C4RPME.org: The Coalition for Responsible Peace in the Middle East's Response to ELCA’s Middle East Resolution

Below is a detailed, footnoted analysis of the Recommendation to the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly. The recommendation, as presented to the Churchwide Assembly, offers a demonstrably biased narrative about the Arab/Israeli conflict. If the ELCA is to lift up its prophetic voice in response to the tragic conflict, it has an obligation to speak with an informed conscience. This recommendation and the strategy it describes are not the fruits of an informed conscience but the product of a biased fact-gathering process.

The words inside the quotes are taken directly from the ELCA’s Middle East Recommendation.

1. “provided humanitarian and refugee assistance to Palestinians for over fifty years.” The world community has also given enormous support through UNRWA with the US the largest donor and Israel a major donor. How much has the Church helped the other refugees of the 1948 War-the 800,000 Jews disgorged by Middle East countries and left penniless and homeless? Why hasn’t the Lutheran World Federation been more balanced in its assistance?

2. “the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its predecessor bodies have for many years worked for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, advocating for political solutions that address the rights to security and peace with justice for both Palestinians and Israelis;” If the ECLA’s goal is peace and security, why hasn’t it firmly condemned terrorism and the extremist Palestinian groups who launched their violent campaign against Israeli civilians, thereby perpetuating the conflict? If the goal is security, why not condemn the suicide bombing, mortar and other attacks that have forced Israel to use counterterrorism measures?

“that will strengthen the resolve of political leaders-including those in the U.S”. No one has worked harder than the US to find a fair and peaceful solution. Why does their resolve need to be strengthened-unless the ECLA doesn’t agree with position and therefore wants to be an advocacy group not for peace but for the most extreme Palestinian agenda.

“the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL)” This group has allied with extreme Palestinian nationalist views and has advocated “Replacement Theology,” a doctrine of contempt for Jews and Judaism that only promotes intolerance and hatred, not conciliation, mutual respect and tolerance.

“extreme hardship brought to Palestinian communities” Why doesn’t the ECLA sympathize with the extreme hardship brought to Israeli communities who have suffered over 25,000 terrorist attacks, who receive 50 terrorist warnings a day, whose lives are constantly endangered and whose hopes for peace have been shattered by Palestinian intransigence, extremism and terrorism?

“by the continuing Israeli occupation” Israel has repeatedly declared it does not want to govern Palestinians. It has been trying to withdraw from the Territories and by 1998, 98% of Palestinians were governed by the PA. Israel re-entered the Territories only after the PA proved unwilling or unable to staunch the terrorist war unleashed in September 2000. Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and the northern West Bank are an unprecedented gesture for ending the ‘occupation.’ Why doesn’t this resolution acknowledge this fact and encourage the move?

“construction of the separation wall.” Less than 3% of the security barrier is a wall and it resembles the sound barriers on American highways. The fence is a peaceful, passive, non-lethal form of self-defense that does not murder, wound, cripple or orphan, unlike the terrorism it tries to prevent. Some Palestinians may find the fence causes inconvenience, but this inconvenience can end once the Palestinian Authority stops terrorism. Moreover, this inconvenience has to be weighed against the innocent lives that the fence saves from terrorism

“the imminent threat they pose to the future of the ELCJHL and other Christian churches in the Holy Land” The greatest threat to the Christian ministries in the Palestinian Authority (PA) is the PA itself and radical Muslims who have persecuted Christians and compelled them to flee the region.

Palestinian Christians are being “driven out by the steady persecution of the PA and the realization that they will face worse treatment under a possible future Palestinian state.” US Congressman J.C. Watts, 1997

“Unfortunately for Middle East Christians…the extremists look on us as enemies, just as they look upon the Jews as enemies. I have heard fundamentalist groups in Palestine say, ‘After Saturday [the Jewish day of rest] comes Sunday [the Christian day of rest]-and my blood runs cold.” Bishop El-Assal, 1999

“attacks on civilians” Palestinian terrorists TARGET civilians. 69% of the Israeli dead and wounded have been non-combatants. In contrast, Israel targets only terrorists. It takes grave risks to the lives and well-being of its civilian population and soldiers to AVOID harming innocent bystanders, and expresses deep regrets if they are injured. In contrast, the PA celebrates all its suicide bombers as martyrs even though they target children, babies, teenagers, grandmothers and other civilians indiscriminately.

“confiscation of land.” The security barrier does not confiscate any land. Only 5% of it will be built over the green line, the now defunct armistice lines of the 1948 War Most of this 5% was built on public lands. When private lands had to be used, owners were offered compensation or a lease agreement. Israel has transplanted over 60,000 trees that fell on the Israeli side of the barrier to ensure that Palestinian farmers are not adversely affected. This is not the behavior of a government trying to steal land, but of a nation looking to minimize the impact of its policies on non-combatants.

