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Stephen Sizer

Stephen Sizer is a retired Anglican who served as vicar of Christ Church, from 1997 until his retirement in 2017. Ordained in 1983, he previously held positions as and in earlier parishes. Sizer is known for his writings critiquing , including the book Christian Zionism: Roadmap to published in 2004. Sizer founded Peacemaker Trust, a registered dedicated to peacemaking efforts, particularly supporting persecuted minorities, and serves as its director. He also chairs the Convivencia Alliance and the branch of the Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD ). His work emphasizes advocacy for and opposition to theological support for within . In 2022, a tribunal found Sizer guilty of a in and engaging in antisemitic activity, based on allegations spanning 2005 to 2018, including sharing links to materials promoting antisemitic theories about 9/11 and associations deemed insensitive to the Jewish . The tribunal specifically upheld charges related to a 2006 meeting with a official and defenses of social media posts linking to the 9/11 attacks. As a result, in January 2023, he was prohibited from exercising ministry until December 2030, reflecting the Church's stance against and commitment to interfaith relations.

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Family Background

Stephen Robert Sizer was born on 27 July 1953. Publicly available information on Sizer's early childhood and family origins is limited, with no detailed accounts of his parents, siblings, or formative experiences documented in primary sources such as his personal writings or official biographies.

Academic and Theological Training

Stephen Sizer obtained a degree in geography from the in 1976. In 1980, Sizer was accepted for ministerial training within the , undertaking theological studies at Trinity College, Bristol, an evangelical Anglican institution. He completed a Diploma in Higher Education in theology there in 1983, which prepared him for . Sizer pursued advanced postgraduate studies, earning a (M.Th.) from the . In 2003, he received a from Oak Hill Theological College, a conservative evangelical affiliated with , with his dissertation focusing on .

Clerical Career

Ordination and Initial Ministry

Stephen Sizer was ordained as a in the in 1983. Following , Sizer served as at Holy Trinity Church in St Leonard's-on-Sea, , from 1983 to 1986. In this role, he assisted the in duties, including preaching, , and community outreach, typical for entry-level ordained clergy in the Anglican tradition. From 1986 to 1997, Sizer ministered at St John's Church in Stoke, , , initially as curate-in-charge and later advancing to . As , he held primary responsibility for the parish's spiritual leadership, , and growth, overseeing services, baptisms, and local efforts during a period of church expansion in suburban . These positions marked his foundational experience in Anglican parochial ministry before assuming more prominent leadership roles.

Leadership at Christ Church, Virginia Water

Stephen Sizer served as vicar of Christ Church, , an Anglican parish in , , from 1997 until his early retirement in April 2017. This 20-year period encompassed his primary pastoral leadership in the affluent village of . Under Sizer's guidance, the church observed its 175th anniversary in 2013, reflecting on local transformations since its founding in the amid a context of economic and demographic shifts in the area. His emphasized theological and preaching, including sermons on topics such as and biblical interpretation, delivered to the congregation. The parish maintained ongoing community involvement, though specific metrics on attendance or expansion during this era are not documented in available records.

Retirement and Continued Engagement

Sizer retired from his position as vicar of Christ Church, , in 2017 after two decades of service. Following retirement, he relocated to the area and established Peacemaker Trust, a registered focused on promoting peacemaking initiatives, particularly in contexts involving the of minorities. As founder and director, Sizer has directed the organization's efforts toward advocacy, research, and support for , including publications and programs addressing theological and geopolitical disputes. Post-retirement, Sizer maintained active involvement in public discourse through writing, international speaking engagements, and online platforms, often reiterating critiques of and positions on the Israel- conflict. He has continued to organize or participate in pilgrimages and educational tours to , drawing on personal experiences dating back decades. His personal website and , including a page with thousands of followers, serve as outlets for sharing articles, commentary, and updates on global peacemaking efforts as of 2025. In December 2022, a Disciplinary Tribunal found Sizer guilty of to the office of a in , specifically citing repeated sharing of antisemitic material online between 2016 and 2021, including content alleging disproportionate Jewish influence and conspiracy theories. The tribunal's January 2023 penalty judgment imposed a 12-year from holding any office or engaging in ministerial duties, effective until 2030, following complaints from Jewish advocacy groups. This sanction, upheld despite Sizer's appeals and claims of targeted persecution over his anti-Zionist views, curtailed formal clerical roles but did not restrict his non-ministerial activities with Peacemaker Trust. As of February 2025, Peacemaker Trust faced a formal complaint from campaigners, prompting scrutiny of its materials and operations amid ongoing allegations of bias in its focus on Palestinian advocacy over broader minority protections. Sizer has defended the charity's mission as impartial peacemaking, continuing to lead it amid these challenges while engaging in interviews and public statements on related issues.

