A PRIEST who posted a link on social media to an
article, "9/11: Israel did it", has apologised.
The Vicar of Christ Church, Virginia Water, in
Surrey, the Revd Stephen Sizer, is reported to have posted the
article on Facebook, with the comment: "Is this anti-Semitic? It
raises so many questions."
A spokesman at the Church of England's communications
office said on Thursday of last week: "These comments would rightly
be seen as unacceptable whenever they were posted. It is a matter
of deep sorrow and shame that they have been posted in this week of
all weeks.
"The diocese of Guildford, where the Revd Sizer is
licensed, is taking immediate steps to investigate," the spokesman
said. "The diocese is aware of the seriousness of the matter, and
is also in touch with the Board of Deputies of British Jews."
The Vice-President of the Board, Jonathan Arkush,
said on Friday: "Posting a link and giving approval to an article
which in effect accuses Jews of responsibility for the 9/11
atrocity is unquestionably anti-Semitic, just as it is beyond
absurd."
On Friday, Dr Sizer said: "I very much regret and
apologise for the distress caused by the sharing on Facebook of a
link to an article about 9/11 from Wikispooks.
"It was particularly insensitive, in that last week
coincided with Holocaust Memorial Day. I removed the link as soon
as I received adverse feedback, and realised that offence had been
caused.
"I have never believed Israel or any other country
was complicit in the terrorist atrocity of 9/11, and my sharing of
this material was ill-considered and misguided.
"At the request of the diocese, I
will be suspending my use of all social media and blogs with
immediate effect and until further notice."