1.Jeffrey Vernon
The diversity of Jewish opinion is in no way reflected in the Archbishop’s published comments. The Archbishop appears to take the mistaken view that all Jewish people regard Israel as their spiritual home, and that criticisms of Israel’s policies go to the heart of the Jewish experience. The unintended consequence of this standpoint is that the human casualties of the Israeli state and its enforcers (including West Bank settlers) appear to play no part in the Archbishop’s worldview. He cannot bring himself even to express sympathy for Palestinians, for fear of offending Israel’s British supporters, Jewish or gentile. If he would even regard the Jewish and Palestinian (and Lebanese) victims of the ongoing conflict as morally equivalent, this would be welcome. So far, he appears to have an overriding concern with protecting Israel from criticism, in the well-meaning but mistaken belief that this stance will combat discrimination towards a UK faith group. 

British Jews range in their views from unconditional support, to complete indifference. Some of us wish Israel had never been born. Some of us hope for a more democratic progressive Israel. Others dream of one integrated state, two states, or a canton system. Perhaps the Archbishop should pay no attention to any of us. What he should not do is amplify the voices of an Israel right-or-wrong pressure group cloaking their support for ethnic cleansing in a religious or communitarian garb.

2. Adrian Litvinoff
Inadequate. Given Welby’s imminent departure it understandably reads like a holding letter. We should address the new incumbent as soon as possible and strive for some kind of official response, not necessarily a meeting in the first instance.

 

3. Erika Adler
A pathetic response! It would have been helpful to name some of the ’diverse range of Jewish figures with different perspectives on Israel diverse’....very disappointing. But perhaps not surprising given the shambles of the archbishop’s resignation.

4. René Gimpel
As a long-standing, though ordinary member of Jewish Voice for Labour, I am not aware of any report from JVL officers about meeting with the Archbishop fo Canterbury or other senior Church figures. JVL is good at keeping its membership informed, with almost daily bulletins, so I conclude that the Church has not engaged with us. 

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My conclusion is that the responses you have received are evidence of avoiding answering the question, to the point of acting in bad faith.

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Time to step up and pressure the Church further, I would have thought. At the very least, to challenge the institution about its lack of engagement with a variety of oppositional Jewish voices, many of which march under the ’Jewish Bloc for Palestine’ in demonstrations.

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5. Naomi Wayne
My answers to questions i) - iii) are all ’No’. I am writing on my own behalf but am a member of Jews for Justice for Palestinians, and was a founding member of the organisation and on its Executive for many years. I am also a member of Jewish Voice for Labour. Plus, I am cofounder and current trustee/secretary of the charity, the British Shalom-Salaam Trust (www.bsst.org.uk).I am sure that if any discussions had been held with my Jewish friends and colleagues in these organisations, I would have heard about them.

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I want to make another and more general comment. ArchbishopWelby is now a dead duck - anything he does in the next few weeks is irrelevant. The key thing now is to focus on building up support from those senior and middle ranking people in the CoE who are critical of Israel to an degree - going straight to the top right now, or when the new Archbishop is appointed, will not deliver anything very explicit, though it might be a test of the water from the new person. I note that Bishop Graham Usher
was a signatory of the letter described in the Observer and I am sure that I have been told by Jewish friends in Norwich that he is sympathetic to the Palestinians. I would have thought that he and his three co-signatories would be willing to have, even off-the-record, discussion about how to proceed to get a shift in the CoE hierarchy.

PS: It is also crucial to mention, repeatedly, the hostages. They - and their families - have been abandoned entirely by the Israeli government. The campaigning families have been subjected to appalling state abuse - from Ministers and the police. They should be mentioned always, not so as to show that you are ‘only’ concerned with the Palestinians, but because the hostages are mostly random human beings who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and are entitled to human
rights protection too.

