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Conflict in the Middle
East
Background
In their October 12, 2000, letter to President Bill Clinton, Presiding Bishop George
Anderson and the Conference of Bishops encouraged the President in his "efforts to
bring an end to the violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories, renew
negotiations, and forge a just and comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and the
Palestinians." The letter continued:
"We have watched, heartbroken, as the numbers of killed and injured rise. We are
particularly aware of the impact the fighting is having on the Palestinian community
because of our church's closeness to Lutheran congregations in and around Jerusalem and
our involvement with the Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives.
"Our Palestinian church partners have repeatedly appealed to the international
community for protection for the Palestinians in Jerusalem and in the Palestinian
territories. They fear for their safety because of the presence and activities of armed
settlers, often protected by Israeli troops, and vigilante patrols. We ask that you help
to put into place the protection that is needed for those who are vulnerable in this
context."
In an October 3, 2000, statement, Presiding Bishop Anderson said:
On behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I would like to express my
condolences to all those who have lost loved ones in these recent clashes and ask God to
comfort them in their time of grief. We will continue to work and pray for an end to the
violence, seek to bolster those who search for a negotiated end to the conflict, and
support those who provide pastoral care, emergency medical assistance, and other services
in this time of crisis.
The board of ELCA Global Mission, in October 2000, approved a resolution
and referred the resolution to the Church Council for action.
Church Council Action
Whereas, we have
witnessed with deep distress, sorrow, and concern the recent resurgence of violent
conflict in the Middle East; and
Whereas, we have heard from our sisters and brothers in the churches in the region, in
particular the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCJ) (and Palestine), of the
tangible effects of the violence and imposed closure on their daily lives that affects
access to food and other basic necessities, the land for harvesting, hospitals,
employment, places of worship, and schools; and
Whereas, the ELCJ (and Palestine) and the Lutheran World Federation’s Augusta
Victoria Hospital have been and continue to provide vital spiritual, medical, and other
assistance to those most severely affected by the conflict; and
Whereas, we are grateful that our presiding bishop and the Conference of Bishops have
conveyed our concerns to members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the
President of the United States; and
Whereas, statements and letters from church leaders in Jerusalem, the Middle East
Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Council of Churches, and the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. have been received by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and
Whereas, our missionaries in the area have been given the option to leave but have
elected to stay to accompany the local church even at risk to themselves and their
families; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA):
(1) encourage members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to support through
prayer and material assistance the people in the region affected by civil strife;
(2) request staff to explore - with the Office of the Presiding Bishop, relevant
churchwide units, and the inter-unit working group on the Middle East - the
possibilities for particular expressions of concern, such as:
(a) a letter from the presiding bishop to all congregations;
(b) coordinated days of prayer and fasting for an end to the violence in Israel and
Palestine;
(c) an ELCA delegation visit to the region as soon as feasible; and
(d) financial support in coordination with the International Disaster Fund and ELCA Global Mission;
(3) affirm the expressions of concern for peace, justice, and reconciliation conveyed
to U.S. policy-makers and strongly encourage members of the ELCA to engage in similar
advocacy, utilizing resources available through the Division for Church in Society’s
Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, and Churches for Middle East Peace, as well as
educational resources available through ELCA Global Mission;
(4) request staff to work with other churchwide units to encourage all congregations to
utilize the Palestine packet and "Mosaic" video (Fall 1999) to help them better
understand the issues facing this region;
(5) commend our mission staff in the region, continue to raise them up in prayer, and
recommit ourselves to their support;
(6) commend the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bishop Munib
Younan, its congregations, and schools for steadfastness in faith and courage in witness
throughout this time of crisis; for their ministries of reconciliation and peacemaking;
for their tireless assistance and service, including ministries with traumatized children,
stranded students, and congregation members;
(7) express to the Evangelical Lutheran Church the solidarity
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in prayer, fellowship, and material and
financial support in this critical time; and
(8) request that ELCA Global Mission bring a report to the April 2001
meeting of the Church Council regarding the material and financial support made available
to the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
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