Theological Positions

Critique of Christian Zionism

Stephen Sizer has articulated a sustained theological critique of , primarily through his 2004 book Christian Zionism: Road-map to ?, republished in 2021, in which he argues that the movement distorts biblical interpretation by applying a literalist, hermeneutic to land promises, thereby subordinating the centrality of Christ's and the New Covenant's fulfillment of prior shadows. He contends that promotes an exclusive focus on ethnic Jews and the modern state of as divine fulfillments, diminishing the church's role as the inclusive spiritual heir to Abraham's promises, contrary to teachings such as 3:28-29, which universalize inheritance through faith in Christ rather than ethnicity or territory. Biblically, Sizer asserts that the Abrahamic land covenant ( 12:1, 15:18) points typologically to a cosmic, heavenly , as evidenced by :10-16, where Abraham seeks a with foundations whose is , not a Middle Eastern nation-state. He maintains that historical fulfillments under ( 21:43-45) and partial returns from exile ( 9:8-9) exhausted the promises' literal application, with any future conditioned on repentance and faith (Deuteronomy 30:1-5; Romans 11:23-26), conditions unmet by secular . ' teachings further spiritualize the land, as in Matthew 5:5, where the meek , and Acts 1:6-8, redirecting disciples from national to global witness. Sizer rejects dispensationalist separations of and the church, viewing them as incompatible with the apostles' . Historically, Sizer traces Christian Zionism's origins to 19th-century , particularly John Nelson Darby's from the 1830s, which preceded Theodor Herzl's political by decades and influenced British imperial support for a Jewish homeland, as seen in the 1917 . He argues the movement gained traction post-1967 , with U.S. evangelicals—comprising about 60% of global adherents—providing theological justification for Israeli expansionism, often through organizations like . Politically, Sizer warns that Christian Zionism's eschatological anticipation of fosters , undermining peacemaking by endorsing Israeli policies such as settlements and what he terms apartheid-like measures against since 1967, in violation of and . He claims it marginalizes , whose 1988 Jerusalem Declaration repudiated such theology for enabling ethnic displacement, and prioritizes prophetic timelines over , exacerbating rather than resolving it through in Christ. Endorsements from figures like affirm Sizer's analysis as biblically grounded, though his covenantal remains disputed by proponents of distinct future roles for .

Perspectives on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Stephen Sizer has articulated a theological framework for understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict that emphasizes covenantal fulfillment in Christ over dispensationalist interpretations favoring modern Israel's restoration as prophetic. He argues that Christian Zionism, which posits the State of Israel as central to end-times prophecy, distorts biblical eschatology and fosters uncritical support for Israeli policies, thereby exacerbating injustice toward Palestinians. In works like Christian Zionism: Road-map to Armageddon? (first published 2004, republished 2021), Sizer contends that such theology ignores New Testament teachings on the Church as the spiritual heir to Abrahamic promises, leading Christians to prioritize geopolitical Zionism over peacemaking. Sizer critiques policies as perpetuating a discriminatory system in occupied territories, describing the post-1967 occupation as permanent rather than temporary, with settlements functioning as colonies that fragment Palestinian and restrict to resources. He highlights the expansion of over 700,000 settlers in the and , which he views as violations of under UN Security Council Resolution 242, calling for Israel's withdrawal from territories seized in the 1967 war. Regarding , Sizer has labeled military operations as genocidal, citing figures such as over 15,000 babies killed by April 2025 and accusing Western churches, including the , of complicity through silence or theological justification rooted in . He supports Palestinian rights, including conditional and compensation for displaced persons, but ties this to Israel relinquishing its identity as a , implying a potential alongside recognition of Palestinian statehood. In advocating for resolution, Sizer urges Christians to heed calls from Palestinian believers for ending the and pursuing , as outlined in documents like the 2006 Jerusalem Declaration and subsequent appeals. He endorses multi-faith efforts for and highlights the resilience of amid displacement, framing peace as alignment with ' teachings on non- rather than eschatological conflict. While affirming Israel's right to exist as a nation-state, Sizer attributes ongoing to Zionist and Western backing, warning that Christian support for settlements and military actions fuels and hinders . These positions, drawn from his writings and since the early 2000s, position the conflict as a moral imperative for the to prioritize equity for oppressed minorities over prophetic literalism.

