A woman supporter of the PSC was recorded saying that a "few hundred thousand" Jews died in the Holocaust when "they had their foreskins chopped off". She also told Jews present "You are using the fu*king Holocaust to kill the Palestinians." According to those present she made the comments in the church and then repeated them outside where they were recorded.
It has since emerged that Methodist Connexional officials at the highest level actually gave the go ahead for this meeting to take place, despite the PSC holding views that are directly contrary to Methodist Conference policy supporting the right of Israel to live within secure borders. The PSC logo, on display in the Methodist Church during the meeting, clearly envisages the destruction of Israel.
The Reverend Doctor Peter Phillips, secretary of the powerful Methodist Church Faith and Order Committee claimed on this blog "Nothing in the meeting itself contravened SO 921 and the minister was present to ensure this. As far as I understand it, the minister discussed the meeting and all measures which might be necessary beforehand with our Inter Faith relations officer." Dr Phillips has criticised this blog for suggesting the content of the meeting should have been discussed by Connexional officials saying "Might be good not to jump for the negative assumption that consultation has not happened prior to the event being held".
It beggars belief that Connexional officers saw this as a legitimate meeting to be held on Methodist premises and then have their agreement endorsed by the Secretary of the Faith and Order Committee. The relevant standing order makes it clear that political meetings should be held in very specific circumstances including a provision that such a meeting should not have a detrimental effect on the peace and unity of the church and its witness. Meetings should also be held within the context of specifically Christian theology and ethics.
Standing Order 921 says:
921 Political Matters. (1) Managing trustees may not sponsor meetings in support of political parties, nor may such meetings be held in the name of any otherMethodist body. Nonetheless managing trustees may permit occasional use of Methodist property for political meetings by non-Methodist bodies and may sponsor meetings designed to promote informed discussion of public issues in the context of Christian theology and ethics. Before agreeing to such use, the managing trustees shall consider, in the light of any advice which the Connexional Team may issue from time to time, the extent, if any, to which the granting of such permission would have a detrimental effect on the peace and unity of the Church and its witness.