6. name withheld at their request
I have enquired both of Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism whether any meetings of this nature have been held with Archbishop Welby. Responses were as follows: - Liberal Judaism Israeli and Palestinian peace activists speak at Kingston Liberal Synagogue, October 2019: "Endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the initiative invites Christians and Jews to support Israeli-Palestinian peace building and is the first of its kind at a national level." Reform Judaism The
leaders of Progressive Judaism met with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at Lambeth Palace, 22/06/2023 This meeting was to discuss the merger of the two Movements into one Movement for Progressive Judaism. Nothing appears to have been said about the views of Jews in the UK about the Israel / Gaza situation. I have accessed the relevant pages on the Archbishop’s website regarding Israel and Gaza. 2nd August – Archbishop of Canterbury statement on the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories 11th September – No article found on that date 21st November – is an appeal for the Diocese of Jerusalem Archbishops launch Advent appeal for the Diocese of Jerusalem There are many articles – some from 2023 and 2024 
• Archbishops condemn Hamas attacks on Israel – joint statement 07/10/2023
• Archbishop of Canterbury’s statement on Israel and Gaza, 13-10-2023
• Gaza hospitals are facing catastrophe, says Archbishop of Canterbury, 15-10-2023
• Archbishop of Canterbury meets Catholic priest from Gaza, 24-04-2024
• Archbishop of Canterbury appeals for an end to bloodshed after Gaza hospital blast, 18-10-
2023
• Archbishop of Canterbury’s speech in Lords debate on Israel and Gaza 24/10/2023
• Statement from the House of Bishops on the war in Gaza, 31-10-2024
• Archbishop of Canterbury statement on famine risk in Gaza 21-03-2024
 

I have combed various sites for speeches and articles but have found no reference to any discussions with or between "various Jewish organisations" on their opinions about the Israel/Gaza situation. Many of us belong to various organisations of Jews or Jews and Muslims, some meeting on a regular basis to share their experiences and views and to console and uphold each other during this time of sorrow for both peoples. I am afraid that I do not consider Siriol Davies’ message in any way
assuages the worries and concerns of various Jews and their congregations. Some congregations are divided and for many different reasons. I feel, with all due respect, that the message is a case of ’smoke and mirrors’ and does not address the question we are asking.

7. Donald Sassoon
It shows their incompetence and their very slight connection with the truth. It is obvious they would only have connection with ‘official’ Jewish organisations, all of whom are totally aligned with Israeli policies. The interesting letter from the Bishop of Norwich shows that Siriol Davies could have been more outspoken by mentioning some of the positions taken by Church leaders. Let’s hope that one of the four bishops becomes the unlamented Welby’s successor.

8. Raphael Salkie
It looks to me that Siriol Davies is lying. Mr Welby’s "apology" for the child abuse scandal is another example of avoiding the key issues. It is hard to trust anything that Welby says, or to take his wordsseriously.

9. Charles Lewsen
It seems possible that, whether or not ‘regularly’ whatever that is supposed to mean, Welby has met with ‘a diverse range of Jewish figures with different perspectives’, though in meetings perhaps that lacked the implicit weight that is likely to have marked those that he had with Mirvis. And if the current advisors ‘will continue to meet with diverse groups’ they must already have done so – perhaps to the enhancement, however slight, of Welby’s understanding and that of the staff of Lambeth Palace.

It seems likely too that Bishop Usher seems likely to inform the new Archbishop of our concern, the other five contributing perhaps via chat in the Lords tearoom or more formal meetings, and thus to the wider C of E .

And – aware of the current swirl of doubt and belief of a society of shifting values, with the Anglican Church in this country if not elsewhere fraught with difference and losing active adherents, some to other denominations – its leaders may well see value in conversation with such as represent the range of UK Jewry and other denominations in this country.

Besides, Welby is an irrelevance for a while at least – like retired politicians who reveal wisdoms not apparent when they were ministers, he may exercise a public voice of value. And in approaching the Bishops, Campain has laid the foundation for his successor to reach out.

10. Tony Graham
It’s hard not to be suspicious, if not cynical, about the apparent ‘loss’ of the letter signed and endorsed by so many of us Jews who have different views to that of the ‘official leadership’ of the Jewish community. This would conveniently reflect a similar political approach to that employed by those unelected leaders aided by an unaccountable media and others in positions of power. Forgive me as a Jew for wondering what a church might embrace but my idea of a broad church would appear to be considerably broader than yours.

11. Benny Ross
If the outgoing archbishop is indeed "aware of the diversity of Jewish opinion" as claimed here, I hope his successor will be equally aware of it and will say so in an official capacity. The assumption that all Jews support Israel’s war crimes is terribly dangerous and can only fuel antisemitic feeling. We need public figures such as bishops/archbishops to say loud and clear that they know many Jews oppose these crimes.
 