Broader Views on Peacemaking and Persecuted Minorities

Sizer has articulated peacemaking as a transformative process rooted in Christian discipleship, emphasizing that it involves becoming a peacemaker through personal character development rather than mere actions. He frames this in biblical terms, drawing on passages like Matthew 5 to highlight peacemaking as one of Christ's priorities, alongside mercy and purity of heart, and warns of the costs involved, including potential persecution. Through his founding of Peacemaker Trust in 2017, Sizer has promoted peacemaking initiatives focused on reconciliation and justice, particularly in conflict zones where human rights are suppressed. In addressing persecuted minorities, Sizer's work centers on advocating for Christian communities facing discrimination, especially in the . He has argued for strategic alliances between Middle Eastern and moderate to counter and foster stability, suggesting that separation of and is impractical in the region. In a 2009 conference paper, Sizer examined "Christian Minorities living under Muslim rule," highlighting historical and contemporary challenges such as status and calls for equitable treatment under Islamic governance. Peacemaker Trust's mission explicitly targets support for such groups, including references to organizations like that document Christian globally. Sizer extends this advocacy to broader contexts, including and areas of denied justice, positioning his efforts as pro-reconciliation rather than aligned with specific national causes. His engagements, spanning over 30 countries, have included promoting dialogues involving Muslim, Christian, and Jewish participants in locations like and . While critics have questioned the balance in his focus, Sizer maintains that true requires addressing root injustices affecting vulnerable minorities without favoritism.

Published Works and Intellectual Contributions

Major Books and Monographs

Stephen Sizer's major monographs center on critiques of and related biblical interpretations, forming a thematic published primarily by InterVarsity Press (IVP). These works argue from a covenantal perspective that the modern state of does not fulfill unconditional biblical promises to ethnic , emphasizing instead the as the spiritual heir to Abrahamic covenants. His first significant theological monograph, Christian Zionism: Road-map to Armageddon?, was published in 2004 by IVP. The book traces the historical origins of Christian Zionism from the 16th century Reformation through 19th-century dispensationalism, analyzing its variants, scriptural foundations—particularly interpretations of Romans 11 and —and geopolitical ramifications, including support for Israeli policies seen as exacerbating conflict. Sizer contends that this ideology distorts toward a premillennial framework predicting apocalyptic events centered on . The monograph draws on primary theological sources and has been translated into Arabic, Farsi, , and . Complementing this, Zion's Christian Soldiers? The Bible, and the , released in by IVP, serves as an accessible sequel addressing popular-level defenses of . Sizer examines key proof-texts like Genesis 12:3 and Zechariah 12, arguing they apply to the rather than a restored Jewish nation-state, and critiques alliances between evangelicals and Israeli expansionism as biblically unfounded. Foreword by , the book critiques uncritical U.S. evangelical support for , linking it to influences. It has undergone reprints, including by Wipf and Stock in 2021. Sizer also authored In the Footsteps of Jesus and the Apostles in 2004 with Eagle Publishing, a devotional guide to biblical sites in Israel and Palestine, building on his earlier photographic works like A Panorama of the Holy Land (1998). While less polemical, it contextualizes holy land tourism within theological reflection, urging pilgrims to prioritize New Testament ethics over modern political claims to the land. This completes his core output on the intersection of scripture, history, and contemporary Middle East dynamics.

