Friends

"I have followed your career and ministry for many years now and by all standards it has been blessed, brave and controversial! I have not always agreed with your take on Israel but am prepared to accept your right to speak out freely. That is why I believe the imposition of silence on you to be wrong." The Rt Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Carey of Clifton, retired Archbishop of Canterbury

“Reverend Stephen Sizer seems to have come under attack by certain individuals intent on discrediting the excellent work that Stephen does in highlighting the injustices of the Palestinian Israeli situation, in particular by his very thorough analysis of “Christian Zionism”. Might I suggest that such criticism is part of a wider pattern of demonising those who dare to stand up and speak out against Zionism, a philosophy that precludes the existence of the state of Palestine? … Active and well informed individuals such as Reverend Stephen Sizer, withstand a considerable amount of inappropriate criticism. Indeed many MPs and Peers are also attacked… I do admire the excellent work that he does and personally, I would give no credence at all to any claims that he is anti-Semitic.” The Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Islington North.



“I am quite clear in my own mind that Stephen is not anti-Semitic, nor has he said or written anything that could possibly be construed to be anti-Semitic. Thus the central thrust of the Board of Deputies’ complaint – that Stephen has made anti-Semitic statements and/or republished the anti-Semitic sentiment of others –simply does not stand up to scrutiny.” The Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa and Primate of the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East



“Stephen has devoted a great deal of his intellectual and theological gifts to resisting every endeavour to provide a religious and specifically Biblical justification for Zionism.  Holding such a view is not and should not be treated as anti-Semitic.  His target includes those Christians who believe the Bible supports the Zionist vision.  Stephen has sought to de-construct any religious/theological wall preventing us facing the difficult questions of justice for Palestinian people in the Holy Land.  This important, if controversial work,  has the support of some key Jewish thinkers and activists. These strongly held views have not prevented Stephen from a clear commitment to the peace and well-being of all the people in the Holy Land and of all whatever their ethnic and political identity. He may be a controversial figure but he is a courageous and godly man.” The Rt Revd John Gladwin, retired Bishop of Guildford.

“I have known Stephen for over thirty years. I know him as a man of integrity and forthright views with the courage to express those views. He has always been measured , and his message is, and has been, one of Christian faith and the love of truth. His books and his articles are suffused  with objective discipline. There is nothing in them, or him, that could be remotely construed as anti-Jewish, anti-Jew, anti-Semite or even anti Israel as a state.” The Rt Revd Riah Abu El Assal, retired Bishop of Jerusalem.


"No doubt Stephen Sizer’s detractors are acting in good faith, and I agree with them that antisemitism must be confronted. But they are regrettably misguided in their allegations about Stephen Sizer. He is in no sense antisemitic, and instead is fully in sympathy with those who seek to eradicate all forms of Jew-hatred in the modern world... Having worked with the Counter Terrorist Agency of the Crown Prosecution Service, I am fully in agreement with such sentiments. We in the Jewish community must be vigilant to insure that our community does not suffer from attack. But it would be a travesty of justice to construe Stephen Sizer’s mistake in linking an offensive website to his Facebook and not removing it immediately as a deliberate attempt to encourage racial hatred." Rabbi Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Professor Emeritus of Judaism, University of Wales.

"Stephen you have single handedly done more to change this conversation about Christian Zionism than anyone I know.  I think there have been about a dozen of us in the West (fewer?) who have raised this alarm. But you have been in the lead." Dr Gary M. Burge, Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College and Graduate School.

"There was not a hint of anti-Semitism in anything Stephen wrote or spoke about. On the contrary, the message was always clear – a concern that some of Israel’s policies and ideologies can create a misguided association of Judaism with dispossession, colonisation and discrimination. This is why there are always many Jews, like myself, who work in close association and collaboration with Stephen for the sake of a universal goal of bringing peace and justice to Israel and Palestine. This is also why many progressive Jews read and rely on Stephen’s scholarly work and come in great numbers to attend his talks.", Dr Ilan Pappe, Director, European Centre for Palestine Studies, Exeter University.


