Contact: Corinne Whitlatch, corinne@cmep.org
Churches for Middle East Peace
 

(WASHINGTON, September 7, 2000) – The top leaders of American Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Churches urged President Clinton to promote a sharing of Jerusalem between Israelis and Palestinians and among Jews, Christians and Muslims in the negotiations he is facilitating. 

The leaders chided the Administration for inattention to Christian concerns and international law as it affects Jerusalem. In a jointly-signed letter, the churches leaders said "we do not view the Administration's attention to the American churches' concerns and recommendations or those of the Jerusalem churches interests and rights to be adequate." 

They urged the Administration to place a higher consideration on the significance of Jerusalem to the international community and to show a higher regard for international law that addresses Jerusalem's status. They see this as essential for "a political agreement to be broadly endorsed and enduring." 

The President was commended for blocking, thus far, the Congressionally-mandated move of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.  The leaders discouraged him from threatening to move the embassy before an agreement is reached.

The proposal of Jerusalem's church leaders to create an internationally guaranteed special statute for the governance of Jerusalem was endorsed by the American leaders. This would "allow Jerusalem to be an open city which transcends local, regional or world political troubles." 

The current Israeli measure requiring Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza to acquire Israeli permits to enter Jerusalem was called a "totally unacceptable and discriminatory practice."  The Church leaders were also critical of Israel's continued building of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land in and near Jerusalem during Mr. Clinton's leadership of the peace process. 

The letter was signed by:

• Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops;

   

• The Hon. Andrew Young, President of the National Council of Churches in Christ of the USA;

• and the Heads of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America,

•  Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Mens' Institutes,

• Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),

• Church of the Brethren,

• The Episcopal Church,

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,

• Friends United Meeting,

• Mennonite Central Committee,

• Presbyterian Church (USA),

• Reformed Church in America, 

• Unitarian Universalist Association,

• United Church of Christ

• The United Methodist Council of Bishops.

FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER