International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

Statement from the Methodist Presidency on the International DayAgainst Fascism and Anti-Semitism (November 9th)

The Revd Ken Howcroft, President of the Methodist Conference, andMs Gill Dascombe, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference,said:

"With our thoughts on Remembrance Sunday this weekend, let usredouble our efforts to preach peace and counter violence andhatred wherever we encounter them. We stand with victims ofviolence of all faiths and none. This year Remembrance Sundaycoincides with the anniversary of the Kristallnacht atrocitiesagainst Jews in Nazi Germany and Austria on 9-10 November 1938. Wetherefore deplore and condemn all manifestations of anti-Semitismand anti-Judaism, all outbreaks of hatred and persecution. Therecent rise in anti-Semitic attacks, for example, is unacceptableto us as Christians. Anti-Semitism, along with other forms ofreligious hatred, is a denial of the Christian Gospel.

"It is therefore important that we as Christians recall and repentthe Church's past failures to condemn anti-Semitism whenever andwherever it has erupted across the world over the centuries. Westand with Jews on November 9th - the International Day AgainstFascism and Anti-Semitism. And in standing with them, we also standwith others - lest we forget."