Yesterday, two violent attacks were launched against Israel and its citizens. In a speech, the president of Iran, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, quoted the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini stating that Israel “must be wiped off the map.” Later in the day, a Palestinian suicide bomber claimed the lives of five Israeli citizens in Hadera, in central Israel. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ roundly condemn both instances of violence. Such violent rhetoric and violent action incite violent reactions, adding momentum to an already senseless spiral. These attacks are in direct contradiction to our two churches’ clear positions affirming Israel’s right to exist securely next to a viable Palestinian state, and opposing violence in all its manifestations. With our partner the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, we assert the moral reprehensibility of suicide bombing. The hateful and violent intent of President Ahmadinejad’s remarks are never acceptable in political discourse.

 In condemning this violence against Israel, we are faithful to our firm commitment to overcome violence everywhere, and to our conviction that justice in this world must be attained through peaceful means. In proclaiming a message of peace, we are again moved by the violence in the troubled Middle East to state the urgency of reaching a comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Dedication to Israel’s security within recognized borders goes hand in hand with an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. We strongly encourage the US Administration to engage actively and fully with all its partners, including Israelis and Palestinians, to seek a fair and durable solution to this conflict. It is in the best interests of Israelis and Palestinians, as well as the US, and of Jews, Christians, and Muslims the world over.

We are painfully aware that force or the threat of force are too-common realities in the Middle East—the most militarized region in the world. We are intimately aware that the US—the most militarized country in the world—has demonstrated its willingness to use force in pursuing its interests and perceived threats to them. It is our prayer that all would reject the inclination to resort to force rather than seek policies of engagement and reconciliation to resolve differences. Palestinians and Israelis have suffered at each other’s hands for too long for the status quo of occupation and terror to continue. Lessons of Iraq teach us that American military might cannot force peace and security, and therefore we would urge the US to resist the temptation to use this occasion to elevate its threats or advance proposals for US intervention in Iran or elsewhere in the Middle East.

We pray that leaders and people no longer choose the actions or rhetoric of violence; that violence may not beget violence; and that the urgency for peace and justice be recognized, so that violence will have no place.


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

Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte
Executive Minister, Wider Church Ministries, UCC
Co-Executive, Common Global Ministries Board
 

Rev. David Vargas

President, Division of Overseas Ministries, Disciples

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