Bishop Michael said: "Our understandings of the sources of the sanctity of human life lie in our shared Scriptural heritage. For Christians a further supreme source of such understanding lies in the life of Jesus and in his resurrection. For Anglicans, these concepts have been developed in particular ways through the use of tradition and reason applied to the Scriptures."
In further discussion, emphasis was given to God's gift of life in creation, without diminishing the supreme and immeasurable value of human life created in the divine image.
Contemporary challenges and concrete situations were also addressed.
In light of these presentations and discussions, and in the wake of escalating terrorism in their respective societies and around the world, the delegations issued a call to their communities and to all people of faith and goodwill, to educate and promote the sanctity of human life as a supreme value.
In addition, the Commission called upon all those in positions of influence and authority to exercise their mandate and responsibility to advance the cause of peaceful, co-operative and just living - locally, regionally and internationally.
The Commission expressed the hope that in appreciating commonality and respecting differences, its work would encourage Jews and Anglicans around the world in their mutual explorations and dialogue.
The members stated that they looked forward to the future meetings of the Archbishop and the Chief Rabbis of Israel later in the year and to future meetings of the Commission.
The Commission noted the importance of other dialogues being taken forward regionally and particularly through the Council of Religious Leaders of the Holy Land in which the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem was a leading partner.
The Commission plans to meet regularly and next in Spring 2008.
Delegation of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Haifa
Rabbi David Brodman, Chief Rabbi of Savyon
Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber, Bar Ilan University
Rabbi David Rosen, President IJCIC
Mr Oded Wiener, Director General of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Delegation of the Archbishop of Canterbury
The Rt Revd Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher
Mrs Clare Amos, Director of Theological Studies, Anglican Communion
Mrs Jane Clements, Director of Programmes, Council of Christians and Jews
The Ven Michael Ipgrave, Archdeacon of Southwark
Canon Guy Wilkinson, Archbishop of Canterbury's Inter Faith Relations Secretary
(Source: ACNS)
