A series of readings produced by a church body for Christians at Lent has aroused concern over their negative portrayal of Israel.
Both the Board of Deputies and the Council of Christians and Jews have taken issue with some of the material published online by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, an umbrella group for different denominations.
The readings focus on the situation of Christians in the Middle East over six weeks, with separate readings on “Israel” and “Palestine”.
The Palestine reading contrasts the law of return allowing Jews to settle in Israel with a Christian Israeli who is restricted from bringing her Palestinian husband to live in the country.
It states that “Palestinian Christians on both sides of the separation barrier have borne the brunt of discrimination, occupation and political instability”.
The Israel reading says that Israel’s image as a wealthy developed country often “hides” inequality and deprivation.
It cites the hypothetical case of Max, an immigrant from the Ukraine who falls into drug addiction and delinquency in Tel Aviv until he is rescued by Christians and decides to “turn to Christ”. It does not say whether Max was originally Jewish.
CCJ director Jane Clements said that “the issue of conversion is particularly problematic, especially given the context of Israeli society in which it appears”.
The council had agreed “some possible ways forward with CTBI, she said. “We will also be working more closely with CTBI on issues of conversion and antisemitism.”
Board of Deputies representatives met senior staff and trustees from CBTI yesterday following concerns expressed over the material.
According to a joint statement released by the two organisations, the Board welcomed a commitment by CTBI to include further material that "will offer other perspectives on the situation of Christians in the complex situation that exists in the Middle East”.
During the discussions, the Board “stressed how deeply concerned they are for the plight of Christian communities in the Middle East, and CTBI reaffirmed its opposition to all forms of anti-Semitism such as is being witnessed in parts of Europe”.
Lent begins later this month.
