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Peace Fellowship statement on Middle
East crisis |
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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."
| You can sign
on to this Peace Fellowship statement at "PetitionOnLine."
(If you look at the list of those who have
already signed, you'll discover that your WebWeaver couldn't
spell his own last name correctly. But that might not surprise
you.) |
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Visit
our lively
new website! |
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GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries,
confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.
We provided resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest have been:
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Amendment 10-A,
which removes the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers.
Approved! |
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Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. Disapproved, because as an amendment
to the Book of Confessions it needed a 2/3 vote, and did not
receive that. |
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Amendment
10-1, which adopts the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. Approved. |
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If you like what
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we hope you'll help us keep Voices for Justice going ... and
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Click here to send a
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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