wfn.org | Letter to Bush Says Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Threatens U.S.

["Carol Fouke" <cfouke@ncccusa.org>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			

Letter to Bush Says Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Threatens U.S.

January 21, 2005, Washington, D.C. -- In a full-page ad in today's national
edition of The New York Times, leaders of Orthodox, Roman Catholic,
Protestant and Evangelical churches and institutions urge President Bush to
have the courage to seize the opportunity and bring his leadership to ending
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  

The 57 signers, including National Council of Churches USA General Secretary
Robert Edgar (leading an official NCC delegation to the Middle East Jan.
21-Feb. 4 - see www.ncccusa.org for story) and top leadership of a dozen NCC
member churches (denominations), begin with their concern for the security
and freedom of Israelis and Palestinians.  Then they add an appeal to the
security and reputation of the United States itself.

"The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become a threat to the people of the
United States," they write in their open letter to the newly inaugurated
President. "Every day the conflict continues, hatred of the United States
government is fueled. With each news report of Palestinian suffering . . .
popular support in Arab and Muslim countries for terrorism grows and the
threat of attacks directed at the United States increases. The continuing
conflict has also resulted in suffering and loss of life among Israeli
citizens. We want Israelis, too, to live without fear or threat in their own
country."

They continue, "A hallmark of your campaign was the commitment to defeat
terror and make our country more secure. We believe that the promise of peace
in Jerusalem is the best defense against terrorism. We encourage you to
maintain the faith, the courage and the resolve to work with other world
leaders toward negotiations that guarantee two viable states, Israel and
Palestine, living side-by-side and sharing Jerusalem as their capital."

They conclude: "We believe that the promise of peace in Jerusalem is the best
defense against terrorism."

The letters' signers represent a broad spectrum of Christians in the United
States. Among the signers are the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary
of the National Council of Churches USA, and these top leaders of NCC member
churches: Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America; Metropolitan Philip Saliba of the Antiochian Orthodox
Archdiocese; the Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary, Reformed
Church in America; the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop, The
Episcopal Church in America; the Rev. Dr. Stan Hastey, Alliance of Baptists;
the Rev. Wm. Chris Hobgood, General Minister and President, Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ).

Also, Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, Archbishop, Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox
Church; the Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church
(USA); the Rev. Michael E. Livingston, Executive Director, International
Council of Community Churches; A. Roy Medley, General Secretary, American
Baptist Churches (U.S.A.); Dr. Robert E. Sawyer, Moravian Church Southern
Province; the Rev. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President, United
Church of Christ.

They join the Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of the
international humanitarian agency Church World Service, through which the
NCC's 36 member churches serve; other leaders in NCC-member churches, and a
host of Evangelical and Roman Catholic leaders.

Former U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, Robert Seiple, a
leader in the evangelical community, said the message of the letter and those
who signed it is clear:  "Peacemaking is difficult, the ultimate challenge. 
But it is here where we find out how good we really are.  Do we have the
courage and the commitment worthy of good people?  In the end, this will
determine how relevant we will be."

One of the Catholic signers, Sr. Christine Vladimiroff, OSB, President of the
Leadership Conference of Women Religious said, "The ancient, unfulfilled
vision of justice for all is now within our reach. It is time for us -
citizens and elected officials - to disarm our hearts, speak a word of hope
and bring the blessing of peace to the people in the holy land. 'Let us,
then, make it our aim to work for peace and to strengthen one another.'"
(Romans 14:19)
 
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold of the Episcopal Church had this comment: 
"Having recommitted himself to a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine
living side by side in peace, President Bush has a unique opportunity to make
that vision real - to, as we urged, 'follow the examples of the great
prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, who declared that God calls all nations and all
people to do justice to one another.'"
			
The ad, the full text of the letter and a complete list of those signing the
letter are available at www.cmep.org 

-end-

CONTACT: Corinne Whitlatch, Churches for Middle East Peace, 202-543-1222 or
cell 202â??306-3187
NCC Media Contact: Carol Fouke, 212-870-2252; cfouke@ncccusa.org 

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