wfn.org | Presiding Bishops's statement on Is

[ENS.parti@ecunet.org (ENS)]

September 26, 1997
Episcopal News Service
Jim Solheim, Director
212-922-5385
ens@ecunet.org

97-1967
Presiding Bishops's statement on Israeli/Palestinian peace process

      I continue to be outraged and heartbroken at acts of terrorism
against innocent Israelis committed by extremists opposed to the peace
process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. And I commend
President Clinton for his decision to move ahead with Secretary
Albright's visit to the region as planned for September 9. The peace
process cannot be held captive to violence. And I commend Yasser
Arafat for his swift condemnation of this latest atrocity.
      I also encourage efforts being made by the Palestinian Authority
and the Israeli government, assisted by the United States, to identify
those responsible for these heinous crimes. The perpetrators need to be
apprehended, charged and prosecuted. Cooperative strategies are the best
hope to succeed in stamping out this scourge. Unilateral action by Israel
in pursuit of suspects within territory controlled by the Palestinian
Authority will only further exacerbate the problem. 
      Great responsibility rests with President Arafat in combatting
terrorism from the Palestinian side and I urge him to make concrete
advances in this effort and to make his words clear in action by putting
an end to terrorism against the Israeli people. In doing so, it is morally
improper to demand that President Arafat not pursue dialogue and
reconciliation with his Palestinian adversaries. While fighting terrorism,
his efforts to build consensus for peace among all Palestinian
constituencies should be encouraged.
      The struggle against terrorism must be pursued vigorously, but
the continuation of the peace process must move forward in tandem with
these efforts as well. If the peace process continues to be suspended
pending apprehension of all terrorists, then the terrorists get what they
want. They must not be given any satisfaction or encouragement that
their tactics are working. 
      There is also much that Prime Minister Netanyahu can do to
reverse the hopelessness that gives rise to the violence. First, the closure
of Israel and East Jerusalem to Palestinians from Gaza and the West
Bank, the restricted movement within the territories and the imposition of
sanctions is a form of collective punishment which is intolerable. It
punishes the innocent by robbing them of their employment, denying
them access to medical and cultural institutions, preventing their conduct
of legitimate business and pursuing worship in their places of choice.
Collective punishment is an injustice that enrages the general population
and gives fuel to those who would advocate violence. Innocent
Palestinians no more deserve such punishment than Israeli citizens
deserve being targets of terrorists.
      Second, the Israeli government must confront its policy of
settlement expansion in the territories and impose a permanent
suspension, including in East Jerusalem, and must desist from destroying
Palestinian homes. Settlement expansion and destruction of homes
undermine the efforts to curb terrorism and instead become a pretext for
further violence.
      Suspension of these actions, coupled with the opening of the
airport and seaport in Gaza and free passage between Gaza and the West
Bank would do much to isolate the terrorists and prepare the climate for
final status negotiations on the remaining issues, including the resolution
of Jerusalem as the capital of two sovereign states.
      The role of the United States is crucial and neither side will be
able to move forward without the U.S. fulfilling its obligations as a
sponsor of the peace process. Both sides are under enormous pressure
from some of their own constituencies to scuttle the quest for peace. I
urge Secretary Albright to call for courage and vision from their
leadership and, if necessary, to apply diplomatic and economic pressure
to achieve compliance with the Oslo accords.
      My prayers are with Secretary Albright, Prime Minister
Netanyahu, President Arafat and all Palestinians and Israelis in the
critical days ahead.

Edmond L. Browning
Presiding Bishop and Primate
Episcopal Church of the United States