ARCHBISHOP OF YORK CONDEMNS ISRAEL WHILE IGNORING HAMAS TERRORISM AND WAR CRIMES
ARCHBISHOP OF YORK CONDEMNS ISRAEL WHILE IGNORING HAMAS TERRORISM AND WAR CRIMES
THE NEWS
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell told The Church Times that Israel had committed "genocidal acts" in Gaza and was responsible for instituting "apartheid" and "ethnic cleansing." He claimed Israel runs a "deeply discriminatory political regime that intentionally and clearly prioritises the political, legal and social rights of Israeli settlers over Palestinians living in the same territory."
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis denounced Cottrell's "irresponsible" comments, telling The Telegraph that "reaching for the incendiary and morally inverted accusation of 'genocidal acts' will serve only to foster yet more enmity and division."
The Board of Deputies of British Jews stated they would contact Cottrell's office to clarify his comments, which they said "concerned" them.
The controversy ignores documented Hamas war crimes. On October 7, 2023, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched coordinated attacks on Israel, killing over 1,200 people.
According to Human Rights Watch, Hamas attacked at least 19 kibbutzim, 5 moshavim, the cities of Sderot and Ofakim, 2 music festivals, and a beach party. Palestinian fighters fired directly at civilians at close range as they tried to flee, hurled grenades, shot into shelters, fired rocket propelled grenades at homes, set houses on fire burning people alive, and took 252 hostages including 36 children.
UN experts confirmed that crimes committed on October 7, including murder, hostage taking, and sexual violence against women and girls, amount to serious violations of international law and constitute war crimes, and possibly crimes against humanity.
At least 809 Israeli civilians were killed, including women, children and older persons.
Hamas has used indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, which Palestinian UN Observer Ibrahim Kraishi decried as "crimes against humanity." Between 2000 and 2021, over 17,000 rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza.
Regarding Israeli and foreign hostages held in Gaza, UN investigations found many were mistreated to inflict physical pain and severe mental suffering, including physical violence, sexual violence, forced isolation, limited access to hygiene facilities, water and food, threats and humiliation.
Hamas forced hostages to participate in videos with the intent of inflicting psychological torture on families. Several hostages were killed in captivity.
Anglican priest Michael Coren argued that church leaders preoccupied with Israeli actions were ignoring severe anti Christian persecution by Muslim nations. "It's a lot easier to criticise the wrongdoings of the Jewish state than the sins of countless Muslim ones, where active persecution of Christians is rife. There's a fear of alienating the Muslim community."
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
An Archbishop condemns Israel for defending itself against terrorists while remaining silent about the war crimes that started this conflict.
Hamas murdered 1,200 people, raped women, burned families alive, beheaded infants, and kidnapped 252 hostages including children.
Where is Cottrell's moral outrage about that?
The West faces the same enemy Israel fights.
Terrorists who murder civilians, use human shields, store weapons in hospitals, fire rockets from schools, and celebrate the slaughter of innocents.
Over 17,000 rockets fired at Israeli civilians in two decades.
That is terrorism, not resistance.
When church leaders condemn the nation defending itself while ignoring the terrorists who started the war, they reveal their true allegiance.
It is not to truth.
It is not to justice.
It is cowardice dressed as compassion.
The Archbishop's words embolden terrorists and endanger Christians worldwide who face the same jihadist ideology that drove October 7.
Western nations must treat Hamas members and supporters exactly as we would any other terrorist organization.
Arrest them.
Prosecute them.
Imprison them.
No tolerance for terrorism.
No excuses for atrocities.
No moral equivalence between democracies defending citizens and terrorists targeting them.
TAKE ACTION
- Contact the Archbishop of York's office to demand he condemn Hamas terrorism with the same vigor he criticizes Israel. Email bishoptoft@bishoptoft.org.uk or call +44 (0)1904 707021 to express concern over his one sided statements.
- Support Israel's right to self defense by contacting your MP or MEP. Visit parliament.uk/get-involved to find representatives and demand they recognize documented Hamas war crimes and terrorism.
- Donate to Israeli victims of terrorism through OneFamily, which supports families bereaved or affected by terror attacks. Visit onefamilytogether.org or call +972 2 673 0808 to provide direct assistance.
- Educate your church about Hamas terrorism and October 7 atrocities. Share Human Rights Watch reports documenting war crimes at hrw.org. Organize discussions on Christian responses to terrorism and Israel's security needs.
- Counter antisemitism in religious communities by supporting the Community Security Trust, which protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. Donate at cst.org.uk or call +44 (0)20 8457 9999.
- Advocate for hostage release by contacting Bring Them Home Now campaign at bringhomenow.org.il. Nearly 100 hostages remain in Hamas captivity. Pressure international bodies to secure their immediate and unconditional release.