“Israeli separation wall.” It is not a “wall.” 97% of the security barrier is chain link fence that resembles the fences around American school yards; less than 3% is a wall and it resembles the sound barriers along American highways though it is designed to protect Israelis from shooting attacks not from noise pollution.

12. “built on Palestinian land” The security barrier is not being built on Palestinian land. Only 5% of its planned route will intrude over the green line, the now defunct armistice borders of the 1948 War. This is disputed land; the unallotted portion of the former Palestinian Mandate. Borders were to be determined through bilateral negotiations which were interrupted by the 2nd Intifada.

[1] 3. “…responds to the call of ELCA companions in the Holy Land for a churchwide

campaign for peace-Peace Not Walls.” The separation barrier is not a wall and it is not the obstacle to peace. It was conceived and built precisely because there was no peace and no hope that the ongoing terrorist war against Israel would end.

[1] 4. “Stand for Justice in the Holy Land” The call for “justice” in the Holy Land is not for peace, conciliation and forgiveness. It is a call for fulfillment of the radical Palestinian agenda, including the right of return, which denies Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and contradicts the logic of a two-state solution.

[1] 5. “building relationships with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land,” Why aren’t any of the many churches in Israel included in this ecumenicism?

[1] 6. “Stand for Justice in the Holy Land.;” The call for “justice” is a call for for fulfillment of the radical Palestinian agenda, including the right of return, which denies Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and contradicts the logic of a two-state solution.

[1] 7. “intensifying advocacy for a just peace in the Region…” This is a transparent call for advocating only Palestinian extremist demands. It ignores the fact that the world already donates millions of dollars for Palestinian advocacy, particularly through various UN agencies such as the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. (Resolution 3376, 1975) and the “Division of Palestinian Rights” (1977) whose purpose is “to heighten international awareness of the Question of Palestine and gain wider recognition of and support for the achievement of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people." In addition, the conflict already gets more media attention and coverage than any other conflict in the world. “In the last year, thousands of journalists have passed through Jerusalem and the territories to cover the intifada and report on its violent twists and turns. It is one of the most covered international stories today.” Joel Campagna, Committee to Protect Journalists, March 31 2003 (“Standing Up for the Reporters,” PBS/Frontline Interview with Joel Campagna of Committee to Protect Journalists, March 31 2003 at http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/israel.palestine/campagna.html)

[1] 8. “stewarding financial resources-both U.S. tax dollars and private funds-in ways that support the quest for a just peace in the Holy

Land “This is a transparent call to have the US and other agencies end their support for Israel, one of the most common anti-Israel demands, while stepping up US and international aid for the Palestinians. But the world community and the US already have donated billions of dollars to the PA. Aid to the PA “is the highest per capita aid transfer in the history of foreign aid anywhere." Nigel Roberts, World Bank official in the Territories. February 29 2004, (http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=238542004 ); The United States has been a major donor to the Palestinian Authority and gave Palestinian groups $1.3 billion through its US AID program between 1993 and 2003, according to the Palestine Chronicle. January 5 2004

[1] 9. “giving generously to help ensure the continuation of the schools and other ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.” The greatest threat to the Christian ministries in the Palestinian Authority (PA) is the PA itself and radical Muslims who have persecuted Christians and compelled them to flee the region.

20.“communion ware made in Bethlehem.” This communion ware was developed by the Christian Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and has been promoted and sold by vehemently anti-Israel groups at International Solidarity meetings and other meetings to raise money for and promote the radical Palestinian agenda-not peace.

2 [1]. “wall” It is not a “wall.” 97% of the security barrier is chain link fence that resembles the fences around American school yards; less than 3% is a wall and it resembles the sound barriers along American highways though it is designed to protect Israelis from shooting attacks not from noise pollution.

22. It is not a “wall.” 97% of the security barrier is chain link fence that resembles the fences around American school yards; less than 3% is a wall and it resembles the sound barriers along American highways though it is designed to protect Israelis from shooting attacks not from noise pollution.

23. “to convey this statement to all synods, along with Bishop Munib Younan’s and Dr. Tawfiq Nasser’s letters...;” Why are there no letters and no input from Israel about the reasons for the security fence and about the humanitarian measures Israel has taken to minimize the impact of the fence on innocent civilians?

24.“an end to wall’s Construction.” The security fence (not wall) has reduced deaths and injuries from terrorism by 85 to 90%. It is a peaceful, non-lethal, passive way to save lives. The barrier did not exist from 1967 until 2002. It was built only when the terrorist war did not end and its sole purpose is to save lives. When terrorism ends, the fence can be removed.

25. “giving to support people in crisis in Palestine.” Why doesn’t the resolution also call for supporting the people in crisis in Israel?

