CMEP Writes Sec. Rice on Gaza Crisis- January 23, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Warren Clark, 202-543-1222; warren@cmep.org

[Washington, DC-January 23, 2008] Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), representing 22 Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant church bodies, today expressed great concern about the escalation of violence in and around Gaza in a letter to Secretary of State Rice. “Neither the rocket attacks against Israel nor the suffering imposed on the general population of Gaza can be justified”, said the letter, which asks Secretary Rice to exert “concerted diplomatic effort now, together with Egypt and the international community, to help bring about a ceasefire and avert a further humanitarian crisis in Gaza”.

Warren Clark, CMEP's Executive Director said, "The recent flare up of violence in and around Gaza, with rocket attacks, food and fuel embargoes, and the break down of border barriers between Gaza and Egypt, threaten to derail the nascent peace process initiated at Annapolis in November and pursued this month by President Bush. With all eyes on Gaza, we urge Secretary Rice to do all that she can to find wise and creative solutions that can end this crisis and restore hope for peace."

The CMEP letter noted calls for the Palestinian Authority to have a greater role at Gaza’s border crossings to help expedite the movement of international aid supplies. It concluded with the recognition that the resolution of this current crisis will require wise management that can lay the groundwork for a more united Palestinian polity capable of implementing an enduring peace.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

January 23, 2008

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice

Secretary of State

Department of State

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Madam Secretary,

We write to you today with great concern about the recent escalation of violence in and around Gaza. Rocket attacks against Israel by Palestinian militant groups and retaliatory responses by Israel that include the cutoff or the threat of cutoff of vital food, fuel, electricity and adequate access to medical attention for the residents of Gaza are creating an untenable situation that threatens to derail the nascent but vitally important peace process. Neither the rocket attacks nor imposed suffering on the general population of Gaza can be justified. Today’s breach of the Gaza-Egypt border only underscores the urgency of this current crisis that risks continued escalation.

We welcome your January 22^nd statement calling on both sides not only to reduce the violence but also to start to think more creatively about how to address the current situation in Gaza, perhaps by giving the Palestinian Authority a greater role at the border crossings as suggested by Prime Minister Fayyad, an idea endorsed by the Quartet and called for by the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Christian Churches in Jerusalem. We urge your concerted diplomatic effort now, together with Egypt and the international community, to help bring about a ceasefire and avert a further humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Progress towards a viable Palestinian state living at peace alongside a secure Israel as called for by the President will require wise management of the current Gaza crisis to help lay the groundwork for a united Palestinian polity capable of implementing a durable peace. We offer our prayers and support for your urgent action to ensure that the diplomatic process begun at the Annapolis conference and continued with your and President Bush’s visit to the region this month can succeed.

Sincerely,

Warren Clark Maureen Shea

Executive Director Chair of the Board

###