ELCA NEWS SERVICE
May 4, 2006
ELCA Presiding Bishop Urges Peace Efforts in the Middle East
06-063-AL*
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson,
presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA), joined other Christian leaders in the United States in an
appeal to U.S. President George W. Bush, Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to take
immediate actions to restore hope for peace in the Middle East.
In a May 2 letter, the leaders of 21 denominations,
churches, archdioceses and organizations from Orthodox, Catholic
and Protestant traditions raised concerns with the political
leaders about the pending humanitarian crisis, the threat of
violence, the establishment of a mutually negotiated border and
the status of Jerusalem. The letter was issued through Churches
for Middle East Peace, based here.
Recognizing new obstacles in the peace process, Hanson said,
"We affirm President Bush's vision of a two-state solution that
provides for a viable Palestinian state living in peace alongside
a secure Israel. But we are concerned that Hamas' rejectionist
rhetoric and Israel's actions on the ground are making that goal
seem impossible."
Citing the "looming humanitarian crisis" as their primary
concern, the faith leaders urged Bush, Abbas and Olmert "to adopt
policies and take actions that provide both space and opportunity
for the newly elected Hamas government to make positive changes,
while finding mechanisms that allow financial assistance to reach
the Palestinian people immediately."
The group encouraged Abbas to maintain his "persistent
commitment to peacemaking and nonviolence," and urged him and the
Palestinian people to "remain steadfast in pursuit of peace and
to press the officials of Hamas to accept previous agreements
regarding Israel and to renounce violence."
The letter addressed the need for the establishment of a
mutually negotiated border between Israel and Palestine. "It is
extremely important that decisions on the final status (on)
issues of borders, Jewish settlements, refugees, water and the
sovereignty of Jerusalem be agreed upon in the context of
negotiations and with the strong leadership of the United States
in cooperation with the Quartet and the Arab League," the
religious leaders said in the letter.
The Quartet -- the United States, European Union, Russia and
the United Nations -- proposed a "Road Map" for Middle East peace
in 2003. The Arab League is an organization of 22 independent
countries whose peoples speak mainly Arabic.
"While the separation barrier may prevent some terrorist
attacks," the religious leaders wrote, "we believe Israel's
security lies ultimately in a negotiated end of the occupation
that is accepted by the United Nations as the fulfillment of
Security Council resolutions and is consistent with the
requirements of the Geneva Conventions."
Hanson noted that the separation barrier, where it extends
beyond the Green Line, "is having a tremendously negative impact
both psychologically and economically on the potential for a
viable Palestinian state."
The religious leaders showed concern for the status of
Jerusalem in the letter. "We believe that a negotiated solution
for Jerusalem, that takes into account the profound dimensions of
the Holy City for Jews, Christians and Muslims globally is the
key to Middle East peace and the eventual reconciliation of the
Abrahamic family," they wrote.
"President Bush, President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert,"
the letter concluded, "you alone are capable of reawakening your
peoples to the promise of peace. Our urgent appeal to you is
witness to the great numbers of people of the Christian
tradition, in the United States and globally, who pray for peace
and for your strength and courage to be peacemakers."
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The full text of the letter is at
http://www.ELCA.org/advocacy/issues/middleeast/06-05-03-letter.html
and information about the ELCA's advocacy ministries, is at
http://www.ELCA.org/advocacy on the Web.
* Annie Lynsen is director for grassroots advocacy and
communication, ELCA Washington Office.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
