B’nai B’rith pans church group for accusing Israel of apartheid, possible genocide

B’nai B’rith International has condemned a statement by the World Council of Churches accusing Israel of “apartheid” and possible “genocide,” and calling for sanctions.

The WCC, an organization bringing together 356 cross-denominational churches from more than 120 countries who represent over 580 million Christians worldwide, issued a sharp rebuke of Israel at its central committee meeting in Johannesburg on June 24.

While claiming that it stands against racism and antisemitism, the WCC said it was in “deep lamentation and outrage” that Israel is “flagrantly violating international humanitarian and human rights law as well as the most basic principles of morality.” It called on states, churches, and international institutions to “impose consequences for violations of international law, including targeted sanctions, divestment, and arms embargoes.”

B’nai B’rith says the WCC is “beyond the pale for engagement by the mainstream Jewish community,” calling on its backers to redirect their support to non-political organizations instead.

“Tragically, the WCC on its current trajectory cannot be a credible contributor to peace, justice and reconciliation,” says B’nai B’rith’s director of United Nations and Intercommunal Affairs,

David Michaels. “As long as it habitually singles out a Jewish democracy alone for the wildest possible demonization—and shows zero actual concern for the lives, legitimacy and human rights of its diverse people—its claim to care about antisemitism is a forgery.”

“Israel is the Middle East’s sole democracy; it has protected Christian life and pursued peace with every single Arab neighbor,” Michaels continues. “Yet the WCC is moved only to discern and deplore ‘occupation,’ ‘apartheid’ and even ‘genocide’ in the case of Israel. Even now, Iran and its allied exterminationists go unmentioned. This is nothing less than false witness and moral bankruptcy.”