wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] WCC calls for end to Israeli occupation,

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Note #7407 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

WCC calls for end to Israeli occupation, Palestinian suicide bombings 
02331
September 2, 2002 
    
WCC calls for end to Israeli occupation, Palestinian suicide bombings  
  
by Jerry Van Marter  

Geneva - The World Council of Churches, which has sought peaceful resolution of the Middle East conflict throughout its 50-year history, renewed its call on Monday for an end to Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and a halt to Palestinian suicide bombings.  	While the statement by the WCC's central committee - the main governing body of the world's largest ecumenical organization - broke no new ground, a top WCC staff member called it part of a "consistent and persistent effort" by the WCC to produce a settlement.  
  	The Rev. Dwain Epps - who is retiring as the WCC's international affairs specialist - said the statement "is based on our commitment to international law and to peace, justice and reconciliation."  
  	The statement calls for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian territories, for "all concerned parties" to ensure the safety of civilians, for the international community to make a more concerted effort to mediate the conflict, and for governments - particularly the United States - to redirect economic aid from military to humanitarian purposes. 
  	Addressing the recent spiral of violence in the region, the central committee said it deplored:   
  	* "Israel's military invasion and reoccupation of the Palestinian territories, extra-judicial executions of Palestinian leaders, killing of Palestinian civilians, application of collective punishments and destruction of Palestinian homes and property in Israel and the occupied territories", and  
  	* "all acts of terror against civilians in Israel and the occupied territories, including especially the growing and deeply troubling practice of organized and indiscriminate suicide bombings."  
  	One week ago, the WCC sent a group of 10 "accompaniers" to Israel and Palestine to support the efforts of peace activists and social service workers there.   
  	The initial report from the group (all Europeans) is due on Tuesday, said Salpy Eskidjian, who is coordinating the accompaniment program.   
  	Described by the WCC as "accompaniers", those in the program will travel with such people as ambulance drivers, medical and mental health workers, local bishops and religious leaders, Israeli peace activists and other social service workers for agencies such as the YMCA and YWCA.  
  	Eskidjian said the first communications from the "accompaniers" and their hosts were positive and that "to our surprise" there has been no formal protest about their presence in Israel from the Israeli government
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