wfn.org | Humanitarian Aid to Palestinians Authorized by MECC

[JerusalemRelOrgs@aol.com]

For further information contact:
Rev. Dr. Riad Jarjour
General Secretary, Middle East Council of Churches
Beriut, Lebanon
Tel: 961.1.353.938
Email: mecc@cyberia.net.lb

BEIRUT, LEBANON, April 15, 2002--Members of the Executive Committee of the 
Middle East Council of Churches in Lebanon held a meeting in Beirut on April 
15, 2002, to discuss the situation in Palestine. 

The council9s General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Riad Jarjour, summarized the 
situation  in Palestine especially as expressed by the churches and council 
staff  there. He also informed them about the efforts and actions taken by 
churches  and decision makers throughout the world to bring a halt to the 
terrorism  and massacres being inflicted by the Israeli army upon the 
Palestinian  people, and the siege it has laid against President Yasser 
Arafbt and his  aids.   

In the context of these efforts Rev. Jarjour informed the gathering  about 
the letter he had sent to the American president, Mr. George W. Bush.  

Finally, he described the on-site humanitarian efforts the council has been  
expending in support the Palestinian people: medical aid,  shipments of
food, relief efforts and other expressions of solidarity.  

Following discussion, those attending took action to support practical 
measures, positions and efforts demonstrating the council9s intention to help 
limit the impact of Israel9s vicious attack, to support the Palestinians in 
their steadfast resolve to remain on their land, and to  carry on searching 
for a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution of their cause, the cause of 
all Arabs, a cause which all lovers of justice and peace should adopt.

Foremost among the actions taken were the following: 

A.    The Middle East Council of Churches condemns in the strongest terms 
possible  Israeli actions against the Palestinian people. These violate and 
deny the most basic human rights.
     The council calls upon all parties involved in the  Middle East peace 
process to implement the resolutions of the United Nations and of the 
Security Council that have to do with the Arab-Israeli conflict.  
     They must use all legitimate means to oblige Israel to withdraw from 
lands it has occupied in Palestine, in the Syrian Golan, and in southern 
Lebanon.  
     They must support the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian 
state  with Jerusalem as its capital, and also champion the return of 
Palestinian
refugees to their homes. 
     
     To this end, those gathered expressed the desire that:  

     1.     The presidents of the Middle East Council of Churches -- His
Holiness Pope Shenouda III, His Holiness Patriarch Petros VIII, His Eminence
Bishop Kyrillos Bustros, and Rev. Dr. Salnm Sahiouny  --  jointly address an
appeal to all relevant governments, organizations and assemblies in the
region and throughout the world, urging them to use all available means and
expend whatever effort is needed to implement what has been noted above.  

     2.  The General Secretary of the MECC continue to pursue his contacts 
with 
ecclesiastical and ecumenical organizations throughout the world, urging upon 
them haste and firmness in persuading civil and governmental authorities to 
help in achieving the above stated objectives.  

B.    The council supports the stalwart Palestinian people in their trials 
and in
their pride as they suffer displacement, repression, hunger, expulsion, death 
and destruction at the hands of the Israeli government and its army unchecked 
by any who might implement international resolutions and humanitarian values. 

     In light of this, those attending request the General Secretary to:  

     1.    Continue supporting the determination of the Palestinian people to 
stand firm and recover their human, spiritual and material potentials.  
     He is to extend to them whatever humanitarian assistance possible 
through the MECC9s programs such as the Department for Service to Palestinian 
Refugees, its Ecumenical Relief Services and any other program that might 
help in this regard.  

     2.    The General Secretary is also asked to take whatever action is 
appropriate to secure assistance in funds or in kind and use them to support 
the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.  

C.    Christians in the Middle East -- individuals and churches -- are urged 
to gather for prayer, asking God Almighty to uphold the people of our region 
in overcoming these overwhelming trials,  and granting to those in positions 
of power insight, wisdom and righteousness so that morality may guide the 
political process toward goodness, justice, and peace not just for the people 
of the Middle East but for all oppressed people suffering injustice.   

     Members Attending:  Council presidents:   Bishop Kyrillos Bustros, and 
Rev. Dr. Salnm Sahiouny. Committee members:    Bishop George Salnbb, Rev. 
Megredish Keragoezian, Rev. Dr. Habib Badr,  Rev. Adeeb Awad, Archmandrite 
Narigh Alamazyan, Archmandrite Shahan Sarkissian,  Mr. Shafnq Haydar, Mr. 
Ibrahnm Trbbulsn, and Mr. Antoine Karnabn.  General Secretary:    Rev. Dr. 
Riad Jarjour. 

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