THE Chief Rabbi has launched a blistering attack on the Church of England over its decision to review investments in Israel, accusing the General Synod of damaging Jewish-Christian relations.

Despite efforts by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, to play down last week’s vote on divestment, Sir Jonathan Sacks has refused to let the matter rest.

In a 1,500-word article in today’s Jewish Chronicle, the Chief Rabbi, who is known for his moderation and his distaste for public bickering, condemned the synod’s action as ill-judged and said that “the timing could not have been more inappropriate”.

Sir Jonathan said: “The immediate result [of the vote] will be to reduce the Church’s ability to act as a force for peace between Israel and the Palestinians for as long as the decision remains in force.”

He argued that Israel needed support, not vilification, at a time when it had risked civil war to withdraw from Gaza and as it faced “two enemies, Iran and Hamas”.

He continued: “For years I have called on religious groups in Britain to send a message of friendship and co-existence to conflict zones throughout the world, instead of importing those conflicts into Britain itself. The effect of the synod vote will be the opposite.

“The Church has chosen to take a stand on the politics of the Middle East over which it has no influence, knowing that it will have the most adverse repercussions on a situation over which it has enormous influence, namely JewishChristian relations in Britain.”

The comments come after an agreement by the Board of Deputies of British Jews to investigate attitudes towards Israel within the Church of England.

Jewish leaders began planning a collective response to the synod move at a meeting on Tuesday called by Sir Jonathan and attended by representatives from the Jewish community in Britain.

Rabbi Tony Bayfield, the head of the Reform movement and a co-president of the Council of Christians and Jews, said: “There is a clear problem of anti-Zionist — verging on anti-Semitic — attitudes emerging in the grass roots, and even in the middle ranks of the Church.”

The General Synod had voted to consider withdrawing its £2.5 million investment in Caterpillar, because the US company makes tractors that have been used in land clearance in the occupied territories.

Last week the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote to Sir Jonathan regretting the “unfortunate” timing of the synod’s decision. “Much distress has been caused, especially to our Jewish friends and neighbours here and elsewhere. This distress is a cause of deep regret.” But he defended the synod’s vote as merely urging the Church of England “to engage with companies about whom we had concerns and to encourage a fact-finding visit to the Holy Land” .

Jeff Barak, managing editor of the Jewish Chronicle, said that the Chief Rabbi’s comments “constitute, in his vocabulary, a severe tongue-lashing. The Church of England and, in particular, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who voted in favour of the divestment call, deserve no less.”

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