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Church of Sweden Calls to Investigate Israel as an Apartheid State
(Ha'aretz) David Stavrou - A decision by the Central Board of the Church of Sweden last week calling on ecumenical organizations to investigate Israel as an apartheid state has been condemned by the Council of Swedish Jewish Communities and members of the church itself. Aron Verstandig, president of the council, said the Church of Sweden "repeatedly chooses to criticize the only Jewish state, without criticizing any of Israel's neighbors for the persecution that Christians are subjected to." The church's head, Archbishop of Sweden Antje Jackelen, said she was personally opposed to the decision. "It is the use of the word 'apartheid' that provokes anger and sadness. I myself would not have used the word in this context....The decision also raises the issue of an examination of how the Palestinian Authority and Hamas live up to international law."