Chief rabbi: Anti-Zionists are also anti-Jewish
Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the UK and Commonwealth, told a conference in Jerusalem yesterday: “If you are anti-Zionist, you are also anti-Jewish. But more than that, you’re anti-Judaism.” The conference was hosted by the Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, and attended by prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu. “Today, anti-Zionism is the new antisemitism,” the chief rabbi said. He also praised the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, adding: “Every single country should be adopting it, together with every organisation within every country.” Jewish News report here.
Pope: Stop hostilities in Ukraine and Gaza now
Pope Leo XIV appealed yesterday for an end to hostilities in Ukraine and Gaza, asking for dialogue, the cessation of violence, the freedom of Israeli hostages and for humanitarian law to be respected. His appeal comes as both Russia and Ukraine launched drone attacks against one another, despite claims from Moscow that it was finalising its own peace proposal to end the war that has been raging for three years. “I forcefully renew the appeal to stop the war and to support every initiative for dialogue and peace,” Leo said, and asked the world to join him “in praying for peace in Ukraine and wherever there is suffering from war”. Report here.
Archbishops: we cannot stand by to watch Gaza cruelty
Two Church of Ireland archbishops say the world must no longer stand by and watch the cruel starvation and bombardment of innocents in Gaza. Yesterday, Archbishops John McDowell and Michael Jackson issued a statement: “It is with outrage that we watch the desperation, dislocation, and defenceless resident population of Gaza who feel they have been abandoned by the world. The international community must grasp reality and respond as never before.” They paid tribute to the resilient staff of Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, which is run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and has reopened after being bombed on Palm Sunday, and said they would continue to support its work. Full statement here.
Rebel quits Board of Deputies
Daniel Grossman, a member of the UK’s largest Jewish body, has resigned, saying it had “failed to act morally and failed to represent the increasing diversity of opinion within the British Jewish community” about Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza. Grossman, 21, a student, was one of 36 elected members of the Board of Deputies facing disciplinary proceedings over criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Last month they signed an open letter saying Israel’s soul was “being ripped out” by the war. Grossman told The Guardian: “Increasing numbers of people are recognising that Israel’s actions in Gaza cannot be justified as purely self-defence. They seemingly want to declare a perpetual war against Palestinian civilians with the goal of ethnically cleansing them from the Gaza Strip.”
UK Progressive Judaism: We support Zionism but can criticise Israel
UK Progressive Judaism, which formed last month with the merger of Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism, says most Jews in Britain are troubled by what is happening in Gaza. The group is led by Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy. “We are a Zionist movement — that is, we are committed to there being a Jewish, liberal, pluralist, democratic state in our historic homeland,” Rabbi Levy says. “One of the things that is distinctive about us is that we think we are stronger for being willing to speak about how difficult this is, and that we do not see criticism of Israel as an act of disloyalty.” Progressive Judaism represents about one-third of Jews affiliated to synagogues. Guardian report here.
Quran case ‘reintroducing a blasphemy law’
The decision to prosecute a man for burning the Quran is “tantamount to reintroducing a blasphemy law” in Britain, Westminster magistrates were told yesterday. Hamit Coskun, 50, allegedly shouted “Islam is religion of terrorism” and “Quran is burning” as he held the Islamic text aloft outside the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge, west London, in February. Coskun denied a religiously aggravated public order offence and an alternative charge. Katy Thorne KC, defending, said: “The prosecution … is seeking to introduce a law unknown to this land, namely blasphemy in relation to Islam.” Blasphemy laws were abolished in England and Wales in 2008 and in Scotland in 2021. The trial continues. Times report here.
400th anniversary of church with Livingstone link
The nonconformist church where the explorer and missionary David Livingstone preached in 1839 has celebrated its 400th anniversary. The congregation of what is now Epping United Reformed Church were joined by former worshippers for a concert, a history talk and messages relayed via video link with its twin parish in Zimbabwe. Another high-profile visitor to the church, in 1920, was Dame Margaret Lloyd George, first wife of the Liberal prime minister David Lloyd George, who unveiled a window and tablet in memory of members killed in the First World War. Report here.
Christian photographer allowed to refuse same-sex ceremonies
A Christian wedding photographer has been granted permission to refuse to cover same-sex ceremonies in New York. A federal judge blocked the authorities from enforcing laws that would have forced Emilee Carpenter from going against her religious beliefs as a condition of her business operation. She had claimed that the state’s law preventing non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity violated her free speech. Report here.
US pastor on $60m fraud charges
A pastor has been charged with what is said to be one of the largest cases of fraud in the United States. Theodore Mucuranyana runs the Hope of Life International Church in Phoenix, Arizona, which supports east African migrants. Twenty other people are also charged with billing the Arizona Healthcare cost containment system which provides treatments for mental health and drug abuse. It is alleged the invoices claimed were for people who were either dead or in prison and as a result more than $60 million was fraudulently claimed. Report here.
Beatboxing nuns go viral
Two Brazilian nuns have gone viral after performing an impromptu dance session during a Catholic television programme. Sisters Marizele Cassiano and Marisa de Paula were talking on Brazilian TV about a vocational retreat when they launched into a routine with singing, beatbox — using voices to create rhythms — and dance moves. “With Sister Marisa, if you start a beat, she will dance,” Sister Marizele told Associated Press. “It was very simple, spontaneous. The sisters are dedicated to helping young people who are struggling with drug addiction.
