The President
The White House
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. President:
I am appalled to read and see daily accounts of the violence that has been unleashed in the Holy Land these past days. As Israel attempts to celebrate
its holiest day, Yom Kippur, we find the home for the three Abrahamic faiths
aflame in violence. The paradox is all too striking.
The provocative visit of Ariel Sharon to the Al-Aqsa Mosque has unleashed
the rage and frustration of the Palestinian people who have suffered from occupation and its accompanying misery. I have longed for the day when Israel could live at peace with her neighbors and I salute the bravery of
her leaders who have taken bold steps to bring about that peace. This action by Mr. Sharon undermines the heroic efforts of Israel's
peacemakers and is cause for outrage and grief. I know you are energetically working with all sides to stem the violence and
restore the peace process. Even as you do this, I call upon you to include the following immediate steps:
- Call upon Israel to refrain from the use of a disproportional military response to the violence, especially the use of heavy military equipment. Teenagers and children armed with sling shots and rocks do not deserve to be
shot dead in cold blood. They are, at the end of the day, the victims of
the failure to find a true peace rooted in justice. The presence of Israeli forces in both the liberated areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority, as well as their presence anywhere in the remaining Occupied Territories serves to fuel the crisis. They should not be there. Please implore Mr. Barak to practice restraint as you urge Mr. Arafat to do all in his power to stop the violence.
- Insist that the safety of all the people in the area on both sides be protected and the Palestinians' right to self-determination be honored.
This episode must not be used as an excuse to perpetuate the injustice of occupation. The sad spectacle of seeing the destruction of Joseph's Tomb is
the result of pent-up rage from years of occupation that will only be healed
through recognition of the right of Palestinian people to self-rule. I also
certainly affirm the responsibility of both sides to respect and protect all
those sites deemed sacred by the three Abrahamic faiths.
- Support an international investigation into this tragic outbreak
of violence that threatens to destroy the peace process. Knowing the
full truth of how this episode was ignited will be a necessary beginning
in rebuilding trust and confidence.
- Support enforcement of United Nations resolutions pertinent to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Our country has insisted on enforcement of UN
resolutions related to Iraq. We cannot be seen as weak on enforcing resolutions on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. We must be above political pandering and know that people of good will on both sides of the conflict will support just actions, both Israeli and Palestinian.
I have been in communication with the Right Reverend Riah Abu El-Assal, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, and am grateful for his
courage and forcefulness in speaking out on the situation. I appreciate the efforts
of all religious leaders from the three Abrahamic faiths who are working to restore calm while insisting on a just peace that will provide a balm on the
sore wounds of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The violence and its resultant loss of such young life, and the grief which accompanies it, is the most clear evidence that neither side can abandon the
search for an honorable peace. Your tireless work on behalf of that peace, along with your counterparts in the process, must be allowed to resume and succeed as soon as possible, for the sake of the children and the cause of justice and peace. You are in my prayers, Mr. President, as you lead our nation into the ways of peacemaking on behalf of two noble and courageous people.
Sincerely,
Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church, USA
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