, human dignity and
respect for all people. 
We recognise that the suffering of the Jewish people is a stain on the
history of Europe. Today, our total rejection of antisemitism, amid
evidence of its resurgence, is a signal that we will not permit it to
stain our continent's future as it has its past. This is our common
pledge and one we call on others to join. 
We acknowledge that criticism of government policy in Israel, as
elsewhere, is a legitimate part of democratic debate. However such
criticism should never be inspired by antisemitic attitudes, extend to a
denial of Israel's right to exist or serve as justification for attacks
against Jewish people around the world. 
We share with so many others a deep longing for peace, justice and
reconciliation in the Holy Land and we believe that achieving this would
help to make it harder for antisemitism to flourish. 
As religious leaders we reject the misuse of religion and religious
language in seeking to address political challenges. We seek instead to
speak and be heard together in our shared confidence that, in the mercy
of God, the wounds of the world can be healed. 

Signed by the joint Presidents of the Council of Christians and Jews:

The Archbishop of Canterbury
The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
The Chief Rabbi
The Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain
The Moderator of the free Churches' Council
The Moderator of the Church of Scotland
Rabbi Dr Albert Friedlander

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 7,500 journalists and other readers around
the world.

For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html

To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your address, please click here:
http://mh.epicom.org/scripts/c.php?L=acns&E=wfn-editors@wfn.org