Articles, Contributions, and Online Writings

Sizer has published numerous articles in Christian and Middle Eastern publications, primarily critiquing and advocating for peacemaking in the -Palestine conflict. His contributions appear in journals such as the Christian Research Journal, where in 2006 he authored "Modern in : Promised Return or Impending Exile?", arguing against dispensationalist interpretations that view the modern State of as fulfilling unfulfilled biblical prophecies. In 2007, he contributed "American Apocalypse" to , examining eschatological influences on U.S. foreign policy toward . Earlier, in the 1990s, Sizer wrote for Evangelicals Now, including "Where to Find Christ in the ," which emphasized a Christocentric reading of land promises over territorial claims. Additional journal and magazine pieces include responses to pro-Zionist works, such as his 2008 critique of David Pawson's Defending Christian Zionism, published online, which contested Pawson's restorationist theology as biblically inconsistent. Sizer has also contributed to outlets like Third Way and Friends of Al Aqsa, focusing on ethical pilgrimage, biblical ethics, and conflict resolution, though specific titles from these remain less documented in public archives. In 2013, he published "Christian Zionism: The New Heresy that Undermines the Middle East Peace Process" in Middle East Monitor, positing that evangelical support for Israel obstructs equitable negotiations by prioritizing prophetic fulfillment over justice. More recently, in June 2022, Sizer reviewed Palestinians and Israelis: A Short History of Conflict for Review, highlighting historical asymmetries in the conflict. Sizer maintains an active online presence through his personal website, stephensizer.com, where he posts entries and commentaries on current events, , and advocacy. These writings often address , church responses to the Israel-Palestine situation, and defenses against accusations of bias. For instance, in May 2024, he published "The Church of and ," critiquing institutional silence on Palestinian suffering. In February 2025, following inquiries from Evangelicals Now, Sizer responded with "The and Spurious Allegations of ," rejecting claims of prejudice while reiterating calls for and accountability. His October 2025 article, "The Church of ’s Shameful Complicity in the ," appeared in the Washington Report on Affairs, accusing Anglican leadership of complicity through inaction. topics extend to biblical exposition, such as "Always Pray and Do Not Give Up" (Luke 18:1-8), blending scriptural reflection with appeals. Beyond standalone articles, Sizer has presented conference papers later adapted into writings, including "The Christian Jihadist" (2010, ) and "Christian Jihad: A Biblical Case for Proactive " (2017, ), framing non-violent resistance as a scriptural imperative amid conflict. These contributions consistently prioritize covenantal theology over , urging Christians to support justice for all parties, particularly persecuted minorities, while challenging uncritical allegiance to political .

Public Roles and Organizations

Founding and Leadership of Peacemaker Trust

Peacemaker Trust was founded by Stephen Sizer in 2017 as a aimed at advancing initiatives. It was formally registered as a charity (number 1171163) in January 2017 and publicly launched on May 6, 2017, at Christ Church, in , coinciding with Sizer's transition following his retirement from parish ministry. The charity's incorporation as a (number 10033523) supported its operational structure, enabling it to function as a catalyst for reconciliation in conflict zones. Under Sizer's direction, Peacemaker Trust focuses on supporting persecuted minorities, advocating for justice where are suppressed, and promoting through , financial , and public engagement. As founder and director, Sizer oversees its core activities, including the publication of Peacemaker News updates on global initiatives, funding for relief projects in areas of deprivation, and dissemination of educational resources on peacemaking. The organization relies on donations via standing orders, bank transfers, and online platforms to sustain efforts such as to displaced communities and for in regions marked by ethnic or religious tensions. Sizer's leadership emphasizes a Christian theological framework for , drawing from his prior experience in over 30 countries to prioritize empirical needs like abuses over partisan narratives. While the Trust maintains a small operational footprint, Sizer's role extends to coordinating international partnerships and e-newsletters distributed six times annually to subscribers, fostering awareness of underreported conflicts. No additional trustees or board members are prominently detailed in , underscoring Sizer's central authority in strategic decisions and mission execution.

International Speaking and Advocacy

Stephen Sizer has engaged in international speaking engagements primarily focused on critiquing and advocating for Palestinian rights within Christian contexts. In July 2007, he spoke in the , addressing theological perspectives on and the . By 2008, Sizer undertook a tour of the , including , where he delivered talks on Christian Zionism's implications for peace. These efforts extended to the Christ at the Checkpoint in , , where he presented on biblical interpretations challenging Zionist . Sizer's advocacy included repeated visits to Palestine, organizing pilgrimages annually or more frequently starting from the early 2000s to promote understanding of the region's conflicts from a perspective. In 2014, he participated in a in , , speaking on panels regarding the influence of pro-Israel . Further U.S. engagements followed, such as the 2018 Christ at the Checkpoint event in , emphasizing non-violent resistance and critique of settlement policies. In 2019, he addressed students at in Georgia on the historical and theological roots of . Through Peacemaker Trust, founded in 2017, Sizer has supported international peacemaking initiatives, particularly aiding persecuted Christian minorities in the and advocating against what he describes as apartheid-like conditions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His involvement with organizations like Sabeel has included speaking at global conferences, such as the 2024 Sabeel event, challenging and promoting justice-oriented . These activities underscore Sizer's commitment to influencing evangelical audiences abroad toward alternative interpretations of biblical prophecy and support for equitable resolutions in the region.

