Overview
- The Church of England General Synod voted to 'hear' the 2025 Palestinian Christian statement Kairos II on Monday, a procedural move that stops short of formally adopting the text.
- Kairos II accuses Israel of practices described in the document as genocide and apartheid and endorses measures such as boycott and divestment, language that critics say challenges Israel’s legitimacy.
- Senior Jewish leaders including Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis condemned the Synod action as 'shameful' and full of falsehood, and Bishop Philip North warned it would worsen antisemitism and alarm local Jewish communities.
- A coalition of Christians has issued a 'Declaration Against Kairos II' calling the text inaccurate and dangerous, while defenders including the Archbishop of Canterbury say engaging the document is necessary to hear Palestinian anguish.
- Church officials stress a legal difference between 'hearing' and 'receiving' the text but opponents say the distinction will be lost outside Synod and the issue may return for further debate amid fears for Jewish–Christian relations and community safety.