wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] PC(USA) letter lauds Israelis for Gaza pullout

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8906 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05481
Sept. 14, 2005

Letter lauds Israelis for Gaza pullout

Removal of settlements presents 
'moment of hope,' PC(USA) leaders say

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE - The top three leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have
sent a letter to Israeli authorities, praising them for the removal of all
settlements in Gaza and four in the West Bank.

	The letter, dated Sept. 13, was signed by Rick Ufford-Chase,
moderator of the 216th General Assembly, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated
clerk of the General Assembly, and John Detterick, executive director of the
General Assembly Council. It was addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon, President Moshe Katsav and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert.

     The three PC(USA) leaders said the denomination "is encouraged" by the
Israeli government's decision not to expand the Maale Adumim settlement
between the Biblical cities of Bethany and Jerusalem.

	They called the decisions "bold, important steps" that "present a
clear moment of hope for the region."

	They said they realize that the Gaza pullout caused great pain to
many Israeli settlers, and said the PC(USA) is praying "that these wounds
will be healed." 

	They said the denomination will continue to push for the cessation of
actions by both Israelis and Palestinians "that violate human rights and
impede peace," including terrorist attacks, settlement expansions,
construction of the "separation barrier," and home demolitions.

	"Our deepest hope," they concluded, "remains for justice, peace, and
security for all Israelis and Palestinians."

The text:

Sept. 13, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
President Moshe Katsav
Mayor Ehud Olmert 

Grace and peace to you. 

On behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), we
take this opportunity to commend you for recent actions to remove all of the
settlements in Gaza and four settlements in the West Bank. We are also
encouraged by your decision not to expand the Maale Adumim settlement with an
additional 3,500 units. These are bold, important steps in the direction of
compliance with international law and a peaceful solution to the conflict.
They present a clear moment of hope for the region.

We are thankful that the evacuation of settlers occurred without extreme
violence or loss of life. Nevertheless, we recognize the pain many Israelis
felt as citizens were removed, some against their will, from their homes and
communities. We pray that these wounds will be healed, and that those who
have been uprooted may know welcome and hospitality, and soon feel at home in
their new surroundings.

We remain concerned about the future of the Gaza Strip. With severe economic,
political, and social challenges facing it, Gaza needs support from all
quarters to succeed as a good home for its residents and a good neighbor to
Israel and the world. Israel's role, remaining in control of Gaza's borders,
needs to be worked out through negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.
We encourage you to work toward Gaza's success by fulfilling your commitment
to a "safe passage" between Gaza and the West Bank, removing export
impediments on Palestinian goods, and enabling construction of a seaport and
rehabilitation of the airport.

We continue to call on both the state of Israel and the Palestinian Authority
to cease actions that violate human rights and impede peace. Continuing
terrorism, settlement expansion, construction of the Separation Barrier, and
home demolitions indicate the continued need for the hard work of
peacemaking.

We are hopeful that the Gaza disengagement reflects the commitment of a
courageous leadership willing to make difficult decisions on behalf of peace
and justice throughout the region.

We believe that God has called us to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with our Creator. In this region, which holds so many special places
for us, our deepest hope remains for justice, peace, and security for all
Israelis and Palestinians.

In all these things, we give glory to God.

Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the 216 th General Assembly
The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
John Detterick, Executive Director of the General Assembly Council

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