wfn.org | Griswold joins church leaders in letter on Jerusalem

[ENS@ecunet.org]

2000-134

http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/ens

Griswold joins church leaders in letter on Jerusalem

by James Solheim

     (ENS) Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold joined 15 other church leaders in 
writing a letter to President Bill Clinton on the future of Jerusalem.

     The letter began with an expression of appreciation for the "considerable 
devotion and time" the president and members of his administration have given to 
peacemaking, citing the recent summit meeting at Camp David as "a significant 
step forward in this historic and difficult endeavor."

     Addressing the issue of the unique status of Jerusalem, the church leaders 
said that it "has long been a high priority issue for our churches," especially 
since many American churches have partner congregations in the city. Beyond those 
connections, the churches "recognize the profound significance of the Holy City 
for the whole of humankind, especially the Abrahamic family."

     Many of the church leaders signing the September 6 letter also signed one in 
1995 that said that open negotiations on the status of Jerusalem are "essential 
for reaching an accord." The letter contended that the role churches, in the 
United States and Jerusalem, could bring to political negotiations has not been 
recognized. 

     The letter, written by Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, outlined a set of perspectives and 
principles endorsed by the churches:

     *International law, which concludes that Israel's occupation of East 
Jerusalem is illegal, can't be cast aside.

      *The status of the city should not be determined by the Israelis and 
Palestinians alone because the significance of Jerusalem to the international 
community must be taken more seriously.

      *Attempts to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem prior to 
an agreement is extremely provocative.

      *Blocking access to the city by Palestinians from the West Bank and 
Gaza without an Israeli permit is totally unacceptable and discriminatory.

      *Israeli expansion of settlements weakens the Palestinian community in 
Jerusalem.

      *Interest of the churches extends to living communities of believers, 
as well as holy sites.

      *Jerusalem needs a special statute for its governance, preventing it 
from being victimized by laws imposed as a result of hostilities or wars and 
allowing it to be an open city that transcends local, regional or world political 
troubles.

     The letter was signed by a wide range of church leaders-Unitarian 
Universalist, Quaker, Roman Catholic, Reformed, Disciples of Christ, 
Presbyterian, Mennonite, Methodist, Brethren, Orthodox, United Church of Christ, 
and the National Council of Churches.

--James Solheim is director of the Episcopal Church's Office of News and 
Information.