International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, 22 Jun 2010

British Jewish leaders have condemned a "skewed" report on Israel prepared by the Methodist Church in the UK, warning it could set back interfaith relations for years.

The report, to be debated at the church's national conference later this month, calls for a boycott of goods from "illegal" West Bank settlements, and political lobbying to end Israel's occupation and the "siege of Gaza."

Over the past few days, Jewish organizations in London and Manchester have protested about the report's contents in meetings with Methodist representatives.

Meanwhile, a special Middle East Study Committee of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has also drafted a slanted report on the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, which will be taken up at the denomination's bi-annual General Assembly in Minneapolis in early July.

Members of the Presbyterian church will consider proposals for putting pressure on the Obama administration to stop US aid to Israel until the Israeli government ends the expansion of settlements in Palestinian territories, ceases its occupation of Gaza, and relocates Israel's separation barrier outside of Palestinian territories.

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