Statement by the Presbyterian Peace
Fellowship
on the Current Crisis in Israel/Palestine
April 5, 2002
[posted here on 4-5-02]
The Good Friday texts brought us again to Jesus' words:
"All who take the sword will perish by the sword." His
nonviolence in the face of arrest and torture, and his call for
forgiveness from the cross, continue to set before us the ideal of
Christian attitude and action.
In the face of the cycle of vengeance that has
descended into what appears to be a broad invasion by Israeli forces of
Palestinian controlled areas, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship again
states its conviction that acts of violence can not lead to security and
peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
This is especially true when the occupier attacks
civilians and flouts international law and appeals, and when the
occupied also attacks civilians.
This current invasion by Israel brings the crisis to a
more horrible level; the past months and these present actions do not
hold out the possibility of producing security for anyone; rather, they
increase the terror. Suicide bombers also create more terror and produce
similar difficulties for resolution.
We commend the courageous action of approximately 1000
Israeli soldiers who have refused to serve in the West Bank and Gaza,
seeing the Israeli occupation of those areas and the escalating military
actions as making matters worse for both people.
We speak to our own government, out of the conviction
that, in order to bring an end to Palestinian bombing on the one hand
and the destructive use of Israel's juggernaut on the other, it is
necessary to repudiate extremist views on both sides, and begin to
discuss immediately the political goals of a viable, contiguous, fully
sovereign Palestinian state existing side by side with Israel secure
within its pre-June 1967 borders.
Since a peace process can not happen without minimal
acceptance of these goals, the United States should insist upon them.
Recent efforts toward negotiation, such as the Saudi/Arab League
Proposal, or the Mitchell and Tenet proposals, should be pursued
vigorously.
President Bush's statement of April 4 moves in the
right direction, especially when he calls for a Palestinian state that
is "politically and economically viable" and for the end of
"settlement activity in the occupied territories" and for the
Israeli "occupation [to] end through withdrawal to secure and
recognized boundaries, consistent with United Nations Resolutions 242
and 338."
We encourage our government to link these statements
with efforts that will definitely implement them. United States' failure
to carry through on similar previous declarations has contributed to the
current impasse. If determined, consistent actions are taken now,
President Bush's position can mark a new beginning for both people.
Finally, we join with the Palestinian Lutheran Bishop
of Jerusalem, Munib A. Younan, in his Easter message when he proclaims:
"The resurrection of Christ assures us that, no
matter what, life is stronger than death. This gives us confidence
that the spiraling violence will not have the last word, nor will
injustice, occupation, illness, broken relationships, or anything else
which tears us down and is against God's will for all creation. Even
if we are crushed, the Resurrection gives us hope that both
Palestinians and Israelis can have peace, freedom, reconciliation and
security which will lead to the dignity and abundant life God intends
for all people. For Palestinian Christians the resurrection is the
only hope to which we cling."
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