wfn.org | Churches urge U.S. action to restore cease fire in Gaza

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Churches urge U.S. action to restore cease fire in Gaza

> Written by staff reports
> December 29, 2008

UCC-supported Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition of 22 
national church bodies, is urging prompt action by the U.S. 
government to end the Gaza violence.

In a letter to President Bush, CMEP urged the U.S. government to take 
action to restore the cease fire between Israel and Gaza. A copy of 
the letter also went to President-elect Barack Obama.

"We at CMEP mourn the losses suffered," said CMEP Executive Director 
Warren Clark. "Looking forward, we call on the Bush Administration, 
along with international partners, to take a proactive role now to 
restore the cease fire, end the blockade and restore security to 
Gaza's borders."

> Here is the text of the letter:

> December 29, 2008

> The Honorable George W. Bush
> President of the United States
> The White House
> Washington, DC 20500

> Dear Mr. President,

During your presidency, we have often written to you, both 
recognizing the important steps you have taken to resolve the 
Arab-Israeli conflict and asking you to do more to achieve peace.  As 
representatives of twenty-two U.S. national churches and church 
organizations we write today with an unprecedented sense of urgency 
and foreboding because of the current Gaza violence.

As people of faith, we care deeply about the welfare of both Israelis 
and Palestinians and deplore the violent deaths of those caught in 
this conflict. We reject all justifications for the unconscionable 
Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza into Israel.  We 
similarly reject the Israeli response as disproportionate and believe 
that it is likely to strengthen extremists and undermine moderates in 
the region. While we appreciate Secretary Rice's statement of 
December 27 calling for an immediate cease-fire, there must now be 
prompt action by your Administration to help bring about an end to 
the violence.

It is not enough for the United States to urge "Israel to avoid 
civilian targets," particularly in light of Israel's stated intention 
to continue, expand, and intensify its current offensive.  If this 
spiraling violence continues, both Palestinians and Israelis will 
suffer and the risk of a broader confrontation will increase.  There 
can be no military solution to this conflict.  Only a political 
solution will bring a durable peace to both Palestinians and Israelis.

In addition to the escalating hostilities, the continued closure of 
Gaza with the cutoff or delay of vital food, fuel, electricity and 
adequate access to medical attention for the residents of Gaza must 
be addressed quickly and responsibly.  We are confident that U.S. 
engagement, together with international partners including Egypt, can 
help restore the cease-fire, end the border blockade, and establish 
real security at Gaza's borders.

We recognize that while the immediate renewal of a ceasefire in Gaza 
and southern Israel is essential, in the long-term only the 
realization of a just and lasting two-state solution can provide a 
secure and prosperous future for all the people of the Holy Land. 
That is the vision of peace you began with the Road Map and continued 
at Annapolis over a year ago to which we continue to be committed.

Our prayers are with you as well as with all those Palestinians and 
Israelis who are suffering, living in fear or have lost loved ones in 
this difficult time.

> Sincerely,

> Warren 
> Clark 
> Maureen Shea
> Executive 
> Director 
> Chair, Executive Committee
> Churches for Middle East 
> Peace                                        Churches for Middle East Peace

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> Contact Information
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> UCC News Director and Editor
> Proclamation, Identity, And Communication
> Office Of General Ministries
> 700 Prospect Ave
> Cleveland,Ohio 44115
> 216-736-2177
> brekkeg@ucc.org

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