2002-02-01

MINOR

Church Action

CoE Divestment Motion Raised

Early Synod voices raised motions calling on the Church to consider divestment from companies profiting from Israeli occupation, reflecting growing unease in Anglican circles.

2006-02-06

NOTABLE

Church Action

Synod Votes for Caterpillar Divestment

The General Synod passed a motion calling for divestment from companies profiting from the illegal occupation of Palestine, singling out Caterpillar Inc., whose bulldozers were used to demolish Palestinian homes. The vote marked the CoE's first concrete economic action linked to the conflict.

2016-07-04

MINOR

Church Action

Synod Affirms Two-State Solution

General Synod reaffirmed support for a negotiated two-state solution, urging both Israeli and Palestinian leaders toward dialogue, maintaining a carefully balanced diplomatic posture.

2023-10-07

MAJOR

Conflict Event

Hamas Attack on Israel

Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage, triggering Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

2023-10-27

NOTABLE

Church Action

Archbishop of Canterbury Issues Statement

Justin Welby called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, marking a shift toward more explicit language than previous CoE statements on the conflict.

2024-01-26

MAJOR

Legal / International

ICJ Issues Provisional Measures Order

The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take measures to prevent acts under the Genocide Convention in Gaza, without halting military operations — a landmark legal moment.

2024-07-19

MAJOR

Legal / International

ICJ Advisory Opinion on Occupation

The ICJ ruled that Israel's prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful under international law, deploying language including 'colonial' characteristics. The ruling energised global calls for institutional responses.

2024-11-01

NOTABLE

Church Action

Palestinian Anglican Leaders Issue Open Letter

Senior Palestinian Anglican clergy, including leadership connected to the Diocese of Jerusalem, published an open letter to global Anglican leaders urging explicit condemnation of occupation as a colonial project.

2025-02-14

MAJOR

Conflict Event

Gaza Death Toll Passes 48,000

The Gaza Health Ministry recorded over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, intensifying pressure on Western institutions — including churches — to take formal positions on the conflict's moral character.

2026-07-19

MAJOR

Church Action

General Synod Debates 'Colonial Enterprise' Document

The Church of England's General Synod formally debated whether to receive and endorse a document describing Israel as a 'colonial enterprise.' Father Fadi Diab of Ramallah gave testimony. The vote represents the most significant potential institutional religious denunciation of Israeli policy by a major Western church.

2026-07-20

NOTABLE

Political

Andy Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister

Andy Burnham was appointed Prime Minister on 20 July 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer after being confirmed as Labour leader on 17 July 2026. His position on Palestinian rights is closely watched, giving the CoE's Synod debate on the Kairos Palestine documents heightened political resonance.