wfn.org | [ENS] Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold's statement regarding

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Thursday, May 20, 2004

Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold called upon President Bush and Secretary
Powell to demand that the Israeli Government cease its attacks on civilians
and their homes in the Gaza refugee camp of Rafah

ENS 052004-3 

[Episcopal News Service] It is sadly ironic that following an Israeli peace
demonstration, the largest in years, supporting evacuation of settlements in
Gaza, attacks by Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza have cost many civilian lives
and demolished many homes, causing grave human suffering.  

Israels legitimate need for self defense against terrorism requires
proportionality and cannot justify tank and helicopter attacks on civilians
that have resulted in the deaths of dozens of non combatants, including women
and children, in the Rafah area.  These attacks included the reckless killing
of civilians protesting against the destruction of their homes and
neighborhoods and are wrong and unacceptable.  Obstruction and delays of
ambulances by Israeli forces have also increased suffering.   Nor does any
compelling security need justify the widespread destruction of the homes of
Palestinian families across a wide area in Rafah that has multiplied the
humanitarian damage.  

As an ally of Israel and a friend of the Palestinians, the United States has
a moral responsibility to demand that Israel end these attacks on
Palestinians while demanding that Palestinians also abandon violence and
terror.  The need is urgent for both sides to renew peaceful negotiations to
end the terrible cycle of violence in the land that is called holy.  

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