From Mr Jeremy Moodey and the Revd Chris Rose
Sir, - As signatories of the Kairos Britain statement launched
at the Greenbelt Festival last weekend, and as people who were also
involved in the document's drafting, we should like to respond to
Frances Waddams of Anglican Friends of Israel (Letters, 23
August).
She asserts that it "seeks to undermine the legitimacy of
Israel". This is simply not true. The full title of the British
document, produced by a committee of Christians from a wide range
of traditions, is "Time for Action: a British Christian response to
A Moment of Truth, the Kairos Palestine document". Issued by
Palestinian Christians in December 2009, and endorsed by all the
Patriarchs and heads of Churches in Jerusalem, including the
Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, Kairos Palestine was, in its own
words, "a word of faith, hope, and love from the heart of
Palestinian suffering". It was the authentic voice of Palestine's
small Christian community, who have borne the brunt of the
oppression and dispossession resulting from Israel's 46-year
occupation of their land.
They described the occupation as "a sin against God and humanity
because it deprives the Palestinians of their basic human rights,
bestowed by God", and called on fellow Christians around the world
to respond in love and compassion to their plight, and to work for
justice.
We strongly reject any allegation that Kairos Palestine or the
Kairos Britain response delegitimises the State of Israel. But what
Kairos does represent is a growing realisation by Christians around
the world that, for the chains of injustice in the Land of the Holy
One to be truly loosened, the illegal settlements and separation
barrier must be dismantled, the occupation must come to an end, and
Israel must start engaging with the Palestinians with a true vision
for peace.
This is the only sure route to giving the Jewish State the
security and stability that it seeks.
JEREMY MOODEY
Chief Executive
Embrace the Middle East
24 London Road West
Amersham, Bucks HP7 0EZ
CHRIS ROSE
Director
Amos Trust
4th Floor, Development House
56-64 Leonard Street
London EC2A 4LT