In the first of CMECs debates series at the 2025 Conservative Party Conference CMEC discusses the future of Christianity in a politically changing Israel. CMEC Director Charlotte Leslie introduces 4 distinguished speakers: Mr Ghanem Nuseibeh, Chairman, Muslims Against Antisemitism; Maj. Gen. Jonathan Shaw CB CBE, former Assistant Chief of the General Staff; Jamie Eyre, CEO, Embrace the Middle East; and speaking remotely from her home in occupied East Jerusalem is the Palestinian Christian Mrs Hana Kirreh, consultant, researcher and peace activist
The West has often seen Israel as a port-in-a-storm for Christianity, in a frequently hostile region. But is this still true? As UK-sanctioned Israeli ministers, like Otzma Ben Gvir & Bazalel Smotrich increasingly drive Netanyahu's government with their extreme religious-nationalist views, extremist groups view Christians and churches as a target. We will hear about the threat to Christianity in Israel from church voices on the ground, and ask what the future holds for not only Christianity, but for secular and liberal values in a politically-changing Israel.