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(WASHINGTON, July 9, 2004) U.S. Church leaders appealed
to their government to support the International Court of Justice’s
advisory opinion on Israel’s separation barrier. The court said earlier
today that it is against international law for Israel to build its
barrier in the occupied territories and that it should be dismantled.
For nearly a year, the U.S. churches that work together through Churches
for Middle East Peace have advocated for the United States government’s
intervention to stop Israel’s building of the barrier beyond the 1967
“green line” on occupied land in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem.
"We are grateful that the humanitarian consequences
for the Palestinian people of this massive barrier are no longer being
ignored," was the response of Episcopal Bishop Barry Howe of the Diocese
of West Missouri. Howe was part of a delegation of seven U.S. Episcopal
bishops who viewed the barrier on a trip to Palestine and Israel in
May. "The International Court opinion as well as that of the Israeli
Supreme Court ruling on June 30 emphasizes the humanitarian dimension as
well as that of the rule of law.” Recognizing that the Israelis argue
that they needed the barrier for protection from violent terrorist acts,
Bishop Howe continued: "The security that Israel seeks, and deserves,
will be found in resolving the conflict through a negotiated solution
with all concerned and the establishment of a Palestinian state with
peace and security for all in the region."
Franciscan Sister Florence Deacon, director of
Franciscans International (an NGO at the United Nations in New York),
noted that Franciscans have had custody of Christianity’s traditional
Holy Land shrines for 800 years. She appreciated the Court’s emphasis
on the role of the United Nations in negotiating a just and lasting
peace in that land sacred to all the children of Abraham. “For the past
50 years, the United States has been a trusted friend of the state of
Israel while also caring about the Palestinian people’s welfare, and
more recently their political rights. Our government needs to use these
historic ties to push both sides toward serious negotiations without
further delay.” She urged the United States “to be a partner with the
global community and work within the United Nations’ system to bring
security to both peoples. We cannot have two sets of standards for
upholding international law.”
Dennis Frado, Director of the Lutheran Office for
World Community at the United Nations, said, “All Members of the United
Nations should respect today’s advisory opinion from the International
Court of Justice. This is a particularly important principle for all of
the parties seeking an end to the conflict between the Israelis and the
Palestinians.” Referring to the Lutheran churches’ historical
involvement with Namibia, he said, “We recall the ICJ’s opinion in 1971
that South Africa was illegally occupying Namibia. That dispute
unfortunately continued to take too many lives and cause unnecessary
hardships on both sides before it was resolved. The religious community
is called to redouble our efforts for peace with justice in this region
as well.”
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Churches for Middle East Peace
is a Washington based program of the Alliance of Baptists, American
Friends Service Committee, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, Catholic
Conference of Major Superiors of Men’s Institutes, Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Church World Service,
Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Franciscan
Mission Service, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Maryknoll
Missioners, Mennonite Central Committee, National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the USA, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed
Church in America, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations,
United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church (GBCS & GBGM).
For more information see
www.cmep.org |