12. Vicky Grandon
As an active member of Jewish Socialist Group and Jewish Voices for Labour, I am unaware of any contact to any of our members or respective elected committees regarding the Archbishop or his office. I am convinced that my voice and collective perspectives from the above mentioned groups has been uninvited, unwanted, and never considered. Those who do not support the actions of the Israeli government in reference to Palestine and Palestinian people are not supported or consulted by the Church of England’s representatives.

13. Paul Ostreicher
I have been in regular contact with Justin. Over the last year he has radically changed his views on Israel and has said so publicly. He now sees Israel as an unjust cruel, apartheid-like society. He holds that the Israeli occupation of Palestine is illegal and unjustifiable. That has not gone down well with the Chief Rabbi in the UK. 

However with reasons that have nothing to do with Israel, Justin Welby has resigned. The Israel lobby will be pleased. There may be a new ABC in about six months.

My and my wife’s work for and with JfJfP goes on as before.
 

14. Nicola Lairdon

Quite frankly for an Archbishop to LOSE such a letter is a disgrace. How can he claim to meet both sides, yet displace such a letter? It seems that he, like our government has closed his eyes to the suffering of the Palestinian people. Yet dare to say he cares about this situation. The loss of this letter seems to speak very clearly on where he actually stands and what he thinks. With feelings being so high on this matter, I find it a worrying lack of care by the Christian church. To claim they would lose such a letter, and at such a time. It seems they, like our government, excel at ducking, diving and hiding, when it suits them. It looks as if they both sing from the same hymn sheet.

15. Margaret Gelb
Frankly we are sceptical about Archbishop Welby’s sentiments. We were not aware of any meetings held by him but we are not in the know. He does speak to Chief Rabbi Mirvis, whose opinion we do not respect. Mirvis is a right wing Zionist who does not oppose the expansion of Israel on illegally occupied lands. 

Israel’s policies regarding Palestine have been expansionist since the 1930s. The current regime are ultra-nationalist fascists. In 40 years time, perhaps people will look on this genocide and ask Israelis and Zionists why they supported Netanyahu et al; it will be the same process that Germans had to face after the Holocaust in the 1930s and 1940s with Hitler at the helm.

I think it is a bloody cheek to say there is no moral equivalence (their favourite expression) between Israel and other fascist governments who have perpetrated genocide.

Unless you can identify someone within the church who has been outspoken and has condemned the genocide being waged by Israel in Gaza (and Lebanon) and who regards Israel’s actions in Syria as endangering world peace, you are, in my opinion, wasting your time.

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​In the UK most of these people are part of the Establishment which supports Nato . Nato, in turn, has condoned any actions taken by Israel. We are thoroughly disillusioned with all politicians of the major parties in the UK, and with most Nato-aligned governments for their collusion with Israel. 

 

Sorry we cannot offer positive help.
 

16. David Cannon
Having signed CAMPAIN’s open letter to Welby in April 2023 I was disappointed not to get any response. CAMPAIN tried to open a dialogue with Welby but, as far as I know, this attempt has been ignored.
i) Have you and/or your organisation had any dialogue with Archbishop Welby and/or his representatives? No
(ii) Have you and/or your organisation been invited to any meeting with Archbishop Welby or his representatives? No
(iii) Are you and/or your organisation aware of invitations to such meetings being sent to others in your group or circle of like-minded friends? No
(iv) Do you have any comment on Siriol Davies’s message (limit 300 words please)? In light of Welby’s refusal to acknowledge Israeli apartheid despite extensive and authoratitive evidence from a variety of sources, Welby has demonstrated a total refusal to engage with anti-Zionist Jewish communities. I would love to be proved wrong. 

PS: Haim’s answers are correct but, though hardly a dialogue, it is also worth noting that the following reps from JNP did sign CAMPAIN’s open letter to Welby in April 2023. David Cannon, Chair, Jewish Network for Palestine, Haim Bresheeth, Professorial Research Associate, SOAS, on committee of Jewish Network for Palestine. A Jewish atheist of UK and Israeli nationality, Les Levidow, academic researcher, committee member for Jewish Network for Palestine, Answer came there none...

