Christian Charities and Bishops Support British Government’s Israel Sanctions

Christian charities and bishops within the Anglican Communion have aligned with the British government in advocating for sanctions against Israel, following a sustained campaign over nearly two years. The move has been welcomed by leading Christian nonprofits, including the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and Christian Aid, which have long been vocal in their anti-Israel stance. These organizations praised the sanctions as a necessary response to what they describe as Israel’s “long-standing violations of international law.”

Hours after the announcement by British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on September 8, 2026, CAFOD and Christian Aid issued statements supporting the measures. Christian Aid, which operates as the official relief and advocacy agency of 41 churches in Britain and Ireland, highlighted the “ban on importing goods from illegal Israeli settlements” as a significant step in addressing the displacement of Palestinians.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the second-most senior bishop in England, echoed this sentiment during a speech in the House of Lords. He emphasized that “further measures” may still be required against Israel, stating that the call for such action has been made over many years. Cottrell described the sanctions as “just necessary and frankly overdue.”

Prominent Anglican bishops, including Bishop of Gloucester Rachel Treweek and Bishop of Chelmsford Guli Francis-Dehqani, joined the Muslim Council of Britain in endorsing the sanctions. Treweek called Miliband’s statement “brave and courageous,” noting that it reflected “God’s justice, love and mercy.” Francis-Dehqani urged the government to act with “necessary urgency” and to consider additional measures against Israel’s E1 settlement project.

The Church of England and its affiliated Christian charities have a documented history of activism against Israel. In July 2026, the Church of England’s General Synod approved Kairos II, a Palestinian manifesto that condemns Israel as a Jewish supremacist state and frames Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack as a consequence of Israeli occupation. This document has been widely cited by advocates as a theological basis for their position.

The collaboration between religious leaders and the British government underscores the growing influence of anti-Israel advocacy within certain segments of the Anglican Communion. While some Jewish leaders have expressed concern over the sanctions, the continued support from Christian institutions highlights the complex and often polarizing nature of the issue. The situation reflects broader tensions over the role of religion in political and humanitarian discourse, with biblical principles of justice and mercy frequently cited as guiding motivations.

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