Methodist Church adds pro-Israel statement to exhibition after claims of bias

A Methodist church has agreed to include statements detailing Israel’s security concerns in an exhibition it is mounting after complaints of pro-Palestinian bias.

Hinde Street Church had been criticised by the Board of Deputies and the Zionist Federation over the display – entitled “You cannot pass – Life through a dividing wall” – which features a life-size reconstruction of a checkpoint in the separation barrier between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Marie van der Zyl, vice-president of the Board, said the exhibition was “one-sided” and “puts unwelcome and unnecessary strain on Christian-Jewish relations”.

In response, the church agreed to include information prepared by the ZF outlining Israel’s security needs .