wfn.org | United Church of Christ calls on US to rebuild Palestinian Homes

[George Conklin <gconklin@wfn.org>]

United Church of Christ
Office of Communication
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
contact: Barbara Powell
phone: 216-736-2222
email: powellb@ucc.org
http://www.ucc.org

PROVIDENCE, RI - July 6 1999 - 
Synod Calls for US Funds to Rebuild Palestinian Homes

by J. Martin Bailey
        PROVIDENCEThe United Church of Christ today urged the U. S. government
to use financial aid in ways that “deter development of Israeli settlements in
Palestinian areas” and to “rebuild infrastructure and homes for the Palestinian
people.”
        The action came in an overwhelming vote on a resolution “Bringing
Justice and Peace to the Middle East.”  Originating with the Bay Association of
the Northern California Nevada Conference, the resolution calls on the United
States to “monitor closely types of aid to the State of Israel and Palestinian
areas.”  
        The Synod action called for balanced reporting of events in Israel and
Palestinian areas in United Church of Christ publications.  An amendment to the
resolution urged that U.S. financial resources be used “in nonviolent ways” to
deter development of Israeli settlements.
        Both in committee debate and on the floor of General Synod, delegates
cautioned against “demonizing the people of Israel,” and urged “a waitandsee
attitude toward the new government of Israel that appears to be ready to take
steps toward peace in the region and justice for Palestinians.”
        One delegate, Claire Hoffman of Woodland Hills, Calif., described
herself as “half Jewish,” whose family strongly supports efforts to achieve
peace in the Middle East and desires justice for Palestinians.
        Another, the Rev. Philip J. Mayher of Weston, Mass., said that since
“the 1987 General Synod affirmed God’s covenant with the Jewish people,” we
need also to be constructive in our criticism of the State of Israel.”  Mayher
was one of the drafters of the 1987 action and recently returned from a trip to
the Holy Land.  
        Several delegates, including the Rev. Zoltan Szucs of the Lorain, Ohio,
Hungarian Reformed UCC, a member of the denomination’s Executive Council, said
the resolution has “ nothing to do with antiSemitism.  We are here standing for
justice for Palestinians.”
        Extensive background information published with the resolution asserted
that “Israel has continually ignored the precepts of international law and has
employed its military, political and economic superiority to consolidate its
dominion over occupied territory.  It has done this with major support from the
United States of both public and private funds and inkind contributions.”  The
background material was researched in Israel and Palestine by the Rev. Larold
K. Schulz of Alameda, Calif.
        Among delegates who supported the issue was the Rev. Sharon
Prestemon of
Stevens Point, Wis., who recently returned from a “sacred journey” to Israel
and the Palestinian areas.  “We looked at homes that had been demolished by the
Israelis not once, not twice, but three times.  We talked with children who had
only known refugee camps as their homes.  In some ways, I am and all of us are
participants in the oppression of the Palestinian people.  Our government needs
to hear our voices,” she said.   The Synod action specifically mentioned both
the executive and legislative branches of the federal government.  
        The Rev. Susan Townsley of Bridgeport, Conn., chaired the committee
that
reviewed the resolution and presented it to the General Synod for action. 
According to Townsley, “the original draft called for cutting military aid to
Israel but the committee preferred to focus on the issue of settlements.”  She
reported that missionaries and other specialists had testified before the
committee.  “They helped us understand how the Israeli settlements have
affected the lives of Palestinians and have impacted the peace process,” she
said.
        In the course of the Synod debate, Anna Creech of Harrisonburg, Va.,
noted that while Palestinians are oppressed, Israel is surrounded by hostile
neighbors.  “It is inappropriate for us to take sides at this time,” she said,
expressing confidence that the new government in Israel will make peace with
the Palestinians.  She pled with the Synod, saying, “More must be done with
Christian organizations over there to support peace.”