Letter to President Bush from the General Ministers and Presidents of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and United Church of Christ

~May 20, 2004~

May 20, 2004

Dear Mr. President,

      Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace!

      We write with grave concern for the prospect of peace in the Middle East and for the Palestinian people who have continued to experience the destruction of their land and property due to systematic home demolitions and the construction of the separation barrier.  We voice a special concern for the people of Gaza who, over the past week, have been targeted in a campaign by the Israeli government that has resulted in the destruction of lives and livelihoods of hundreds of Palestinians.  This operation comes at a time when Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan for Israel to withdraw from Gaza was to move forward.  That plan, and the current incursion, seem to place the U.S.-led Road Map on hold.  The Road Map itself seems to have been abandoned entirely.

      It is ironic that the name of the current military operation is "Rainbow."  The story of Noah in our faith tradition tells us that the rainbow is the sign of God's promise to all creation never to destroy it again.  This campaign is clearly opposed to the spirit of preservation and protection of humanity and nature.  Bulldozers, helicopter gunships, and missiles are the implements of death and devastation, not the tools of security. Israel has killed and injured scores of Palestinians, and completely destroyed  dozens of homes leaving more than 2,000 people homeless.

      The destruction of lives and livelihoods in Gaza seems to be a different manifestation of the same policy implemented through Israel's construction of the wall, or "security fence."  That construction (which encroaches on the occupied West Bank) also drives through villages and residences, dividing Palestinians from their families and fields, and destroying homes in its path.  The barrier denies people of all faiths access to their sacred places of worship.  Even were the barrier a temporary measure, the effects on peoples' lives are devastating and permanent.

      Peace depends on the guarantee of rights and freedom, the safeguarding of dignity and security, for everyone in the Middle East. Regional peace must begin with establishing a just and equitable framework for negotiating an end to the Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Both Palestinians and Israelis must show the political will to seek resolutions to their differences.  Fair solutions can only be met through balanced negotiations and with respect to the rule of international law.  But the first step must be an end to the grotesque violence that merely instigates passions and provokes greater violence in response.

      Mr. President, we urge you to do all that is within your power to restrain Israel from further assaults on the Palestinians of Gaza, particularly those refugees living in the Rafah Camp.  Mr. President, we appeal to you to seek the acquiescence of Israelis and Palestinians to abide by agreements to stop all forms of violence and to desist from unilateral alterations to the facts on the ground.  Mr. President, we implore you to mobilize the resources of your good office to resuscitate the Road Map and to re-engage in the steps necessary to bring about peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  Such engagement, we believe, is in the best interest of the United States, and must be a priority for peace-loving people throughout the world.  In that vein, please find enclosed our denominations' resolutions from our 2003 General Synod (United Church of Christ) http://www.ucc.org/synod/resolutions/res24-26a.pdf> and General Assembly (Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) http://www.disciples.org/ga03/resolutions/index.htm on U.S. Policy in the Middle East, which we share for your positive consideration.

      Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you best seek to lead this country.  We thank you very much, in advance, for your time in reading this letter and would be most pleased for your reaction and response.

Very sincerely,

(The Rev.) Chris Hobgood                             
General Minister and President                        
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)             

(The Rev.) John H. Thomas                            
General Minister and President                        
United Church of Christ