I was grateful to welcome @ChiefRabbi Mirvis to Lambeth Palace today, and for our honest conversation about events of the past few weeks. Following the recent General Synod motion, I am deeply saddened by the hurt and distress that so many in the Jewish community are feeling.

I took the opportunity to say that both I and the Church of England recognise the profound connection that the Jewish people have to the State of Israel. Every person – Christian, Jewish and Muslim; Palestinian and Israeli – deserves to live in safety, dignity and peace. I continue to pray for and support our Palestinian Christian sisters and brothers.

The terrible violence, destruction and suffering in the Middle East have been deeply felt in this country by everyone who is connected to Israel and Palestine – whether by faith, family or heritage. It has become harder to hear one another, but it has never been more important that we do.

The Church of England’s vocation is to value and protect every faith in our shared national life, including the Jewish community who are an integral and essential part of our society. It is my duty and privilege to extend the hand of friendship and partnership to every faith community.
I will always stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in this country, and I pray for their protection in such a time of fragility and fear.

My prayer is that these challenging weeks for Christian-Jewish relations give us renewed urgency to work together for deeper understanding and dialogue in this country, and for the justice and peace that Israelis and Palestinians deserve.