Story perspectives

Church of England Synod to Hear Palestine Report Decrying Israel

7/20/2026

Summary

Church Hears Report

Church of England General Synod voted to “hear” the Kairos Palestine II report, which calls Israel a colonial enterprise and accuses it of genocide.
Archbishop Sarah Mullally said the Church will listen with compassion after the motion was changed to “hear” under pressure to give Palestinian voices a platform.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, co-chair of Progressive Judaism, welcomed the engagement while warning the report’s language could shut down conversation about Palestinian Christians.

Summary

Synod Approves Review

The Synod approved a motion to review the Church of England’s investments for ethical compliance with the Israeli occupation.
It also orders dioceses and parishes to study the Kairos Palestine II documents in a new engagement programme.
Voting tallies were 25 bishops for, 0 against, 5 abstentions; 115 clergy for, 20 against, 30 abstentions; and 113 laity for, 27 against, 35 abstentions.

History

Historical Context

Following the 1980s global anti-apartheid divestment surge—exemplified by the 1986 U.S. Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act and university sell-offs—the Church of England’s General Synod in 1995, led by Archbishop George Carey, voted to withdraw about £100 million from firms linked to South Africa, noting the Anti-Apartheid Movement’s 1994 report that 68 % of UK investors still held such stocks.

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Church Hears Report

Church of England General Synod voted to “hear” the Kairos Palestine II report, which calls Israel a colonial enterprise and accuses it of genocide.
Archbishop Sarah Mullally said the Church will listen with compassion after the motion was changed to “hear” under pressure to give Palestinian voices a platform.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, co-chair of Progressive Judaism, welcomed the engagement while warning the report’s language could shut down conversation about Palestinian Christians.

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