"I await your vindication. You are a messenger just like Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela. Unlike them you may find that in this life you will not be accepted except by a few but in years to come the world will realize you were a champion of justice and human rights. Do what is right in God's eyes. May the Holy Spirit give you strength. Keep your roots and values in God's word in a loving relationship with Jesus. You are always in my thoughts and prayers." Len Rodgers, Director Emeritus of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding, Founder/President-Emeritus Venture International, Founder of World Vision Middle East

"I am astonished at the fact that this charge has been made when it has been so clear from former investigations that he has done nothing to warrant it. I suppose that the disturbing thing is the way that the moment a person questions the policies or actions of Zionists, they are accused of being anti-semitic. My grandfather experienced that as Bishop of Jerusalem in the post first world war period when he supported some of the Rabbis who were questioning the philosophy of Zionism. He was immediately branded as anti-semitic. It has been my own experience, on the occasions when I have challenged the biblical interpretation of the Christian Zionists, that there has been an unreasoning and often almost violent reaction, so I have sympathy with the situation in which Stephen finds himself." Revd Canon David MacInnes, former Rector, St Aldates, Oxford

"Stephen - there are a lot more ... who not only don't think you are anti-Semitic but know that you are a deeply principled, brave, intelligent and all together wonderful human being. And that we are going to need others to step up if we are to avoid further terrible injustices, particularly for Palestinians. Let our collective good will embrace you and remember God's love." Sara Apps, Campaigns and Communications Officer, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and co-founder of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East. 

“I have read with great sadness the complaint which came to you through the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Stephen’s response.  I am afraid there is a pattern across many sectors of society of mobilising such complaints against people who criticise Israeli policy… Stephen is not in the least way anti Semitic.  This is a disgraceful and completely false allegation and those who have made it should be held to account for their wickedness.” Clare Short, Former Secretary of State for International Development.


"The Council of Christians and Jews welcomes the outcome of the conciliation process between the Board of Deputies and Dr. Sizer, and appreciates the care taken by all sides to achieve that. We hope that this positive conclusion of a difficult matter will help to further mutual understanding and  good relationships between Christians and Jews in this country." The Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, Chairman of the Council of Christians and Jews. 








Antisemitic? We don’t think so either

Roger Allingham-Mills 
Tanas Alqassis, Chairman, Arab Vision International
The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Anis, Primate of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East
Revd Andrew Ashdown, Interfaith Advisor, Winchester Diocese
Right Revd Riah Abo El Assal, 13th Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem
Fr Robert Assaly, Priest in the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
Dr Bishara Awad, Founder and President Emeritus, Bethlehem Bible College
Rev Michael Bentley, retired Baptist minister
Dr Mark Braverman, Author of the Fatal Embrace
Canon Dr Mike Butterworth, former Academic Registrar, Oak Hill College
David Carter, Director, Middle East Evangelical Concern
Anne Clayton, Coordinator, Friends of Sabeel UK
Rabbi Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Professor Emeritus of Judaism, University of Wales
Michael Connarty MP, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
Jeremy Corbyn MP, Islington North
Katherine Cunningham, Moderator, IPMN, Presbyterian Church USA
Dr Martin Davie, Theological Advisor to the House of Bishops
Professor Philip Davies, Department of Biblical Studies, University of Sheffield
Professor Scott Elias, Royal Holloway, University of London
Adam Estle, Executive Director of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding
Right Revd John Gladwin, former Bishop of Guildford and Chairman of Citizens Advice
Anthony Gratrex, member of Christ Church, Virginia Water
Tony Greenstein, Founding Member, Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Professor Mary Grey, Emeritus Professor of Theology, University of Wales
Dr Jeff Halper, Co-founder of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
Hank Hanegraaff, President, Christian Research Institute
Catherine Hestletine, CEO, Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK
Revd Phil Hill, Nazareth Evangelical Theological Seminary
Canon Garth Hewitt, Founder, Amos Trust
Revd Dr Stuart Jennings, Free Church Chaplain, University of Warwick
Lawrence Jones, former member of Christ Church, Virginia Water
Dr Ghada Karmi, Fellow of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, Exeter University
Manfred W. Kohl, Ambassador, Overseas Council
Dr Attorney Jonathan Kuttab, Chairman of the Board, Bethlehem Bible College
Venerable Michael Lawson, Chairman, Church of England Evangelical Council
Revd Canon David MacInnes, Former Rector of St Aldates, Oxford
Anne Martin, member of Christ Church, Virginia Water
Jeremy Moodey, Chief Executive, Embrace the Middle East
Craig Murray, former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan
Diana Neslen, Ex-officio, Jews for Justice for Palestinians
Professor Ilan Pappe, Director, European Centre for Palestine Studies, Exeter University
Len Rodgers, Founder of World Vision Middle East, Founder Venture International 
Revd Chris Rose, Director of the Amos Trust
Canon John Salter, Vice Chair, Garden Tomb Association
Revd Jack Sara, President, Bethlehem Bible College
Clare Short, Former Secretary of State for International Development
Rabbi Dr Stanley Howard Schwartz, Hospice Chaplain and retired Army Chaplain
David Toorawa, Chair, Friends of Sabeel UK
Revd Dr Donald Wagner, National Director, Friends of Sabeel North America
Revd John Woodger, Retired vicar, St Mary's Watford

