wfn.org | Christian Youth in Mideast Issue Solidarity Statement

[JerusalemRelOrgs@aol.com]

For additional information, contact
Lewis R. Scudder Jr
MECC Limassol:
P.O.Box 4259
Limassol, Cyprus
Phone: +357 (5) 326 022
Fax: +357 (5) 324496
Email: scudder@spidernet.com.cy
Web: www.mecchurches.org

JERUSALEM, April 30, 2002--At the end of a region-wide ecumenical gathering,
the youth from nations across the Middle East issued the following statement
in solidarity with the Palestinian people:

"Our humanity is a reflection of the humanity of others"

We do not wish this to be another echoing statement of support for poor,
victimized people.

We do not wish this to be a message of sympathy with downtrodden neighbors.

This is OUR collective statement about justice being a priority and a
prerequisite for any future action for peace.

Regardless of ethnicity, race, creed or national identity, the Palestinians
in the West Bank are our brothers and sisters in humanity.  If we advocate
the integrity of all creation, can we not advocate for the interdependence
and integrity of humanity?

We are running a high risk of violating our own humanity if we do not
recognize that of others.  Let us constantly remember that Jesus Christ
placed identified Himself interchangeably with the "lesser brothers," and let
us together reflect on this likeness in the Palestinian context.

Over the past two weeks we have witnessed an Israeli aggression against
Palestinian in the West Bank towns and refugee camps that is beyond all human
comprehension, and we have all reflected differently on the reasons behind
this aggression.  However, as a brothers and sisters in humanity, can we not
collectively recognize the suffering of the innocent men, women and children?

This form of collective punishment can only breed more hatred, more rage, and
ultimately more violence.  We all want peace. We all want the violence to end
and for all fighters to go home.  But what if there is no home as a result of
the demolitions, no family because of the killings, and nothing to return to
except despair; to a fear that the future only holds more bloodshed, tears,
expulsions and inhumanity?

Let us together advocate for peace with a kind of redemptive justice that
reinstates Palestinian humanity.

Peace with justice

As ecumenical youth in the Middle East, we have long been dedicated to
encouraging youth in the region to act collectively in their advocacy of
peace, understanding and reconciliation.  Our local, regional, and
international activities have reflected this stand that ecumenical youth
movements in the region are in solidarity with their counterparts in
Palestine, who are an integral part of the Middle East ecumenical youth
family.

However, our peace-building activities have always advocated peace with
justice.  Today we stand united with our Palestinian brothers and sisters,
colleagues and fellows in humanity in affirming that:

+ Palestinian Lands are illegally occupied against all internationally rights
of self-determination;

+ All settlement activity is an infringement of internationally recognized
law and UN resolutions;

+ East Jerusalem is the capital of an independent Palestinian State;

+ Violence is the consequence of injustice, humiliation, and dehumanization.

+ There can be no peace without a justice that reinstates humanity b a
recognition of this humanity must come through both the recognition of the
kinship of humanity, and through the recognition of the inalienable
Palestinian right to self-determination as called for by international law
and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all subsequent conventions
and resolutions.

The international community bears both a human, legal and moral
responsibility to condemn and stop all forms of Israeli aggression against
the Palestinian people, and work diligently to reinstate justice and peace.
We therefore call and urge world youth communities to advocate and act for:

+ An immediate end to the Israeli occupation on all occupied Palestinian
Lands according to UN resolutions; as well as the Golan Heights of Syria, and
rest of South Lebanese lands.

+ An end to all settlement activity and a recognition of the rights of
refugeesb return to their homeland.

+ An end to the siege of the Church of Nativity where Jesus Christ was born,
and the continued suffering inside.

+ Raising the collective voice of ecumenical youth movements around the world
to stand in support and solidarity with the Palestinians, in words and deeds,
and to advocate with their respective congregations and community for an end
to Israeli occupation and a reinstatement of justice.

+ Sending letters of solidarity to Palestinians and campaigning for their
just cause.

+ Lifting our collective prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ that peace with
justice will soon abide in the Holy Land.

Lastly, we urge all those concerned parties to circulate this statement as
the cry of Middle East ecumenical youth movements and network for peace with
justice.

Let us pray for peace.

The Middle East Council of Churches
Ecumenical Youth Movement and Network

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