Church of England, Kairos Palestine and the Betrayal of British Jews

Dr. Thomas Fretwell responds to the Church of England General Synod’s July 13 vote to accept the Kairos II manifesto, giving vote totals and arguing the document is antisemitic and conflicts with the Church’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism. He contrasts historic Anglican priorities of preaching and sacraments with modern political activism, cites Archbishop Sarah Mullally’s framing of the document as “an expression of pain,” and highlights dissent from Ian Paul, plus criticisms from the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Israeli ambassador George Deek. Fretwell summarises Kairos II’s claims about Israel as a racist colonial enterprise, its lack of accountability for Hamas, its support for BDS and “right of return,” and its attacks on Christian Zionism. He traces Kairos to Palestinian liberation theology, critical theory, Sabeel, and decolonial hermeneutics, warns of revived supersessionism, and calls for broader consultation and a return to Scripture.