Between September 2000 and July 2005, Israel has experienced:

1058 ISRAELIS MURDERED-69% WERE CIVILIANS

7307 WOUNDED/CRIPPLED -69% WERE CIVILIANS

25,375 TERRORIST ATTACKS

Why no support for Israel as it goes through the wrenching disengagement from Gaza? Even as Israel prepares for the disengagement, mortar and rocket attacks against it have escalated, with 436 attacks in July alone. Between January and July 2005, 28 Israelis have been killed and 238 wounded. (Ha’aretz, Aug 2 2005)

26. “joint visits of synod bishops with their members of Congress to the region to enable them to experience firsthand the perspective of our partners regarding the opportunities and obstacles to peace…” Why no visits with Christians in Israel or with Israeli officials so that visitors get a full picture of the obstacles to peace?

27. “Jewish organizations that work in solidarity with the Palestinian people..” This is a call for Jews to participate only if they advocate the Palestinian agenda but do not represent or voice Israel’s crucial need for security and freedom from terrorism.

28.“U.N. Security Council resolutions that call for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied as a result of the 1967 war…” Resolution 242 did not call for Israel to withdraw from all the Territories it captured. It called for new borders to be drawn through bilateral negotiations. Furthermore, it did not call for unilateral action by Israel, but rather for Israeli withdrawal only in the context of peace agreements and negotiation of new borders for Israel:

“… should include the application of both the following principles:
(i) Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict;
(ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;” Resolution 242

29. “ respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every state in the area;” This clause in Resolution 242 referred primarily to Israel who was constantly threatened by hostile neighbors. No Palestinian state had ever existed and still does not exist. Resolution 242 assumed that the parts of the West Bank would be returned to Jordan and parts of Gaza would be returned to Egypt which had governed them between 1948 and 1967.

30. “their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries, free from threats or acts of force;” This clause referred specifically to Israel whose Arab neighbors denied its right to exist and hoped to destroy it. When the PA ends terrorism and acknowledges Israel’s right to exist, there will be no threats that compel Israel to use counterterrorism measures.

3 [1]. “communicate this resolution to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and that the Division for Church in Society encourage members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to communicate this resolution to their senators and members of Congress” The US government, Congress and Israel could not be more fully and deeply committed to ending the conflict and to keeping abreast of the facts on the ground than they already are. The US Congress, fully apprised of the facts, has already declared that it supports Israel’s right both to build the security fence and to use counterterrorism measures.;” U.S. House of Representatives Resolution H Res 713, July 13 2004

32. “just” This is often a code word for the right of return and other extremist Palestinian goals, not for forgiveness and reconciliation.

33. “Israeli settlements” Israel has offered to remove many of his settlements in a peace agreement and is now uprooting 8,000 Israelis from their homes in Gaza. But the question must be asked: Why does the PA believe that its future state must have no Jews especially given that Israel has 1.3 million Arabs who are full citizens?

33. “the future of humanitarian ministries in Jerusalem and the West Bank-in particular those in which the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America participates through the Lutheran World Federation-are not jeopardized by a proposed change in Israeli tax policy.” The future of Christian ministries is not jeopardized by Israel or its tax codes, but because of PA oppression of Christians, causing thousands to flee the Territories in the past decades and by the PA’s decision be an officially Muslim state that uses sharia law as the basis for legislation and that forbids Muslim conversion to Christianity.

“The PA declared Islam its official religion. No Palestinian law protects religious freedom.” US State Department, International Religious Freedom Report, 2001

.”[T]he sharia will be the primary source of legislation…” Palestinian Authority Draft Constitution, Article 5

The PA Information Ministry declared that “The Palestinian people are also governed by [Islamic] Shari’a law…with issues pertaining to religious matters…..any Muslim who [converts] or declares becoming an unbeliever is committing a major sin punishable by capital punishment.” [1]

34. “theological reflection” has advocated “Replacement Theology,” a doctrine of contempt for Jews and Judaism that only promotes intolerance and hatred, not conciliation, mutual respect and tolerance. After World War II, the Vatican and other churches worldwide condemned replacement theology as a pernicious doctrine that contributed to the anti-Semitism of the Nazi era.

34. “called for prayer, learning opportunities, action, advocacy and support to people in crisis in Palestine…” There is no mention of the people in crisis in Israel. The crisis in the Palestinian Territories is caused by Islamist extremists and sympathetic militant nationalists who want a Palestinian state to replace Israel, refuse to give up their campaign of violence and incitement and reject peace and negotiation. From the Hamas Charter http://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm:

"The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. "

"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."

35. “Peace Not Walls: Stand for Justice in the Holy Land.” This report is one-sided and full of misinformation. It does not offer a prescription for peace because it does not fully explore the causes of the ongoing conflict.