The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, canceled a meeting with a Palestinian Lutheran Pastor from Beit Lahm, Munther Isaac, as he refused to meet with him if he took part in a platform with the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at a pro-Palestinian rally. It is noteworthy that the Lambeth Palace stated that it did not comment on private meetings.

The Archbishop justified his stance by claiming that he is "concerned about the huge increase in antisemitism" in the UK since October 7, adding that he believes what he described as a "meeting" would "cause a huge problem to the Jewish community."

Isaac is the Palestinian pastor of the Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beit Lahm. Expressing deep distress over the Israeli genocide in Gaza in his Christmas sermon, he emphasized that were Jesus Christ born today, he would have been born under the rubble. This sermon was recorded in a video that went viral.

He gave a speech at the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign rally during the weekend. Corbyn was also one of the speakers at the rally as he was invited by the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot.

In an interview for The Guardian, Isaac stated the archbishop’s aides informed him that if he shared a platform with Corbyn, a meeting with him and the Archbishop would be out of the question. He commented on the latter, stating, “It’s shameful. It’s not my type of Christianity not to be willing to meet another pastor because you don’t want to explain why you met him.

“This sums up the Church of England. They danced around positions and ended up saying nothing. They lack the courage to say things," he stressed.

'For so long, they have been silent in the face of obvious war crimes': Isaac

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Isaac expressed concern for the Christian community in Gaza, saying, “The small Christian community in Gaza has discovered what is hell on earth. Most of them have lost their homes: 45 were destroyed completely and 55 were partially destroyed. There is no life left for them. This war will most likely bring an end to Christian life in Gaza. Everyone wants to leave."

He further criticized the Archbishop's stance and the Church of England's position on the Israeli genocide against Gaza. “It is so painful for us to see the Christian church turn a blind eye to what is happening, offering words of concern and compassion, but for so long they have been silent in the face of obvious war crimes. Churches seem paralyzed, and they seem willing to sacrifice the Christian presence in Palestine for the sake of avoiding controversy and not criticizing Israel. I have had so many difficult conversations with church leaders."

Welby’s allies claim he had "spoken out strongly" on the Israeli genocide against Gaza and will continue to do, but "the feelings of other communities" are also important.

The House of Bishops, the upper chamber of the Church’s General Synod, issued a call for a ceasefire on 13 February, saying, "Israel must stop its relentless bombardment of Gaza," adding that Israeli war on Gaza “cannot be morally justified."

However, Isaac noted, “I know from meeting many church leaders that in private, they say one thing, and then in public, they say another thing. I’ve had the same experience with many politicians and diplomats."

'An Immediate ceasefire in a moral obligation': Isaac

On his visit to the UK to foster support for the Palestinians, Isaac stressed that an immediate ceasefire was “a moral obligation,” emphasizing that “this is not a time for neutrality or soft diplomacy. Gaza should be your moral compass.”

Isaac pressed, “If it has not become clear to the world that this is a war of vengeance aimed at destroying the possibility of life in Gaza and not a war on Hamas, I am not sure what more proof people need. The destruction of schools, universities, and hospitals is everywhere. The Israeli soldiers brag and joke about it. How is the killing of 12,000 children a war on Hamas?”

“If what has happened so far cannot convince people that there needs to be an immediate ceasefire, there is something seriously wrong with our humanity. How much more catastrophic can it get?,” He asked.

“Even as a pastor, my faith was tested in the last three months. It’s hard, it’s hard to pray and not to see results," adding, “My answer to the question where God is is that we have to ask where are the good people in this world. In Christianity we say we are God’s agents, we are God’s hands and feet on earth. The Gospel tells us what’s right and what’s wrong. It tells us what needs to be done. It’s on us when we choose to kill.”