JIPR: British Jews’ support for a two state solution drops dramatically
New polling from the Institute of Jewish Policy Research shows that the number of British Jews supporting a two-state solution has declined significantly. In 2010, 78 per cent agreed with the proposal, but in the summer this year, 2025, support had fallen to 49 per cent. The number who disagreed with a two state solution rose from 15 per cent in 2010 to 41 per cent now. In summary, most UK Jews no longer explicitly support a two-state solution, but more UK Jews support a two-state solution than any other option. The JIPR says: “This is a dramatic change of faith by British Jews in a proposal that has been the bedrock of Western policy on Israel-Palestine for decades. Whilst we cannot know for sure, we can hypothesise that the sheer brutality of the October 7 attacks shattered many British Jews’ belief in the idea that Israel could possibly live alongside an independent Palestinian state in the near future; many British Jews now appear to believe that the security risks to Israel are simply too great.” The data is presented in a report here
Prime Minister criticised again after Rosh Hashanah message
The Prime Minister has sent a message to Jewish communities “as we welcome the arrival of Rosh Hashanah”, the Jewish New Year celebrated yesterday and today. He said he reaffirmed “our unwavering commitment to peace, and to the safe return of those still held cruelly. At a time when antisemitism and intolerance persist, let me be clear: we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community. We will always challenge hate, and we will always champion the values of inclusion, dignity and respect”. But he has been criticised by British Jews over his decision to recognise the Palestine state. A leader in the Jewish Chronicle said his real New Year message was to ignore “the pleas of our community” by making his announcement on Palestine, which was a “heavy blow to peace”. Leader is here
Bishops welcome recognition of Palestinian state
The Bishops of Southwark, Chelmsford, Gloucester and Norwich, have welcomed the announcement that the UK has formally recognised a Palestinian state. In a statement, they say the decision does not reward terrorism, but could help undercut extremist narratives and strengthen moderates. The UK’s decision to recognise Palestine was coordinated with similar responses from Canada, Australia, Portugal – and last night, France. The bishops say recognition provides equal status for both peoples: “This decision will not alleviate the horrors unfolding in Gaza today – horrors that a UN Independent Commission of Inquiry described last week as genocide. Neither will it end the intensifying levels of settler violence, house demolition and administrative detention that we are witnessing across the West Bank and East Jerusalem. But, it does offer all Palestinians the hope of a future free from occupation and violence not only for them but for all future generations”. Full statement is here
Last night, at the United Nations, there was a “High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution”, a debate led by France and Saudi Arabia. World leaders joined diplomats for this major event, which marked the 80th anniversary of the UN. President Macron said the end to the war in Gaza was urgent and nothing justifies that war. He said the world is just a few moments away from no longer being able to seize peace:”We can no longer wait.”
Caritas Jerusalem suspends medical operations in Northern Gaza
CAFOD partner, Caritas Jerusalem, issued an urgent statement last evening, suspending medical points in Gaza; The statement reads: “Israeli forces have intensified military operations in northern Gaza over the past week, creating grave risks for our staff. For their safety, we have suspended operations at five of our ten medical points, including our main Medical Center in Al-Shatei’ Refugee Camp. All northern facilities are closed until further notice. Our teams remain active in the south of Gaza, where displaced families are gathering, and we continue to deliver urgent, lifesaving healthcare through five medical points there.” Earlier, it welcomed the UK government’s recognition of a Palestine state saying: “Concrete steps are now urgently needed, to work towards this goal as quickly as possible in support of a more peaceful and secure future for Palestinians and Israelis alike”.
Other news:
Commission ‘expected to take decision’ on next Archbishop of Canterbury this week
Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, a member of the steering committee of the campaign group Save the Parish, says the Crown Nominations Commission, tasked with choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury, is expected to make its recommendation this week. In an article for The Times, he appeals for the appointment to go to someone who will save England’s parish system, saying that “unless there is a significant policy shift, small and rural churches are doomed”. He argues that rich “missionary” parishes in urban settings are being supported instead of poor ones, which have been starved of cash. “The Crown Nominations Commission needs to put forward a genuinely pro-parish successor to the disastrous Justin Welby. Otherwise, for thousands of parish churches all over England, the lights will be going out — for ever”.
New watchdog to monitor hate crime against Muslim women and girls
The Muslim Women’s Network UK is launching a new watchdog next month, to encourage Muslim women and girls to report hate and discrimination. Baroness Gohir told Hyphen Online that the “Muslim Safety Net Service” aims to capture incidents that often go unreported. She said: “We know that 80 per cent of Muslims do not report hate crime incidents. Knowing the true scale really helps to show policymakers how bad the situation is”. The new organisation joins the newly created British Muslim Trust, which will record incidents of anti-Muslim hatred across the UK. But Baroness Gohir told Hyphen Online that the Muslim Women’s Network UK already has an established helpline and reputation, which she hoped would encourage Muslim women to come forward.
Jesuit Refugee Service ‘deeply concerned’ at removal of asylum seekers to France
The Jesuit Refugee Service has issued a statement following the first cases of asylum seekers being returned to France. It says it remains “deeply concerned” by the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding its implementation and urges the UK and French governments “to honour their obligations and uphold the right to seek asylum”. It has spoken out in advance of the “Jubilee of Migrants and Refugees” in Rome on 4-5 October, when a pilgrimage, audience with the Pope and sacrament will “honour migrants and refugees, celebrate their contributions, and increase awareness about the opportunities migration can offer”.
Church in Wales discusses same sex blessings experiment
The Church Times has a comprehensive report of a two day meeting of the Church in Wales, where members of the governing body discussed the church’s experiment allowing blessings of same sex marriage or civil partnerships. The experiment began in 2021 and will end in 2026. Before then, the church will discuss what has happened and decide whether to stop using the liturgy, or continue and make it permanent, or move towards equal marriage. The report outlines contributions from the 27 speakers called at the meeting in Newport, which imposed rules such as no applause and listen, don’t censure and don’t react. One speaker said the take up of the liturgy had been minimal, though there is no data.
Quaker Week 2025 theme ‘Love Your Neighbour’ as resistance to hate
Quaker week, which starts this weekend, will see events and public messages urging people to “Love Your Neighbour”, in responses to growing racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and nationalism. Quaker Houses will host discussions and events, supporting interfaith partners and campaigning for peace and justice. Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “In a time when religious values are often distorted or repurposed for division, Quakers offer a different message: that the principle of Love is written in every human heart. And it calls us to action – not just once a year, but every day.” Details here
New general secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Canon William Agley, a qualified solicitor and priest of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, has been appointed as the new general secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales for a period of five years. He was an official at the Dicastery for the Clergy in Rome from 2012 to 2017, before moving to Hexham. He is taking over from Greg Pope who has held the role for one year and now becomes executive director of the general secretariat.