Controversies and Responses

Early Incidents and Public Backlash (2012–2014)

In October 2011, Sizer linked on his Facebook page to an article hosted on The Ugly Truth, a website known for promoting Holocaust denial and conspiracy theories alleging Jewish control over global media and governments. The link remained active until January 2012, prompting complaints from Jewish organizations including the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ), which described the site's content as "antisemitic" and urged Sizer to remove it and apologize. Sizer initially defended the link as unrelated to the site's broader content but removed it after feedback; in April 2012, he issued a statement acknowledging the site's offensive material while rejecting accusations of endorsing Holocaust denial, attributing the incident to a lapse in due diligence on social media. The incident drew public criticism from British Jewish groups, with the Board of Deputies of British Jews and others labeling it as evidence of antisemitic associations, leading to calls for intervention. In response, and the Crown Prosecution Service reviewed complaints but declined to pursue charges, citing insufficient evidence of criminality. Sizer met with CCJ representatives in 2012, expressing regret for any offense caused but maintaining that his critique targeted rather than collectively. In 2013, Sizer shared another link to , a site accused by watchdogs of disseminating and Zionist conspiracy narratives, including claims of Jewish orchestration of world events. This prompted renewed backlash, with the () and others highlighting it as part of a pattern of engaging problematic sources. Sizer admitted regretting the posts in 2013 during conciliation talks with the Board of Deputies, reaffirming his opposition to antisemitism and while agreeing to exercise greater caution online; the Board accepted his but expressed ongoing concerns about his associations. In September 2014, Sizer spoke at the New Horizon Conference in , , an event organized by the Iranian regime and featuring speakers known for , 9/11 trutherism blaming , and antisemitic tropes such as Jewish global influence. Jewish leaders, including the Board of Deputies, condemned his participation as endorsing an "anti-Semitic hate-fest," citing the conference's agenda that included sessions on Mossad's alleged role in 9/11 and critiques framed in conspiratorial terms. Sizer defended his attendance as an opportunity to advocate for Palestinian rights and Christian perspectives on peacemaking, denying any endorsement of antisemitism and noting his explicit opposition to it in his remarks; his issued a statement expressing disappointment over the "appalling judgment" but stopped short of formal sanctions at the time.

Escalating Allegations and Investigations (2015–2021)

In January 2015, Sizer shared a link to a Wikispooks article titled "9/11 Israel did it?", commenting that it "raises many questions" about the , prompting immediate backlash from Jewish organizations and others who viewed it as promoting an antisemitic implicating and . Sizer apologized on January 30, 2015, describing the article as containing "absurd" claims and expressing regret for any distress caused, while maintaining he had not endorsed its content. The Diocese of Guildford launched an investigation under the Church of England's Clergy Discipline Measure, leading Bishop Andrew Watson to issue an ultimatum in 2015: Sizer must cease public commentary on Israel-Palestine issues and limit social media use, or face potential removal from office. Sizer agreed to a formal undertaking, including a six-month ban on all , no public statements on the without diocesan approval, and avoidance of events or materials deemed inflammatory toward Jewish communities. The Board of Deputies of condemned the original post as echoing classic antisemitic tropes and welcomed the restrictions, though critics argued the sanctions were insufficient given prior incidents. By October 2016, Sizer breached the undertaking by attending and promoting on an event chaired by Baroness Jenny Tonge, a peer known for defending and making controversial statements about , which violated the prohibition on engaging with potentially divisive Middle East-related activities. The diocese issued a warning, but no further formal discipline ensued at the time; the Board of Deputies highlighted the breach as evidence of non-compliance, predicting it would tarnish his clerical career. Following his retirement from Christ Church, , in 2017, Sizer founded and led Peacemaker Trust, continuing advocacy on Palestinian issues, which drew renewed complaints from 2018 onward, including allegations of sharing content portraying as targeted by "hidden hands of Zionists" and associating with figures accused of . In 2021, scrutiny intensified over Peacemaker Trust's receipt of £6,600 from his former parish and Sizer's online campaigns against programs like Masa Israel Journey, criticized by opponents as invoking tropes against Jewish educational initiatives. These incidents fueled cumulative complaints to the by the Board of Deputies, escalating toward a formal Clergy Discipline Measure process initiated in the by late 2021.

