"More than a dozen national Jewish agencies, including the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, have issued a statement strongly criticizing a Presbyterian Church (USA) document that replaces a PCUSA critique of anti-Jewish bias, issued just one month prior. The revised document, according to the Jewish statement, “is infused with the very bias that the original statement condemned.” The Jewish agencies note “with profound hurt” that the “new season of mutual understanding and dialogue” called for by the 2006 Presbyterian General Assembly “has indeed not yet arrived.” The 2008 Presbyterian Church General Assembly opens in San Jose, California. JCPA Associate Executive Director Ethan Felson, who will be in attendance, called the revision of the PCUSA document 'a very troubling development that we know is similarly discouraging to our many friends in the church.'" More
Also the Union for Reformed Judaism and other Jewish organizations have sent a letter to Stated Clerk Kirkpatrick:
"Dear Reverend Kirkpatrick-
Candor compels us to respond immediately and clearly to the “expanded” and “revised” publication of “Vigilance against Anti-Jewish Ideas and Bias,” and to tell you as plainly as we know how that the new statement marks a new low-point in Presbyterian-Jewish relations.
While we received what now seems to have been a draft of the statement with optimism and appreciation for its clear awareness of the sensitivities in the Jewish community, the revised statement that was just released is deeply troubling theologically, politically, and personally. The revised statement, which is currently prominently displayed on your website, does more to excuse anti-Semitism and foster anti-Jewish motifs then it does to dispel them. And to speak frankly, the revised statement leaves us with a deep suspicion regarding the motivations behind replacing the initial statement – which the Jewish community warmly welcomed – with a document which you surely knew would cause deep angst. Friends, or even dialogue partners, do not engage in actions that can so easily and plausibly be seen as "bait and switch" tactics." More
Hat Tip to Will Spotts
2 comments:
It is unconscionable to have released an article about the importance of addressing and healing antisemitism within the faith and then revising it in such a way to turn it into a document which calls supporters of Israel "oppressors" and even attempts to redefine antisemitism as something different from anti-judaism. This will go down as another historic antisemitic incident of false accusation and betrayal this time perpetrated by the PCUSA. Documents which ignore the responsibility of Palestinians for actions which include the deliberate bombing of schools, buses, and missile firings - attacks directed solely at civilians - crimes which are unacceptable even in wartime - while at the same time criticizing the attempts of Israel to defend herself will always be seen as obviously one-sided and contemptible. This same document is displayed prominently even proudly as Presbyterian policy towards Jewish people. It is obvious why the Jewish community is appalled by this policy, the way it was done yes, but most especially its content. Vile. Immoral.
Thank You, anonymous, I wish you had left your name, but you have stated the truth exactly as it is.
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