News Sources:

Council of Christians and Jews Statement
Channel 4: Are Jews still persecuted in Britain today?
Church Times: Conciliators to work on complaint 
Church Times:  Vicar is not Anti-Semitic
Church Times:  Rabbi Clears Vicar of Anti-Semitism
Church of England Newspaper: Sizer complaint
Jewish Chronicle: Bishop: anti-Zionist vicar ‘no antisemite'
Jewish Chronicle: Sizer: I am ready to meet the Board of Deputies any time

Jews for Justice for Palestinians Digging for dirt: the campaign against Stephen Sizer
Phil Groom (member of CCJ): Jeremiah's Underpants
Phil Groom (member of CCJ): Dr Sizer is cleared
Craig Murray: Defend Stephen Sizer 


Commendations 

“He has recently explained, however, that he ‘categorically reject[s] any position that threatens the territorial integrity of Israel as a sovereign nation…. Stephen Sizer’s work has the merit of clearly setting out the issues that divide the two sides, and furthermore doing so without the rancour or sheer nastiness of tone typical of the polemics in the conflict.” (p.571). Anthony Julius, Chairman of the London Consortium and a Visiting Professor at Birbeck College, University of London. His book Trials of the Diaspora, is a magisterial 800 page examination of the history of Anti-Semitism in England.

“I am glad to commend Stephen Sizer’s ground-breaking critique of Christian Zionism. His comprehensive overview of its roots, its theological basis and its political consequences is very timely. I myself believe that Zionism, both political and Christian, is incompatible with biblical faith. Stephen’s book has helped to reinforce this conviction.” John Stott, (deceased) former Rector Emeritus, All Soul’s, Langham Place, London, the principal framer of the Lausanne Covenant (1974) and founder of the Langham Partnership International.

“This is a very fine and important book.  All Christians who believe that Jesus favoured peacemakers, should read it and realise what terrible harm is being done in the name of Christianity.  And all who are concerned about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict should read it to understand how Christian Zionism disables the US as fair minded mediator.  European foreign policy thinkers should read it,because this distortion of US political space, puts a greater responsibility on European governments to stand up for justice and international law” Clare Short, former British Secretary of State for International Development

More than sixty bishops, clergy, politicians and academics have endorsed my books Christian Zionism and Zion's Christian Soldiers


Responding to the Hasbarafia

For some while I've compared the hasbara strategy to the lights of a stop sign. They begin with green - Intimidation. When that fails they move to orange - Isolation. And if that fails they move to red - Incrimination. Kevin Miller (one of the brilliant script writers for With God on our Side) is working on an expanded list which, since all good ideas are borrowed, I've adapted and incorporated into this scheme:

1. Ignore -- they always start by hoping you'll just go away.
2. Insult -- if you don't go away, they'll ridicule you or make you out to be a nut.
3. Intimidate -- when mockery fails, the gloves come off and they bombard you with emails.
4. Isolate -- then they seek to divide and conquer by intimidating others to isolate you.
5. Incriminate -- they frame or smear you and force you to defend yourself with legal fees.
6. Incarcerate -- when all else fails, as judge and jury, they put your life in the crosshairs.
7. Immolate -- and it will probably appear as suicide (because eliminate begins with an 'e').

