THE Church of Scotland has been criticised over a discussion paper questioning Israel's right to exist, which states that its claim to the so-called "promised land" could be invalidated by its treatment of Palestinians.
The paper, entitled The Inheritance of Abraham? A report of the 'promised land', is due to be presented before the Kirk's General Assemby later this month.
However, it has sparked outrage from Jewish leaders by questioning Israel's right to exist and suggesting the Church of Scotland should consider backing "economic and political measures involving boycotts, disinvestments and sanctions against the state of Israel focused on illegal settlements".
The Kirk paper concludes: "Christians should not be supporting any claims by Jewish or any other people, to an exclusive or even privileged divine right to possess particular territory. It is a misuse of the Bible to use it as a topographic guide to settle contemporary conflicts over land. In the Bible, God's promises extend in hope to all land and people."
Inter-faith groups have accused the Kirk paper of being "ill-considered" and "regressive".
The Kirk reportedly responded to the criticism by saying the paper reflected the viewpoint of just one of the councils within the Church.
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