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Relating to the recent increase of violence in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon Prepared for United University Church (1) This July 29, 2006 report (updated Aug 9, 2006) consists of:
UMC General Board of Church and Society Statement (Jim Winkler, General Secretary) July 17, 2006 We are deeply troubled by the recent increase of violence in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon. This dangerous escalation of hostilities greatly impedes diplomatic efforts to work for peace in the region. The latest outbreak of fighting in the land we know as holy is against the will of God. We call for an end to Palestinian and Hezbollah attacks against Israel and for the release of Israeli soldiers. We call for an end to Israeli military incursions and bombings against Gaza and Lebanon and for the release of political prisoners held by Israel. All outside states and forces must halt sending arms and military supplies to groups and states involved in the conflict. The Israeli military response to the capture of its soldiers has been grossly disproportionate, leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians – including children – in Gaza and Lebanon. The attack on the power plant and infrastructure in Gaza has caused a humanitarian crisis there as access to water, food, and medical care has been severely restricted. We join with the Rev. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, in his call to the international community “to take bold and novel actions to uphold international law and break the vicious cycle of violence” in the region. This is a cycle of violence – it is impossible at this point in time to declare that one side or another has started it. Finally, we encourage people of faith throughout God’s world to be in constant prayer for the Holy Land and for the implementation of serious and effective plans for peaceful resolution of the region’s crises. We support a safe and secure Israel, which will only be possible with a safe, secure, viable and contiguous Palestinian state. We recognize that the United States government has significant power to influence the course of events and we urge it to use this power on behalf of all people for a just, lasting, and durable peace in the region. Our prayer is that Ezekiel’s vision of peace will prevail, where all of us “shall no more be a prey to the nations … and none shall make them afraid” (34:28 NRSV). Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page Statement by the UMC Council of Bishops President Janice Riggle-Huie We join others who deplore the escalating violence in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon and urge parties to mediate the conflict and end the mounting casualties among the innocent. We also join those who urge President Bush to use the strength and authority of his office, with the support of other leaders, to bring the parties together for mediation. Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page Commission on Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns Chief Executive the Rev. Larry Pickens July 14, 2006 I particularly call on the leadership of the United States government and the Security Council of the United Nations to play constructive roles in bringing an end to the developing crisis in the region. >>Return to the top of the page UMC General Board of Global Ministries Chief Executive the Rev. R. Randy Day July 14, 2006 The United Nations and the major powers, including the United States, must move quickly to control the new outbreaks of violence that threaten to plunge the Middle East into yet another round of warfare. All parties to the conflict should cease their military operations, focus on the protection of civilians, and try again to reach peaceful solutions to protracted disagreements and end the relentless provocations. We are seeing wanton disregard for civilians, some 50 of whom have been killed in the Israeli bombing of Beirut. Neither the attacks of Hezbollah on Israel or the Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon can be justified from the perspectives of international law or sound political policy. I join my voice to that of the Rev. Samuel Kobia of the World Council of Churches in calling for an end to the destruction of roads, bridges, airports and the Israeli blockage of Lebanese ports. The Israeli, Palestinian, and Lebanese people all deserve the right to live in peace and security. Only vigorous action by the United Nations and the major powers of North America and Europe can point toward a better future for the Middle East. Perhaps the time has come for an international peacekeeping operation to keep the warring factions from contact. Our prayers are with all of those being affected by the deplorable resumption of armed conflict in the Middle East. We think especially of our mission personnel in the region in Israel/Palestine and mission partners in the region, including a mission intern in Beirut. Relief aid is needed in the region, including families in Gaza and those affected by the bombing in Lebanon. United Methodist can help by sending contributions to the Middle East Emergency Fund #601740, through the Advance for Christ and His Church. The Advance is an official program of The United Methodist Church for voluntary, designated financial giving. One hundred percent of your donation goes to the Advance ministry you choose. Checks may be written to 'Advance GCFA' with Middle East Emergency fund #601740 in the memo area and placed in collection plates at United Methodist churches, or mailed directly to: Advance GCFA, P.O. Box 9068, GPO, New York, NY 10087-9068. Credit card donations may be made by calling (888) 252-6174. You may also make a donation online at http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/donate.cfm?code=601740. Click here for details. July 1, 2006 I strongly urge the State of Israel to suspend all bombing in Lebanon and for Israel and the Hezbollah forces to observe a total ceasefire, assisted by the United Nations. The world can no longer tolerate the behavior of either side in the renewed Middle East fighting, including the despicable Israeli bombings of civilians in Qana. Suspicion that a village may be “militant” is no justification for bombing and killing 60 people who have taken refuge in a building. Such thinking is political and morally unacceptable. Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page UMC GBGM Women's Division Deputy General Secretary Jan Love Our hearts break, our minds ache and our spirits explode with anguish over the escalating violence in the Middle East. While we witness daily the death, destruction and suffering in the region, we remember the hope, life and peace to which we are called as those who know the power of the resurrected Christ. We bring our prayer as Christians, together with others from different faith traditions, that all who earnestly seek peace with justice will find a way forward to immediately end hostilities and find a just, lasting and secure peace. Click here for details >>Return to the top of the page 2. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) STATEMENTS Presbyterian Church (USA) Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick July 14, 2006 I write to you with deep concern about the growing crisis in the Middle East. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has long been committed to working for a just peace in the region. Over the last fifty-six years we have consistently expressed our concern for peace between Israel, the Palestinian people, and the Arab states. We have called for United States policies to encourage and to help achieve the negotiation of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the region. The current situation demands leadership by your administration for the sake of Israel, the United States, and all the peoples of the region. If the spiral of violence between Israel and Lebanon is allowed to continue unchecked, the countries in the Middle East could be drawn into another regional war. An expanded conflict will threaten the security of our nation. I urge you, Mr. President, to work with the United Nations and the Israeli government to do everything possible to bring about a diplomatic solution to this crisis before the region is drawn into all-out war. We denounce the provocative actions of Hezbollah, and we fully recognize and support Israel’s right to self-defense. However, the disproportionate force being used by the Israeli military against Lebanon has caused the indiscriminate deaths of scores of Lebanese civilians, as well as major damage to Lebanon’s infrastructure. It further escalates the violence, destabilizes an already weak Lebanese government, and, in turn, destabilizes the region. We urge you to put pressure on all parties to find a diplomatic solution to this crisis. We urge you to work with the United Nations to put pressure on Hezbollah and its supporters to stop attacks on Israel and to return the kidnapped soldiers. And, we urge you to work in partnership with Israel to restrain the disproportionate use of military force. As Presbyterians, we understand God’s gift of peace to be most profoundly exemplified in the life and ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ calls all who profess faith in him to share the gospel message of peace in a broken and insecure world. We believe we are called to build a culture of peace for all of God’s children. We must have the courage to believe that peace is possible and take the steps necessary to achieve this goal. The people of the Middle East, the birthplace of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, are groaning under the burden of war and desperately desire peace. We implore you to not allow the extremists of the region to dictate the reality and final outcome of this situation. What is needed now is a sane and diplomatic voice, which the United States can provide. Please use all diplomatic means available to you to restrain the violence and calm the situation – for the sake of Israel, the United States, and all the peoples of the Holy Land and the wider region. Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office Director the Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory On behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I wish to express the deepest sorrow and concern for families on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border who have lost loved ones in the enduring hostilities of years and the rising violence of recent days. Particularly do we lament that the people of all Lebanon have again been plunged into a period of anguish and suffering by the spill-over of this unresolved conflict. The loss of life in Israel as a result of rocket attacks by Hezbollah is tragic and reprehensible, but the scale of Israel's response to the situation is morally unacceptable. A plea of self-defense is incredible when the numbers of dead and wounded fall so disproportionately on Lebanon. Frustrations in facing the resistance and attacks of Hezbollah are not a justification for bombing villages and cities where innocent civilians are bound to be the primary victims. It is unconscionable that the Israeli bombings have created 400,000 refugees. Targeting the infrastructure of a country still recovering from years of internal strife is a form of collective punishment that must be condemned. We do not believe that the use of violence by either side in this conflict is justifiable or effective in the pursuit of justice and peace. And certainly escalating the level of violence will not make a durable peace more likely. We urge both Hezbollah and Israel immediately to end attacks on or affecting civilian populations. And we urge Israel to abide by United Nations Resolution 425 which calls for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory. That seems an inescapable step in creating a situation in which full control over groups that would do Israel harm can and will be established. In this tragic situation, we urge the United States government to call upon all parties to respect and observe recognized international humanitarian standards in their policies and actions. The harm being inflicted upon innocent people is wrong and unacceptable. >>Return to the top of the page 3. LINKS TO ECUMENICAL & INTERFAITH STATEMENTS Interfaith Communities United for Peace and Justice (ICUJP) (2) July 14, 2006: Click here for details. Progressive Christians Uniting (3) July 21, 2006: Click here for details. Christian leaders and church heads letter to President George W. Bush July 20, 2006: Click here for details. Call for Emergency International Peace Conference by Religious Leaders of the World July 19, 2006: Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page National Council of Churches USA and Church World Service (The Chief executives of both agencies - the Rev. Bob Edgar and the Rev. John McCullough are United Methodists.) Joint Statement on the Current Violence in the Middle East July 14, 2006: Click here for details. NCC joins call for US brokered cease-fire in Mideast July 21, 2006: Click here for details. Church spokespersons decry 'escalating futility' in Middle East August 1, 2006: Click here for details. World Council of Churches General Secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia July 13, 2006: Click here for details. July 21, 2006: Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page World Methodist Council Governing Body meeting in Seoul, South Korea July 18, 2006: Click here for details. Churches For Middle East Peace (CMEP) (4) July 21, 2006: Click here for details. CMEP Member Church Statements, Ecumenical/Interfaith Statements. Click here for details. World Conference of Religions for Peace. Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page The American Jewish Committee. Click here for details. Hadassah (5). Click here for details.The Shalom Center. Click here for details. Rabbis for Human Rights - North America. Click here for details. Progressive Jewish Alliance. Click here for details.>>Return to the top of the page Council on American-Islamic Relations (6). Click here for details. Muslim Public Affairs Council
