wfn.org | Letter to Clinton on Palestinians

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (200
notes).

Note 198 by UMNS on July 3, 1997 at 14:49 Eastern (2202 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Bloom                              386(10-71B){198}
          New York (212) 870-3803                     July 3, 1997

Letter asks Clinton to take
initiative in Mideast peace

               by United Methodist News Service

     A July 3 letter to President Clinton asks him to act
"courageously to halt the creation of a massive human problem in
Israel and the West Bank."
     The letter, sent by the Rev. Joe Hale, general secretary,
World Methodist Council, was in response to a statement sent to
him by Majed Nassar, a medical doctor who created and runs a Greek
Orthodox clinic in Beit Sahour.
     Nassar called the current situation in the West Bank and Gaza
"pure madness."
     Citing such examples as confiscating land, building new
Jewish settlements and closing of Jerusalem to Palestinians,
Nassar called the Israeli government actions unfair, unjust and
simply outrageous. "Many who were thinking that the peace process
is going to bring peace to the area are thinking now it is going
to bring the 'last peace' for the Palestinians," he said.
     In his attached letter to Clinton, Hale noted that Nassar
explains the "why" of recent rock throwing incidents,
demonstrations and general unrest in Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem
and other parts of the West Bank.
     He said that Nassar, who has had United Methodist support for
his clinic, "is a kind and compassionate man who is working day
and night to help poor children, women and men who are sick.
Because Jerusalem -- just six miles away -- is closed to
Palestinians, he labors against great odds."
     Hale cited President Clinton as "a major partner in shaping
the future for millions of Jews and Palestinians" and referred to
his "brilliant" leadership in starting the peace process.
     "Your seeing it through to completion, as probably was
expected, is proving to be difficult, but it can be the greatest
accomplishment of your presidency," he wrote.
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