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8 DECEMBER 2022 Board hails C of E ruling against vicar

BY DAVID SAFFER

The Board of Deputies has hailed an “unprecedented” Church of England Tribunal ruling against The Reverend Dr Stephen Sizer. One allegation against the retired priest was deemed antisemitic.

Twelve complaints against Sizer were brought by BoD President Marie van der Zyl and former President Jonathan Arkush between 2005 and 2018. Evidence by both was vital to the verdict.

Four allegations by the Board were upheld. The Tribunal viewed Sizer’s conduct “provoked and offended the Jewish community”. His actions, the tribunal noted, were “unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in Holy Orders”.

The most serious allegation related to the former Vicar posting 9/11 conspiracy theories.

A link on his Facebook page in 2015 blamed Israel for 9/11. The Tribunal, chaired by Worshipful David Pittaway KC, found the article in its tone and content “truly shocking”. Promoting Israel was behind terrorist attacks on 9/11 was deemed “antisemitic activity” by the Tribunal.

In an interview on 30 March 2018 on Australian radio, Sizer defended his 9/11 link. The Tribunal accepted evidence that the Jewish community were “offended” by Sizer’s answers to questions.

Of particular concern was Sizer’s

The Reverend Dr Stephen Sizer

PHOTO: YOUTUBE

assertion that a number of Israelis had “benefited from 9/11”.

On this allegation, the Tribunal viewed Sizer’s conduct “unbecoming” of an ordained minister but did not consider it antisemitic activity.

Regarding a meeting with Sheikh Nabil Kaouk, a senior commander of Hezbollah forces in 2006, the Tribunal accepted the Jewish community were “provoked and offended” by posting a photograph on his website. Sizer had shown a “lack of sensitivity to the Jewish community”, noted the tribunal.

Ms van de Zyl commended the Tribunal’s decision. She said: “In an unprecedented judgement, it has been found that Reverend Sizer has engaged in “antisemitic activity”, repeated "conduct unbecoming" of a Church of England Minister and engaged in conduct that “provoked and offended” the Jewish community over a sustained period. He was also criticised for being "disingenuous in his answers”.

Ms van de Zyl added: “The Board will always act to defend and protect the Jewish community.”

She placed on record thanks to Mr Arkush for his work in pursuing the case on behalf of the community.

Seven allegations of antisemitism were not proven. But the Tribunal accepted evidence the Jewish community were “provoked and offended” on allegations including Sizer speaking alongside Holocaust deniers, attending an event chaired by Baroness Tonge, sharing alleged antisemitic material and posting an item that Jeremy Corbyn was a victim of the “hidden hands of Zionists”.

The Church of England has accepted Sizer committed misconduct under the ‘Clergy Discipline Measure’ and will determine a penalty.

Sizer was vicar of Christ Church, Virginia Water, in Surrey.

Pittaway noted the Church of England formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. This took place in 2018.

The panel included The Reverend Geoffrey Eze, The Reverend Canon Liz Hughes, Canon Andrew Halstead and Ms Gabrielle Higgins.

In May 2022, after a complaint by the Board, a Church hearing was held in public with media access over 11 accusations from 2005 to 2017. Sizer "absolutely and resolutely” denied claims of antisemitism and misconduct arguing his actions were against the State of Israel not Jews.

Antisemite Chabloz banned

The Tea House Theatre in South London has cancelled an appearance by Holocaust denier Alison Chabloz.

Lambeth’s Vauxhall Ward condemned the ‘Year-End Review in Speech and Song’ event, tweeting it was “shameful” the theatre would welcome someone with “abhorrent” views. “The right to free speech is not a right to platform,” they noted. “Antisemitism has no place in Vauxhall.”

A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesperson said it was “prudent” the venue heeded its call for Chabloz to be denied a platform.

Earlier this year, Chabloz was guilty of a communications offence concerning the classic Oliver Twist film involving the character Fagin. CAA noted Chabloz uploaded a video with a song of her own how Jews are “greedy”, “grift” for “shekels” and cheated on taxes.

Chabloz has ongoing prosecutions. She is connected to far-right movements in the UK and North America, and is currently banned from entering France, where Holocaust denial is illegal.

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