wfn.org | U.S. Church Council Urges Israel to Dismantle Separation Wall

["Carol Fouke" <cfouke@ncccusa.org>]

November 13, 2003
Media Contact: news@ncccusa.org; 212-870-2227
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES U.S.A. URGES DISMANTLING
OF THE SEPARATION WALL BY THE STATE OF ISRAEL
NEW YORK CITY - Meeting Nov. 4-6 in Jackson, Miss., the National Council of
Churches General Assembly adopted the following resolution on the conflict
in the Middle East, urging in particular a dismantling of the Separation
Wall by the State of Israel.
* * * *
Resolution on the Conflict in the Middle East
Adopted by the NCC General Assembly, Nov. 6, 2003
Whereas, the General Assembly of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the USA, meeting at a time of continuing violent confrontation in
the Middle East with the breakdown of the Israeli - Palestinian peace
process, witnesses with deep distress the building of the Separation Wall by
Israel;
Whereas, we note that the Wall is resulting in the de facto imprisonment of
the Palestinian population, the denial of access by Palestinians to
emergency services, health care, food, employment, schools and water
resources, the curtailment of freedom of movement among the Palestinian
people, and the exacerbation of suffering;
Whereas, the Wall violates international law and eliminates hope for a
peaceful resolution of the Middle East conflict;
Whereas, we, as people of faith, are deeply troubled by the systematic
violence against Palestinians, and equally troubled by bombing campaigns
against Israelis;
Whereas, the National Council of the Churches of Christ USA has historically
called for the breaking down of walls of division, based on our faith that
Now in Christ Jesus, he has broken down the dividing wall that is the
hostility between us (Eph. 2:14);
Therefore, be it resolved that the General Assembly of the National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the USA, meeting in Jackson, Mississippi,
November 4-6, 2003, calls for the tearing down of the Separation Wall that
is now being erected;
And be it resolved that the General Assembly offers its prayers for the well
being of all people in the region, including our Christian sisters and
brothers whose presence in the Holy Land continues to decline in the midst
of this violence;
And be it resolved that the General Assembly reiterates its long-standing
support for the establishment of a Palestinian State alongside the State of
Israel, and its call for the preservation of the City of Jerusalem as an
open, shared city where free access to holy places and freedom of worship
are assured for people of all faiths;
And be it resolved that the General Assembly calls upon its member churches
to send delegations of solidarity to the Middle East as an expression of
their compassion for the people of the region;
And be it resolved that the General Assembly encourages its member churches
and their delegates and others attending this General Assembly to join with
other United States organizations who have designated November 9, 2003, as a
day to express opposition to the Separation Wall, and to convey to United
States public policy-makers their concern for peace with justice and
reconciliation in the Middle East.
-end-

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