June 27, 2002
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) continues to welcome positive efforts aimed at
achieving the goal of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Our colleagues in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerusalem
(serving in Palestine, Jordan and Israel) remind us of the daily
suffering and anguish. For too long, Palestinians and Israelis
have been engaged in a destructive spiral of violence and war,
with no end in sight. It is clear that the governments
representing Israelis and Palestinians cannot achieve peace on
their own. The time has come for determined international
leadership on this issue, and I affirm, on behalf of the ELCA,
several of the points articulated in President George W. Bush's
June 24 message on the Middle East:
- The ELCA welcomes the
President's renewed call for an independent Palestinian state,
and at the same time, his affirmation of Israel's right to
exist. Earlier this year, we welcomed the action of the United
Nations (U.N.) Security Council calling for establishment of a
Palestinian state and appreciate his reconfirmation of the
role of the U.N. Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 in
reaching a negotiated, final settlement. Through this and
similar actions we believe Palestinians and Israelis may one
day live side-by-side in peace.
- We vigorously condemn all
attacks on civilians and private property no matter the
source. The deliberate targeting of innocent children, women
and men is reprehensible, and does not contribute to the goal
of an independent Palestinian state or to the security of
Israel. We express our condolences to all families who have
lost loved ones. The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Church Council
and Conference of Bishops have spoken on the importance of
stopping all violent acts in the Middle East.
- We support President Bush's call
on Israel to remove military forces from
Palestinian-controlled areas, to stop building settlements in
the West Bank and Gaza, and to allow Palestinians freedom of
movement. Again, the ELCA has affirmed these actions or called
for stronger measures. For example, we believe that all
Israeli forces must withdraw from Palestinian territories to
the borders that existed before the 1967 war -- consistent
with U.N. resolutions -- and we believe there is a need for an
international force to maintain peace between Israelis and
Palestinians.
- Human rights must be preserved
and protected for the people living in the occupied
territories and must be based on international law and human
rights standards. We agree with the President that it is
essential for the international community, especially the
United States, to help the Palestinians improve their
political and economic systems. We appeal to Congress to
support the President in his efforts to provide assistance to
the Palestinian people.
On numerous occasions, the ELCA has
asked its members to support suffering people in the Middle East
through prayer and material assistance. In December 2000, the ELCA
initiated a Prayer Vigil for Middle East Peace in which
congregations pray for peace on a regular schedule. We pledge that
this vigil will continue until there is peace for all people in
that part of the world.
Our prayers are focused on the
people of the Middle East who suffer in the midst of political,
economic and social uncertainty and destruction. We pray also that
the leaders of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the United
States may be bold, courageous and wise in taking immediate,
specific steps and finding equitable solutions for all people in
this deeply troubled region.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
