Israeli Embassy Warns Kairos II Document Risks Stoking Antisemitism, Warns Church of England

The Israeli Embassy has raised concerns about a Palestinian Christian document, Kairos II, which the Church of England’s General Synod recommended its members consider. The text, which accuses Israel of genocide and describes it as a colonial settler state, has sparked warnings from Israel’s outgoing chargé d’affaires, Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, who met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally. The embassy expressed “grave concerns” over the document, calling it a “deeply troubling text” that rejects the legitimacy of the State of Israel, the world’s only Jewish state.
The Kairos II document does not advance peace or coexistence, according to the embassy. It promotes a one-sided narrative that erases Jewish history and self-determination, applying standards to Israel that would not be demanded of any other country. The language used in the document risks legitimizing hostility towards Israel and creating a more permissive environment for antisemitism, with serious consequences for the well-being and security of British Jews, Israelis, and supporters of Israel.
The embassy also highlighted that the document largely disregards the suffering of Christians under Palestinian terror and erases the experiences of Israeli victims of terrorism, including the atrocities of October 7 and the ongoing trauma of the hostages and their families. Israel remains committed to freedom of religion and the support of Christian communities, as stated by the chargé d’affaires during the meeting.
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s office emphasized her commitment to listening to different perspectives and experiences regarding the situation in Israel and Palestine. She expressed gratitude for the constructive conversation with the Israeli chargé d’affaires and continued to pray for justice, safety, and peace for all Israelis and Palestinians. In her contribution to the Synod debate, the archbishop acknowledged the heartfelt expressions of the lived experiences of Palestinian Christians, noting that while she does not agree with everything in the documents, she listens with compassion and stands in solidarity with them amidst the many injustices.

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