A dialogue and reconciliation group, set up by St George’s church in Leeds has met with members of the Jewish community in Leeds to discuss anti-Semitism and hear the views of local Jewish people.
Five members of the Jewish community met with ten members of the St George's Dialogue and Reconciliation Network, a group of church members interested in promoting peace and reconciliation in Israel / Palestine and in the Middle East generally.
David Kibble, a Reader at St George’s who chaired the discussion, said: “A number from the church visited Auschwitz a few years ago with members of the Jewish community. Until then no-one in the church knew anything about the anti-Semitism that existed in the church’s history.”
Mike Fligg one of the Jewish community, (pictured with a member of St George's, Isabelle Grear), talked about the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism and then explained why many Jews see Jeremy Corbyn and some members of the 'hard left' as displaying anti-Semitism.
At the end of the meeting there was agreement on three points, says David Kibble. “Firstly, that Christians should support their Jewish colleagues as fellow members of an Abrahamic faith.
"Second, the group affirmed that anti-Semitism and any form of racism are wrong. All are created by God and are one another’s brothers, sisters and neighbours.
"Third, it was agreed that there is no problem in criticising the practices and policies of Israel provided people do so in the same way as they might do those of any other country.”