>>Return to the top of the page 6. LINKS TO QUAKER (RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS) STATEMENTS American Friends Service Committee July 21, 2006: Click here for details. Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting July 28, 2006: Click here for details. Atlanta Friends Meeting July 16, 2006: Click here for details. Friends Committee on National Legislation. Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page 7. LINKS TO MISCELLANEOUS OTHER FAITH COMMUNITIES National Council of Churches Links to Miscellaneous Faith Communities
Network of Spiritual Progressives. Click here for details. Unitarian Universalist Association. Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page 8. LINKS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE (PRESBYTERIAN & UNITED METHODIST) Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA-PC[USA]). Click here for details.United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Click here for details. Action by Churches Together (ACT) International >>Return to the top of the page 9. LINKS TO ON-LINE PETITIONS FROM RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES (N.B.:The United University Church Council has not taken a position on any of the following petitions.) Tikkun & Shalom Center. Click here for details. Progressive Christians Uniting July 21, 2006 Petition: Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page (N.B.: United University Church is not responsible for the content of any of these internet sites.) Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Rapid Information Network. Click here for details. Presbyterian News Service Washington Report to Presbyterians. Click here for details. United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries UMCOR. Click here for details. United Methodist News Service. Click here for details. UMC Board of Church & Society News Room. Click here for details. Churches for Middle East Peace Email Action Alerts. Click here for details. Official ICUJP News & Information. Click here for details. Progressive Christians Uniting Email Alerts. Click here for details. MFSA Middle East Network To subscribe, contact: dtw1010@aol.com Middle East Network of United Methodists (MENUM). Click here for details. National Council of Churches News Service. Click here for details. World Council of Church - NEWS. Click here for details. JTA Global News Service of the Jewish People. Click here for details. The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Click here for details. Middle East Council of Churches. Click here for details. American Muslim News Briefs Archives. Click here for details. The Muslim Public Affairs Council Email Newsletter. Click here for details. IslamOnline.net. Click here for details. Islamic Shura Council of Southern California (7). Click here for details. Tikkum Daily Updates. Click here for details. Sojourners - SojoMail issues online. Click here for details. Friends Committee on National Legislation. Click here for details. Middle East Report Online. Click here for details. >>Return to the top of the page FOOTNOTES 1. United University Church (UUC) - a progressive United Methodist and Presbyterian union church - is located on the north edge of the University of Southern California campus in the Los Angeles urban community. The UUC Peace Center, established in 1984, acts as a catalyst for peace and justice efforts in the neighborhood, surrounding community, at the University and in the church. At UUC, All Are Welcome! Cars must enter the parking lot at the rear of the church on the south side of Jefferson Blvd where it intersects with Hoover Blvd. There is no access to parking lot from West 34th Street. Click here for details. 2. Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (ICUJP), founded in Los Angeles after 9.11, supports the work of faith leaders from Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Jewish and other spiritual faiths and traditions who say "Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence...." United University Church is a member of ICUJP. ICUJP chair is the Rev. Louis Chase, pastor of Hamilton UMC in Los Angeles. Click here for details. 3. Progressive Christians Uniting (PCU) is a Southern California ecumenical organization committed to equipping individuals and congregations for the work of transforming society through the radically inclusive gospel of Jesus Christ. PCU is chaired by retired United Methodist Bishop Charles Jordan. Click here for details. 4. Churches For Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of 21 public policy offices of national churches and agencies -- Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant, including the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministry Women’s Division and General Board of Church and Society and the Presbyterian Church USA 5. Hadassah, the women's Zionist organization of America, is the largest Jewish women's organization in the United States, Click here for details. 6. Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a non-profit, grassroots membership organization dedicated to presenting an Islamic perspective on issues of importance to the American public. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CAIR has chapters across America. CAIR’s Southern California Chapter is located at 2180 W. Crescent Ave, Suite F, Anaheim, California 92801, Main Tel: 714-776-1847, Fax: 714-776-8340, Email: socal@cair.com, Website: www.cair-california.org 7. Islamic Shura Council of Southern California is an independent organization serving the Muslims of Southern California since 1995. Its purpose is to provide a forum for all Islamic Centers, Masajids, and Muslim organizations in Southern California. The main purpose of the organization is to promote communications, understanding, cooperation, and coordination among the leaders representing Muslim communities in Southern California. There are over 60 Islamic Centers, Masajids and Muslim organizations in Southern California. |