wfn.org | [ENS] Interreligious delegation outline Road Map priorities

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Monday, June 07, 2004

Interreligious delegation outline Road Map priorities

By Maureen Shea

ENS 060704-2

[ENS] A delegation of prominent national Christian, Jewish, and Muslim
leaders met June 1 with Secretary of State Colin Powell to urge immediate
U.S. action to pursue the Road Map to Peace in the Middle East
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2003/20062.htm. Bishop Thomas Ely of Vermont
represented Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold.

In their appeal to Powell, the leaders expressed a united view that high
level U.S. leadership on behalf of the Road Map must restart now and would
have the support of majorities in their communities. They noted that there is
strong support for their position not only among Arab, Muslim, and Jewish
Americans but evangelical Christians as well. The delegation, members of the
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East,
are united in their support of a two-state solution with a viable,
independent and democratic Palestinian state alongside the internationally
recognized Jewish state of Israel, with enduring peace and security for both
peoples.

The leaders urged the administration to act now and create the opportunity
for an envoy, appointed by the President, to negotiate an immediate ceasefire
and specific, reciprocal steps to be taken by both sides, as called for in
the Road Map. They pointed to the work of former Senator John Danforth of
Missouri and the key role he played in the peace accord recently signed for
Sudan. Danforth is an Episcopal priest.

Powell, also an Episcopalian, responded by saying that the United States is
fully engaged in the Middle East and reviewed the steps the administration
has taken to support the Road Map. He agreed that a presidentially appointed
envoy could be very effective, but said they "didn't want to waste a bullet"
until the timing was right. Powell reiterated his position that new steps can
only begin after the Palestinians act against terror.

At a press conference following the meeting, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of
Washington expressed the delegation's thanks for the meeting with Powell, but
noted the difference in opinion regarding the time for action. Ely drew on
his recent trip to Palestine and Israel, noting that "at every point along
the way, people expressed their deep hope that the United States would take
an active role now to bring people together." Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, stated that there was
"tension" in the meeting as the religious leaders advocated immediate action.
Rabbi Paul Menitoff asked that in order to end the cycle of violence, the
United States should invest in economic aid for the Palestinians, with
appropriate monitoring, to rebuild their infrastructure and economy, as well
as schools. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf emphasized that the United States needs to
act now in order to repair US/Arab relations and reduce the threat of
terrorism.

Griswold joined 32 prominent Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders in a letter
to President Bush in December of 2003 calling on the Administration to make
Middle East peace the highest priority and urging support for "Twelve Urgent
Steps for Peace." On June 1, the religious leaders recommitted themselves to
working nationally and internationally, as well as at the grassroots level,
to support immediate, active high level U.S. reengagement for peace. They are
urging that inter-religious leadership groups be established at the local
level to support the twelve steps and take action. More information on the
initiative is available at www.walktheroadtopeace.org.

--Maureen Shea is director of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government
Relations.

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