A Canadian Anglican archbishop explains his church’s new policy on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians

"It is an issue that we cannot turn away from."
Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson
Gregory Kerr-Wilson, the Anglican Archbishop of Calgary explains why his church, with over a million followers, wants reconciliation with Jews but has voted to condemn what he feels are human rights abuses by the Israeli government against Palestinians. (Submitted photo)

As The CJN Daily reported earlier this week, the Anglican Church of Canada adopted a strongly worded resolution condemning what its members believe are systemic human rights abuses by Israel against Palestinians.

After some Jewish leaders criticized the Church’s statement as “misleading” and “disappointing”, the Anglican Archbishop of Calgary, Gregory Kerr-Wilson—who moved the original resolution—now acknowledges the statement wasn’t perfect. In fact, his church should have spent more time in consultation with Jewish groups to get the wording right. Nevertheless, he remains convinced they must speak out against Israeli government policies, which he says force Palestinian families out of the homes they’ve lived in for centuries.

The archbishop joins The CJN Daily to explain his position.

What we talked about

  • Hear Monday’s interview with Rabbah Gila Caine of Edmonton’s Temple Beth Ora on why she told Canada’s Anglican Church their resolution on Israel would be “offensive” to Jews, on The CJN Daily
  • Read the final resolution passed by the Anglican Church of Canada on Peace and Justice in Palestine and Israel on July 1, 2023
  • Learn more about the Winnipeg man who remembers the 1984 bombing of the AIMA Jewish community headquarters in Argentina, on The CJN Daily

Credits

The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our intern is Ashok Lamichhane (@jesterschest on Twitter).Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here.

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