wfn.org | Episcopalians: Massachusetts delegation calls for Day of Hope in Mideast

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

June 24, 2003

2003-149

Episcopalians: Massachusetts delegation calls for Day of Hope in 
Mideast

by James Solheim

(ENS) A delegation of 28 peace pilgrims from the Diocese of 
Massachusetts, led by Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, spent 10 days in 
the Middle East meeting with both Israelis and Palestinians and 
assessing the prospects for peace. Despite the violence and 
anger, they found a few signs of hope.

In a closing press conference on June 18, called a Day of Hope, 
Shaw said that the delegation was "impressed by how much worse 
relations between Palestinians and Israelis are today than they 
were when many members of our group were here a year ago. Fear 
and suspicion have increased" but during meetings with religious 
leaders "we have heard of the grassroots work that gives us 
hope." 

The delegation offered four observations on the political 
situation: "First, the violence on both sides must stop. We 
condemn terrorism and we condemn the effort to control 
Palestinians through military means. Second, both parties are 
suffering under the occupation, which has to end."

Third, we believe that there needs to be a return to the 1967 
borders and the establishment of a Palestinian State alongside 
Israel on those borders. That state needs to be a viable state" 
with investment by the international community to build "a civil 
society, establish a security infrastructure, and ensure 
sustainable economic development."

"Fourth, we ask that the Israeli government take seriously the 
removal of settlements from Palestine -- all of the 
settlements."

Shared grief

Shaw said the members of the delegation were convinced that 
"these foundation stones for peace are in the best interests of 
all parties. As church leaders we see them as foundation stones 
for reconciliation, which is the path to peace that our 
tradition teaches. We believe that the role of the church in 
conflict is to offer hope for reconciliation, even between 
bitterest enemies" and that both sides need to "sit down 
together to acknowledge the grief they share in this conflict's 
history."

The group pledged to continue its work with all those who are 
working for peace and to educate Americans about "the harsh 
realities of the conflict and the work for peace that you are 
doing." It also announced intentions to urge the American 
government to intensify its efforts to bring peace, convinced 
that peace was not possible without the direct involvement of 
the US government. And they said that a similar effort was 
necessary for the church "to be a leader and a teacher" on the 
search for peace.

"The Episcopal Church has long felt that the Palestinian side of 
the story has been neglected by the media," Shaw said in earlier 
comments, "but the Road Map for Peace put forth by thoughtful 
world leaders is very promising. This is a critical time for 
Israel. We hope that Palestinians and Israelis will be able to 
put aside old hatreds and forge a new relationship based not 
only on pain, but also on hope."

------

--James Solheim is director of the Episcopal News Service. This 
report is based on material provided by Ken Arnold, director of 
communications for the Diocese of Massachusetts, who covered the 
trip.