wfn.org | LWF General Secretary Urges Israelis, Palestinians to Break

["Frank Imhoff" <Frank_Imhoff@elca.org>]

LWF General Secretary Urges Israelis, Palestinians to Break Cycle of Violence
Affirmation of LWF Opposition to Policies that Undermine Peace Process

GENEVA, 14 October 2004 (LWI) * The general secretary of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF), Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, has expressed deep concern over the
escalating violence in the Gaza region, and has urged "Israelis and
Palestinians alike" to break the cycle of violence through dialogue, mutual
understanding and compassion. 

In a statement released today, Noko expresses support for a recent call by
the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem, who urge both sides in the
dispute to stop the violence and return to the 'Road Map' for peace.

Israel's latest military operation is reportedly aimed at eliminating the
threat of homemade rockets being fired by the militant Hamas group on an
Israeli town beyond the northeastern borders of Gaza. 

Noko reaffirms the LWF's categorical opposition to any attack on civilians,
collective punishment, promotion of hatred of the other, policies that
undermine the 'Road Map,' and the establishment of a viable Palestinian
state. (174 words)

Full text of the LWF General Secretary's statement follows: 

Statement by the General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation on the
Situation in the Gaza Region

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is deeply concerned over the escalating
violence in the Gaza strip during recent days. The LWF supports a call by the
Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem earlier this month, urging both
Israelis and Palestinians to stop the violence, and endorses their appeal for
prayers for peace in the Holy Land.

The bloody cycle of attack and counter-attack will not bring peace for either
community. And while the children of Abraham remain in enmity and conflict,
the whole world is divided. This cycle of violence in Israel-Palestine can
only be broken by dialogue, mutual understanding and compassion.

The LWF reiterates its long-held position supporting a two-state solution,
based on the negotiated establishment of a viable Palestinian state alongside
the State of Israel. Equally, the LWF reaffirms its categorical opposition to
any attack on civilians, collective punishment, promotion of hatred of the
other, and policies that undermine the Road Map, and the establishment of a
viable Palestinian State.

It is the LWF's earnest hope that the Government of Israel and the leadership
of the Palestinian Authority would lead their peoples on the path of peace.
The LWF urges both Israelis and Palestinians alike to seek the path of peace,
rather than war, for the sake of their children and the children of the
world. We call on the international community - especially the Quartet of the
United States, the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United
Nations  to do all in their power to restrain both sides of this conflict
from actions that only fuel violence rather than the much-needed peace. How
many more children must die before the international community demonstrates
political resolve to stop this despicable, continuous violence that has cost
so many innocent human lives? 

Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko
General Secretary

14 October 2004 

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138 member
churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a membership of nearly 65
million Lutherans. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of
common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith relations, theology,
humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects
of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva,
Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service. Unless
specifically noted, material presented does not represent positions or
opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an article
contains the notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with
acknowledgment.]

*    *	   *

LWI online at: http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html 

LUTHERAN WORLD INFORMATION
PO Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: (41.22) 791.63.54
Fax: (41.22) 791.66.30 
Editor's e-mail: pmu@lutheranworld.org