The Board of Deputies of British Jews has accused Anglican Vicar Rev Dr Stephen Sizer from Surrey of supporting an “anti-Semitic hate-fest” by speaking at the Second “New Horizon” festival in Tehran in September, where the topics of discussion included on themes such as “Zionist Fingerprints on the 9/11 Cover-up, ” the Telegraph reported.
The Jewish community is demanding an investigation by the Church of England of Sizer’s attendance in the Tehran conference, where a video of the anti-Jewish French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala was shown.
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Except that Dr Sizer, a tireless campaigner against Israeli policy in the disputed territories, insists that he strongly disagreed with many of the things that were said, and was there as an “ambassador for reconciliation.”
According to the Telegraph, Sizer repudiated accusations that the Tehran festival was anti-Semitic, despite the strong anti-Zionist views that were expressed.
He insisted he was there to present a Christian point of view.
Jonathan Arkush, Vice President of the Board of Deputies, told the Telegraph: “His appearance at a conference sponsored by a regime that actively persecutes Christians and other minorities is inexplicable.
“The Iranian Government denies the Holocaust and openly calls for the destruction of Israel, which is tantamount to bringing about another Holocaust.
“Rev Sizer’s participation might be seen as lending pseudo credence to an event whose premise is clear from its programme: to lay blame on Israel and Jews for the world’s ills, including, it would seem, 9/11.
“The Church of England should investigate why one of its ministers deemed it appropriate to take part in an anti-Semitic hate-fest.”
A spokesman for the Diocese of Guildford said: “We are aware of the statement by the Board of Deputies regarding the recent attendance by Revd Dr Stephen Sizer of the ‘Second New Horizon’ conference in Tehran.” He added that “In 2012/13, the Diocese facilitated a process of conciliation between Dr Sizer and the Board of Deputies, and will seek to clarify whether the conciliation agreement has been contravened.”
Kinda looks like it has been…
