wfn.org | Palestinian Lutheran Bishop Says Election Process Demonstrates

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

Palestinian Lutheran Bishop Says Election Process Demonstrates Desire
for Change
Call for Continued Support from World Leaders

JERUSALEM/GENEVA, 31 January 2006 (LWI) * Palestinian Lutheran Bishop
Dr Munib A. Younan has described the recent Palestinian election process
as a clear demonstration of the people's desire for a new and more
effective government. 

While stating that Palestinians are "still somewhat in shock" at the
extent of the Hamas' election victory, the bishop of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) urges Palestinians,
especially Christians, not to panic and arrive at hasty conclusions but
to persevere and remain steadfast. "Now more than ever we need to
continue to be an active, integral part of the people and to continue as
Christian witnesses for justice, instruments of peace and ministers of
reconciliation," he says in a statement following the January 27 victory
of the Islamic party Hamas in the democratically-conducted elections.

The Lutheran leader pledges the ELCJHL's commitment to equality and
freedom for all in seeking a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. He urges faith and political leaders to continue their support
toward the church's work through schools and organizations in order to
strengthen Christian witness in the region.

Referring to his conversations with many who voted for Hamas, Younan
says they did not support a radical Islamic agenda or violence, but they
instead wanted change and reform "in a system that has been broken for a
long time."

The Lutheran bishop points out that time was needed for self-evaluation
about the Hamas' victory over the ruling Fatah party, and lists "an
accumulation of many things" that could have led to this achievement. He
cites among other issues, division, corruption and lack of
accountability within Fatah; and lack of substantial political support
by the government of the United States of America and Israel for
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his non-violent mandate. Younan
also mentions Hamas' social assistance toward needy Palestinian families
faced with economic hardships, and a poorly managed administration as
factors in the election outcome.

He challenges both Palestinians and Israelis to work together "to find
new language and proposals to build common ground on our shared
interests for justice and reconciliation and an end to occupation and
violence." 

Younan is vice-president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Asia
region. The 3,000-member ELCJHL joined the LWF in 1974. (391 words)

*The LWF statement on the Palestinian election process is available at
http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/1818.EN.html 

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(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 140
member churches in 78 countries all over the world, with a total
membership of nearly 66 million. 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.)

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Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent
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