Church of Scotland minister hits out at Israel

A LEADING Church of Scotland minister has criticised Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

The Very Rev Gilleasbuig Macmillan commented days after a Kirk report questioned any claim of a divine right to particular territory. The report, due to be debated at the General Assembly next week, was redrafted after complaints, including from Israel’s ambassador.

Mr Macmillan, who is stepping down as minister at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, said he had strong feelings about Israel.

“The Palestinians have not been the most shining example of a law-abiding democracy, but the creation of these new settlements on the West Bank, the building of that dividing wall, separating people from their own orchards so they can’t pick their own fruit without enormous diversion – it’s difficult to know how the world has tolerated that,” he said.

The initial Kirk report asked whether the Old Testament really sanctioned “future occupation” of the land.