ELCA NEWS SERVICE
December 30, 2008
ELCA Presiding Bishop Urges U.S. Involvement in Middle East
08-212-SHA
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined with
other U.S. religious leaders in calling on President George W.
Bush to do more to help end the escalation of violence between
Hamas and Israel.
"More than words are needed," said a Dec. 30 letter sent to
Bush. "We urge you to send a high level personal representative
to the region immediately to help negotiate a ceasefire."
The letter was signed by prominent Christian, Jewish and
Muslim leaders who are members of the National Interreligious
Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, an
organization of more than 25 religious organizations. The leaders
also urged the president to provide humanitarian aid to the
people of Gaza.
Churches for Middle East Peace also sent a letter to Bush.
It's a coalition of 22 public policy offices of national churches
and agencies -- Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. The ELCA is a
member of the coalition.
"As people of faith, we care deeply about the welfare of
both Israelis and Palestinians and deplore the violent deaths of
those caught in this conflict," said the Dec. 29 letter.
The letter said it was not enough for the United States to
urge Israel to avoid civilian targets, particularly because of
Israel's stated intention to expand and intensify its current
offensive.
"There can be no military solution to this conflict," the
letter said. "Only a political solution will bring a durable
peace to both Palestinians and Israelis."
-- -- --
Information about the letter from the National
Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East
is at http://www.nili-mideastpeace.org/ on the Web. The letter
from the Churches for Middle East Peace is at
http://www.cmep.org/documents/GazaLetterDecember.htm on the Web.
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
