ELCA NEWS SERVICE

February 28, 2006

ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Careful Response to Hamas' Victory
06-029-AL*

     WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined 35 Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders in a nationwide appeal, urging President George W. Bush to make Israeli-Palestinian peace an urgent priority for U.S. policy in the coming months.
     In light of Hamas' victory in Palestinian elections and the incapacitating illness of Ariel Sharon, the religious leaders wrote a Feb. 28 letter to Bush, saying, "It is more important than ever that Israelis and Palestinians be assured that the United States, in coordination with other members of the Quartet, will provide consistent and determined leadership for progress toward peace." The leaders wrote that U.S. leadership for peace "would evoke united support of Americans and people worldwide." The Quartet -- the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations -- proposed a "Road Map" for Middle East peace in 2003.
     In the letter, the religious leaders expressed support for the president's "careful response to the Palestinian democratic election results" and for the United States "not acting precipitously to cut off aid to the Palestinian people." While urging the Bush administration to work immediately "to get the Palestinian Authority and Israel to agree on a lasting ceasefire," they also supported the president's "firm insistence that Hamas reject violence, recognize Israel and, consistent with the documented views of Palestinian and Israeli majorities, join the international consensus for a two-state solution."
     The National Interreligious Leadership Initiative that organized the appeal was founded in 2003 and includes: national leaders of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox churches, six major Protestant denominations, World Vision and other Christian organizations; Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Jewish leaders; and heads of major Islamic organizations, including the Islamic Society of North America.
      The religious leaders also met here with Karen Hughes, U.S. undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs. The leaders said they believe "achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace is essential for reducing the threat of global terrorism and easing tensions among religious communities worldwide."
     The religious leaders urged the Bush administration to take the following steps:
+ Press for an immediate, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire
+ Work to assure that the agreement on Gaza is fully implemented
+ Press Israelis and Palestinians to implement their initial "Road Map" obligations
+ Appoint an on-the-ground special envoy to manage and monitor negotiations
     The appeal to the president was launched nationally "to generate broad, public support, including bipartisan congressional support for active, fair and firm U.S. leadership for Israel-Palestinian peace."
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* Annie Lynsen is director for grassroots advocacy and communication, ELCA Washington (D.C.) Office.

     The full text of the letter to President Bush is at www.ELCA.org/advocacy/issues/middleeast/06-02-28-presidentletter.html on the ELCA Web site.
 
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