We are delighted to see that Canon Andrew White is supporting the campaign by Anglican Friends of Israel to oppose the endorsement of EAPPI (the Ecumenical Accompaniers Programme in Palestine/Israel) at the forthcoming Synod meeting in York.
Canon Andrew is one of the Church’s most respected and courageous figures. He is the vicar of St George’s Church in Baghdad, the only Anglican church remaining in Iraq. His church and staff have been the target of terrorist attacks, killings and kidnappings. There have also been threats to his own life but he continues his work nevertheless.
Just as importantly, Canon Andrew is the president of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME), promoting interfaith relations in the Middle East.
In a statement, Canon Andrew White says:
“As someone who has spent many years living in the Middle East – the Land of the Bible – risking life and limb for peace and who is proud to be a friend of Israelis and Palestinians, Jews, Christians and Muslims, I do hope Synod will reject the motion calling for endorsement of EAPPI.
The motion is unjust and has caused deep pain in the Jewish Community. It neglects the wars against Israel’s very right to exist. It overlooks the persecution of Jews in the Middle East that preceded the establishment of the modern State of Israel. Israel – like all countries – is not perfect, but she sincerely wishes to find peace.
It is not clear why Synod is being asked to adopt a one sided “NAKBA” narrative against Israel while our fellow Christians are dying in Iraq, Sudan, Egypt and Syria. There are many wonderful peace-loving people in the Palestinian territories who are entangled in a conflict
they do not endorse, but the culture of incitement against Jews and Christians as well as the continuing rocket bombardments on Sderot are factors that Synod is being asked to ignore or at best discount.”Rev Canon Andrew White, St George’s Baghdad. 21 June 2012