wfn.org | Episcopalians: Presiding Bishop calls for intervention by United Nations in Middle East

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

Easter Monday, April 1, 2002

2002-083

Episcopalians: Presiding Bishop calls for intervention by 
United Nations in Middle East

The current round of violence in Israel and the occupied 
territories has brought the crisis to its lowest and most 
dangerous ebb in many years.  Neither the present despicable 
round of suicide bombings, borne of years of occupation, nor the 
disproportionate military response of Israel is leading to any 
peaceful solution.  My heart goes out to all those families, 
both Israeli and Palestinian, who have lost loved ones in this 
latest round of violence.  They have my deepest condolences.

This tragic situation demands the immediate intervention of 
the international community.  I beseech the United Nations, 
supported fully by the United States, to send a peacekeeping 
force into occupied Palestinian areas for the purpose of 
ensuring an immediate ceasefire.  The United States must impress 
upon both sides the absolute necessity of this action.

Clearly, the two parties in this tragic conflict no longer 
have the means or the will to control events.   Therefore, it is 
imperative that the international community intervene to restore 
order and stability based on UN Security Council resolution 1402 
with a ceasefire as outlined in the Tenet plan.  Parallel tracks 
for immediate peace negotiations based on the Mitchell plan 
should accompany this effort.  I prevail on President Bush to 
send Secretary of State Colin Powell to the area as a sign of 
U.S. resolve to end the violence and to broker a just peace.

Even in the midst of the turmoil there have been hopeful signs.  
The Arab Leagues willingness to engage the peace process with 
an offer of normal relations in exchange for a Palestinian state 
based on pre-1967 borders is precedent setting, even 
breathtaking, and the moment must not be lost.  Extremist 
actions from either side cannot be allowed to circumvent genuine 
peace efforts being put forward.

I talked on Easter Day with Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal, 
Episcopal Bishop in Jerusalem, and heard of his and others 
unending efforts to bring both sides together.  I assured him of 
the prayers and actions of the Episcopal Church, USA, on behalf 
of him, the people of the Diocese of Jerusalem, and indeed, all 
those who call the Holy Land home.  The promise that 
Resurrection follows death is our hope in this dark hour.

Frank T. Griswold

Presiding Bishop and Primate

The Episcopal Church, USA

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