2022 Tribunal, Verdict, and Sanctions

The Bishop's Disciplinary Tribunal for the convened from 23 to 27 May 2022 to adjudicate 11 allegations of against the Revd Dr Stephen Sizer under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003, brought by the Board of Deputies of and spanning activities from 2005 to 2018. The allegations centered on claims of to the office and work of a in , including instances of insensitivity, provocation, and antisemitic activity toward the Jewish community. On 6 December 2022, the tribunal issued its verdict, upholding four allegations as constituting misconduct while dismissing the remaining seven for lack of sufficient evidence of unbecoming conduct or antisemitism.%206%20December%202022.pdf) Proven instances included: meeting Hezbollah military commander Sheikh Nabil Kaouk in summer 2006, which demonstrated a lack of sensitivity to Jewish concerns over the group's designation as a terrorist organization; posting a link in September 2010 to an article titled "9/11 The Mother of All Coincidences," deemed insensitive for implying Israeli foreknowledge of the attacks; sharing in January 2015 a link to an article titled "9-11/Israel did it," ruled virulently antisemitic for invoking classic tropes of Jewish conspiracy and control; and defending the 2015 post in a 2018 radio interview, where responses were found disingenuous. Antisemitism was established solely in the 2015 posting, with the tribunal applying the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition and determining that Sizer "crossed the line... engaging in anti-Semitic activity" by promoting content that fulfilled longstanding antisemitic stereotypes, regardless of intent to endorse every detail. The overall finding was that Sizer's actions provoked and offended the Jewish community, rendering his conduct unbecoming, though the tribunal emphasized evaluation of specific acts rather than Sizer's character or broader motives. On 30 January 2023, following submissions on penalty, the imposed prohibition from all forms of clerical office, ministry, and priestly functions until December 2030. This sanction, among the longer modern s in the , was justified by the tribunal president as proportionate to the "seriousness of the misconduct," particularly the antisemitic elements that undermined Christian-Jewish relations and encouraged tropes. The Acting , the Rt Revd , affirmed the penalty's alignment with the verdict's gravity, while the , , described Sizer's behavior as having "undermined Christian-Jewish relations" and urged clergy vigilance against such patterns. Sizer retained the option to apply for permission to appeal the findings within 28 days of the initial verdict, though no successful appeal was reported.

Defenses, Supporter Perspectives, and Critiques of Accusations

Sizer has consistently denied being antisemitic by nature or motivation, emphasizing that his criticisms target and Israeli policies rather than Jewish people or identity. In his to the 2022 Church of England tribunal, he rejected allegations spanning 2005–2020, arguing they stemmed from his advocacy for and opposition to what he describes as apartheid-like conditions in , as documented in reports by and . He accepted the tribunal's findings of one instance of antisemitic conduct—a 2015 Facebook post linking to a about 's role in 9/11—for which he had previously apologized in 2015 and 2018, clarifying he never believed Israel was complicit and regretting the post's offense to Jewish communities. Supporters, including organizations like the Israeli Committee Against House Demolition (ICAHD), have portrayed the charges as "trumped-up" and an extreme overreach by the Church of England to punish defense of Palestinian rights, asserting that labeling such advocacy as antisemitism conflates legitimate policy critique with prejudice. Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) described the case as a "ten-year vendetta" initiated by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, highlighting that the tribunal dismissed seven of eleven allegations, found only one antisemitic act amid three cases of unbecoming conduct (e.g., a 2006 Hezbollah photo and a 2010 article link), and explicitly stated Sizer was "not antisemitic by nature." JVL and commentator Antony Lerman criticized the subsequent 12-year ban imposed on January 30, 2023, as a miscarriage of justice disproportionate to the findings, influenced by external pressure to equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Critiques of the accusations from Sizer's allies focus on their selective application and potential to stifle discourse on Israel- issues. Sizer's website contends that complaints, such as those over his participation in 2023–2024 solidarity demonstrations, misinterpret slogans like "From the river to the sea" as calls for Jewish elimination rather than demands for Palestinian freedom, drawing parallels to historical anti-apartheid rhetoric. Supporters argue the Church bowed to pro-Israel lobbying, as evidenced by media portrayals exaggerating the tribunal's December 6, 2022, verdict as multiple convictions, despite the panel's nuanced conclusion that Sizer's errors were lapses in judgment, not inherent bias. The Jewish Network for similarly framed the tribunal as an attempt to silence critics, positioning Sizer's work through Peacemaker Trust as aligned with justice and reconciliation efforts. These perspectives maintain that true involves discrimination against as a people, distinct from opposing Zionist ideology, which Sizer equates with racism per resolutions and analyses.

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