Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of Canterbury. Photo: glcarey.

JNS.org – Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, criticized a historic Methodist church in London for demonizing Israel through a reconstructed Israeli border checkpoint exhibition.

“I am sad to learn that Hinde Street Methodist Church are planning an exhibition that portrays Israel as oppressors of victims,” Lord Carey said in a prepared statement, reiterating Israel’s need for security barrier to safeguard against terror attacks. “The methods used by democracies to defend their civilians should not be undermined by religious leaders in places of worship and brotherhood.”

Coinciding with the World Council of Churches’ World Week for Peace in Palestine, the Hinde Street church created a replica of an Israeli security checkpoint called, “You cannot pass today,” to display to allegedly portray daily life for Palestinians, who cross the border between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

“Jewish people across Europe are increasingly being targeted and killed by terrorists, who often attempt to justify their actions by demonizing Israel,” Lord Carey added. “It is therefore particularly sad to see a church in London demonizing and singling out Israel’s defensive actions against terrorism.”

Marie van der Zyl, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said in a statement the exhibit “looks like a one-sided exhibition, which puts unwelcome and unnecessary strain on Christian-Jewish relations.”