| Cleric defends Middle East
mural |
An Edinburgh church rector has defended his decision to display a mural
showing a crucified Jesus flanked by Roman and Israeli soldiers.
;)
The Rev John Armes says the St John's Episcopal Church mural is
designed to make people think about the conflict in the Middle East.
The image has sparked email protests from Israel and the US branding
the image "sick". The rector is also being accused of anti-Semitism.
The mural was unveiled as part of the church's Good Friday and Easter
celebrations and is due to be taken down tomorrow as planned.
Emails criticising the mural began arriving at the church in Princes
Street after the Jerusalem Post newspaper ran a report on the image.
In a standard reply, issued to every email, Dr Armes said: "I want to
emphasise that the purpose of our murals is to encourage people to think
seriously about a contemporary national or international issue.
"This one unashamedly addresses the role of the Israeli government in
the present conflict."
Dr Armes said the mural was asking who the current military oppressor
was, adding that many people in Britain were "horrified at the military
actions of the Israeli government".
He also dismissed accusations of anti-semitism saying: "Our mural is a
challenge not to the Jewish people but to the Israeli state. I further
deplore any attacks against Jews on the basis of their race and the arson
attacks in France sicken me. I therefore very much regret that some of you
have seen our mural as anti-Semitic."
One email from the US had said it was "sick" to equate Jesus with the
Palestinians, adding: "I would not want to be in your shoes on that great
judgment day."
Story filed: 11:31 Thursday 4th April
2002 | 
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