17. Erika Fox
As regards, Siriol’s letter, I can hardly believe that they did not actually receive our letter, despite there being something of a muddle at present because of the resignation of Justin Welby. The way I interpret things, is that the official response to what is happening in Israel/Gaza is a political one, decided on after certain deliberations in high places, and it is, in effect, a virtually meaningless form of words, particularly the bit about prayers at the end. Yes you can certainly quote me, although
what use that would be I have no idea. I am an old woman, a musician by profession, also a refugee from Nazi Austria, having arrived here in July 1939, which is perhaps one of the reasons I am so particularly upset and incensed by what is going on in Gaza, and Lebanon and indeed I have been utterly devastated by the behaviour and stance of so many Jews to things that are utterly shameful and inhuman. It is a complete mystery to me how Jews can have an attitude to another people that is no better than the Nazis had regarding the Jewish race. The human race is a mystery to me. I have visited the West Bank in Israel, and saw for myself, together with friends, some of what has been going on for years. Having said that, these friends are Jews, in Israel, who feel as I do, and there are MANY. Though evidently not the majority.
 

18. Haim Bresheeth
It seems clear that the Archbishop does not consider any non-Zionist organisation of Jews as a candidate for discussion, advice, reflection or any other sort of dialogue. By such delimiting of ‘acceptable’ Jewish views, and assuming that all Jews are supportive of Israeli actions, the Archbishop may have acted in a clearly antisemitic manner, whether by conscious choice or a failure to recognise the rich variety of Jewish views, and so excluding Jews who are supporting Palestinian rights
and the large set of International Law against Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing and other war crimes committed by Israel since its inception in 1948. This further complicates his well published view that Israel does not commit Genocide - a view now clearly countered by the ICC, ICJ, Amnesty International and many parts of the UN dealing with Palestine, like the reports of Special Rapporteurs on Palestine. That the Archbishop, to my knowledge a layman in terms of International Law, has taken
upon himself the denial of the learned and researched legal views of the highest courts on Earth, sounds odd and clearly unacceptable, and motivated by political rather than juridical or religious views.

19. Lesley Grahame
Great news that you are engaging with a wide range of Jewish communities. It would be really helpful if you could identify them, so we can encourage people who haven’t been in touch to make contact with you.

20. Tony Greenstein
Jewish Network for Palestine has never been invited to a meeting with JustinWelby. He is a notorious Zionist supporter who removed the Rev. Stephen Sizer from the ministry of the CoE. This suggestion that he meets with a ’diverse range of Jewish opinion’ is simply a lie.

Welby probably means that he meets with a diverse range of Zionist opinion - all of whom support genocide in Palestine.
 

I very much doubt he meets with Jewish Voice for Labour either although I can’t speak for them
 

21. Agnes Kory, Jewish Holocaust Child Survivor
I am concerned that no examples of the "diverse range of Jewish figures with different perspectives on Israel" are provided. It is therefore unclear what exactly is the diversity the Archbishop and his team are engaged with.and what are the specifics of the extent to which "the Archbishop is aware of the diversity of Jewish opinion".

22. David Duchin
When the British movement for Reform Judaism publicly states "We are unequivocally Zionist. We have a non-negotiable commitment to the State of Israel and its security," and when the Archbishop has not communicated with CAMPAIN or JVL apart from the recent message confirming he does speak with a broad range of Jews on a range of issues, it is difficult to see where he would encounter Jews who do not support the current Israeli government, nor zionist colonialism. We are a
multifaceted community, and speaking with one of us does not constitute consensus.

23. Leah Levane
I think it would be reasonable to ask which groups he is meeting with; we would expect them to meet with the Board of Deputies for example. For certain there are no Bishops meeting with us, Jewish Voice for Labour and I have not heard of them meeting with any of the Jewish groups that support Palestinian rights and justice.

I wonder also what Christian groups the Bishops meet with? For example are they meeting with Pax Christi or do they meet with former Ecumenical Accompaniers or any from the small staff team or Advisory Board (this, the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel - EAPPI - was set up by the World Council of Churches but as far back as 2012 came under heavy criticism at the Synod.)

We would also be interested to know what Jewish Groups outside the mainstream establishment ones they are meeting with. We have Rabbis as well as academics who specialise in antisemitism and Rabbis who would be able to provide a different perspective from, eg the BoD or JLC.
 

24. Bob Phillips
Given that the central issue is that Justin Welby has been relying on very partial sources of “Jewish opninion”, I am very surprised that Siriol Davies does not use the opportunity fo explain in more detail what Jewish groups Justin Welby attends to.

25. Donna Poppy
t appears that the Archbishops’ definition of ‘diverse’ is not the same as the rest of the world’s and does not include Israel-critical individuals or organisations. This seems like a classic brush-off and, in the light of the fact people are dying every day, it is simply not good enough.​​​​