The people who work in the public policy offices of the churches and church-related agencies navigate the harrowing intersection of religion and politics, seeking to influence policy makers while guiding members of their congregations and organizations to be effective advocates for justice and peace.

It's tricky to get it right; to be true to the church’s principles and policies and to also be persuasive advocates on the highly-charged issue of Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.  To better meet this challenge, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) brings together 21 churches and church-related agencies to identify commonly-held positions and to coordinate advocacy action. Around the CMEP Board table sit representatives from Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant traditions.   The Board hears the perspectives of a wide range of experts and officials in off-the-record meetings.  Every other Friday they go in teams to congressional offices to talk about what is required for Holy Land peace.  This is ecumenism in action. 

Usually this publication focuses on a specific issue that is on the agenda of policymakers.  This time, the topic is CMEP's strategic approach to the U.S. role in  Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. It is not sufficient to express our principles and reveal injustices; CMEP strives to be an influential voice in the debate on Israeli-Arab issues within the U.S. government and in the public arena.

At the State Department and in Congressional offices, we are encouraged by those who appreciate  CMEP's positions and the evidence of citizen opinion provided by CMEP, its member churches and individuals.

The U.S. churches in CMEP do not, as a matter of principle and law, engage in partisan politics and campaigns. And on Israeli-Arab issues, neither Republicans nor Democrats have proven to be better or worse. Whichever party controls the Congress and whoever is the President, CMEP wants them to be successful in bringing Israelis and Palestinians together to negotiate a peace agreement. 

It is the role of the Executive Branch to formulate and carry out foreign policy, while Congress's primary role is to provide, or not provide, the necessary funds (Senate also has the responsibility to ratify treaties). Additionally, the Congress can support, question and criticize the President and State Department by means of hearings, letters, resolutions and bills. The Congress, greatly influenced by their constituents, serves as a conduit to the Administration of public opinion.

It is understood, albeit with widespread resentment, that U.S. leadership on Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking is essential; only the United States can persuade both parties to make the compromises that are essential. And, experience proves that the direct and sustained engagement of the President and/or Secretary of State is absolutely necessary, as was shown by Secretary Rice's direct role in negotiating an agreement related to the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza.

The goal of CMEP's advocacy is to maintain consistent pressure on President Bush to take the actions that can fulfill his expressed vision of a viable, democratic state of Palestine living next to a secure state of Israel. Concurrently, CMEP urges members of Congress to provide bi-partisan support for strong leadership by President Bush and Secretary Rice and cooperation with the "Quartet" (U.N., European Union and Russia.) As an example, CMEP advocated in support of the President's request for increased foreign aid to the Palestinians, and encouraged Congress to allow for the provision of aid directly to the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking has been a stumbling block for a number of presidents. But even when a president's efforts fail, Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy can become a hallmark of that presidency. President Clinton, shamed by scandal, altered his legacy by hosting the Camp David summit. He set the course for subsequent negotiations with the "Clinton Parameters"- his recommendations for dealing with the final status issues of borders, Jerusalem, settlements and refugees.

President Bush is in trouble; many of his domestic and international initiatives are floundering.  There is rampant anti-American sentiment globally, especially among the Arab and Muslim publics. The on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan appear to be overpowering the Administration's democratization efforts. In October, President Abbas’ chief-of-staff, Rafiq Husseini, met with President Bush and hinted that the Palestinian people could be the “poster child” for democratization in the region. The launching of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, with President Bush at the helm, would change headlines and public opinion at home and abroad.

Central to CMEP's strategy is a commitment to the well-being and good future of both Israel and the future state of Palestine and their long-suffering peoples. With allies in the American Jewish and American Arab communities, CMEP works toward a negotiated two-state solution. This advocacy work does not pit one side against the other, but instead speaks for the majority who support peace, in contrast to those - including some fundamentalist Christians - who oppose any and all compromises. 

The U.S. government and a great many Americans are faithful friends of Israel. But there is a growing understanding that there is a new and better way to be a good friend, and that is to help Israel make peace with the Palestinians and other Arab states. For a peace to be durable and for a negotiated agreement to be seen as legitimate by the warring parties and the international community, the city of Jerusalem must be shared as the capital of both Israel and Palestine, and by the three faiths that call it holy. For beyond peacemaking lies the imperative of the reconciliation of the Abrahamic faiths.  

Advocacy Action

The Administration needs to know that there is both institutional (meaning the churches themselves) and popular (meaning yourself) support for strong leadership. The letter to Sec. Rice, which was delivered to Members of Congress, from the Heads of CMEP's churches and organizations needs reinforcement from citizen advocates. The Administration will be reluctant to get deeply involved without confidence that the Congress will be supportive.

The best modes of advocacy to the Administration are:

• Call the White House comment line at 202 456-1111.  An operator will talk with you and note the topic and your position.

• Email Secretary Rice at www.state.gov , on the top bar click on "contact us", scroll down on the left menu and click on "Foreign Policy Opinions."  You will be asked to provide your email address. Even though the form prompts you to "ask a question" this is the appropriate form to submit comments. You can also attach a document.

• Send a personal letter (polite, short and to-the-point) to Secretary Rice or to President Bush.  It will be read by someone and tabulated in a report. 

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice                       

Secretary of State                                            

U.S. Department of State                                   
Washington, DC 20520

The Honorable George W. Bush

The White House

Washington, DC  20500

Modes of advocacy for Congress are:

• Meet with your Representative or Senators, or their legislative assistants, in their local office or in Washington. 

• Invite your elected officials to come, or send a welcome letter, to an event such as a local conference. 

• Mail a letter - polite, short and to-the-point. You could include materials that show your church’s hope for peace in the Holy Land.     

• Call the Washington office, talk to the legislative assistant for foreign relations or leave a message.

• Email. There are a number of ways to reach a Member's website that include contact information or email forms.   

Community Advocacy:

Radio talk shows, letters-to-the-editor, public and Sunday school forums, and informal discussions are good venues to raise issues and express opinion. C-SPAN’s call-in radio/TV program, Washington Journal, is from 7:00AM- 10:00AM EST, 7 days a week and politics is always the topic.  You can access the program on www.cspan.org if you cannot locate it on your radio or cable TV.  A tip: when you get a busy signal, hang up, hit redial, and keep trying.

November 14^th letter to Secretary Rice signed by the heads of CMEP member churches and church-related agencies.