Like many others, I have the bruises from the first five and I know a few who have made it from the sixth to the seventh 'heaven' for speaking out for justice, peace and reconciliation. Although it is painful to receive anonymous phone calls, emails or letters, sometimes it becomes farcical. A few years back I was asked to co-lead a Meditteranean cruise to Greece, Turkey and Israel-Palestine for MasterSun. Called Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, critics who didn't want us praying for the Palestinians as well, bombarded the company with emails and phone calls warning them to dis-invite me or there would be riots in Ashkelon and Haifa when the ship docked. In the end, when MasterSun  refused, one Pentecostal pastor predicted that if I was allowed on the ship it would sink.

When the smears are hitting the fan, I'm reminded of a quotation by the late Justice Hugo Black of the US Supreme Court who reportedly once said, "the widest possible dissemination of information from diverse and antagonistic sources is essential to the welfare of the public."

Just because my father was a working class socialist, does that make me a communist? Because I have raved about the music of Aharit Hayamin am I a  Zionist? Does it make me complicit in the illegal Jewish Settlement programme because I corresponded with their producer and have allowed them to use my photographs taken at one of the gigs? Just because I appeared in a debate on Revelation TV, does that mean I endorse the prosperity gospel? I don't think so. Read my lips, I repudiate holocaust denial and anti-Semitism unconditionally, unequivocally and unambiguously.


Repudiating anti-Semitism

For the record, over the years, on this blog I have:

• lamented the suffering of Christians under Islamic rule here and here. 
• repudiated suicide bombers and terrorism here and here. 
• repudiated holocaust deniers here, here, here and here.
• repudiated anti-Semitism here, here and here.
• repudiated racism and the British National Party (BNP) here.
• distinguished anti-Zionism from anti-Semitism here. 
• advocated a diplomatic solution to resolving tensions with Iran here and here.
• advocated for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by peaceful means based on the implementation of international law here, here and here.
• commended the work of the Council of Christians and Jews.
• Supported the ministry of CMJ and Jews for Jesus. 

To clarify my position in my book Zion's Christian Soldiers, I wrote the following:

"It is true that at various times in the past, churches and church leaders have tolerated or incited anti-Semitism and even attacks on Jewish people. Racism is a sin and without excuse. Anti-Semitism must be repudiated unequivocally. However, we must not confuse apples and oranges. Anti-Zionism is not the same thing as anti-Semitism despite attempts to broaden the definition. Criticising a political system as racist is not necessarily racist. Judaism is a religious system. Israel is a sovereign nation. Zionism is a political system. These three are not synonymous. I respect Judaism, repudiate anti-Semitism, encourage interfaith dialogue and defend Israel’s right to exist within borders recognised by the international community and agreed with her neighbours. But like many Jews, I disagree with a political system which gives preference to expatriate Jews born elsewhere in the world, while denying the same rights to the Arab Palestinians born in the country itself." 

I concur wholeheartedly with John Stott,

“Away then with anti-Semitism! It has been an appalling scandal in the history of Europe, and even the Christian church has been implicated. Christians should be ‘pro-Semitic’, in the sense that we recognize how the people of Israel have been highly favoured by God. We Gentiles are their debtors, Paul wrote (Romans 15:27). We owe them a huge spiritual debt, especially in their bequest to the world of both the Scriptures and the Christ."

On a daily basis I count myself truly blessed (Matthew 5:11) and honoured to follow the Good Shepherd (John 15:18-19).