wfn.org | Jerusalem Lutheran Bishop Calls for World Response to Violence

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 7, 2002

JERUSALEM LUTHERAN BISHOP CALLS FOR WORLD RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE
02-043-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran bishop in Jerusalem has called on
the world community to pray and act on behalf of Palestinians and
Israelis who are being "victimized" by a deadly cycle of violence
throughout Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
     The call was part of an urgent message March 7 from the Rev. Munib
A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and
Palestine) (ELCJ).  Younan began his message by wishing readers "salaam
and grace from the unpeaceful city of Jerusalem."  Lutheran church
members in the Middle East have been directly affected by the violence,
he said.
     In the past week scores of Palestinians and Israelis have been
killed or injured in an escalating cycle of violence.  Palestinian
extremists have killed Israeli soldiers and some civilians, while
Israeli Defense Forces have continued a pattern of military attacks on
Palestinian neighborhoods and government facilities throughout the
region.
     This week U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell criticized Israeli
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who said Israel would respond to the
Palestinians with heavy military force.  Powell told the U.S. Congress
that military action to kill Palestinians would lead nowhere.
Palestinians are calling for international intervention to protect them
from Israeli forces.
     "The continuous cycle of attack and counterattack, revenge and
more revenge is in full swing and it is escalating at an alarming rate,"
Younan said in his message. "Nearly hour-by-hour new violence erupts."
     Bombing and shelling continue in Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour
and Ramallah, Younan said.  Lutheran churches are located in each city.
     In Beit Jala, windows were shattered at the home of the Rev.
Jadallah Shihadeh, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the
Reformation, as a result of shelling by Israeli fighter jets, Younan
reported.  The family was not at home at the time because they were
staying temporarily at a boarding school at the church, he said.
     "Their home is very near Palestinian government buildings, which
have sustained extensive shelling," Younan said.
     The Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor at Evangelical Lutheran Christmas
Church, Bethlehem, said his two children were frightened by the shelling
and could not sleep, according to Younan.
     "This trauma is multiplied by thousands of families and children,"
Raheb said.  "The Lutheran schools also are affected, with teachers and
children severely traumatized."
     The West Bank city of Ramallah is "sealed off," denying anyone
travel.  ELCJ staff and family members have been nearby when violent
incidents have occurred, and Israeli checkpoints on roadways have
intensified, Younan reported.
     Younan asked for three types of responses by people living outside
the region:
     + Ask their own governments to pressure the Israeli government to
stop the military occupation of Palestinian territories.  "It is this
sinful occupation, now almost 35 years in existence, which is the root
cause of the bloodshed and violence," Younan said. Governments should
also call on the Israelis and Palestinians to "resume negotiations for a
just peace based on international legitimacy."
     + Continue to pray for victims "of injustice and violence" on both
sides of the conflict.
"Please pray for the ELCJ in these highly stressful and difficult times,
remembering the children and the schools, the teachers, the families and
everyone who is suffering," he said.
     + Continue to assist the ELCJ financially, so the church can
assist Lutheran families and meet expenses at Lutheran schools.
-- -- --
     A variety of updated resources related to the Middle East and the
present conflict can be found at http://www.elca.org/co/mideast.html on
the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html