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ENDING THE OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE BY ISRAEL
Resolution from the Church World Service Board of Directors
The Church World Service Board of Directors, meeting in Chicago, Illinois, October 28-29, 2003, reiterates its long-standing support of security for Israel and Palestine as well as its commitment to peace with justice for all people in the Middle East.
The Board of Directors has heard the plea from the Middle East Council of Churches and joins in solidarity with all the people of the Middle East. “The cry of the Palestinians is for the occupation of their land to cease, for free space and air in which to realize their own human dignity and search for political solutions, for a political entity of their own, and for a capital – Jerusalem – that can symbolize their participation in nation building, their membership in the family of nations.” (The Middle East Council of Churches in a letter dated October 23, 2003.) The Board has heard and has supported as well earlier calls from Palestinian church leadership for an open, shared Jerusalem where free access to holy places and freedom of worship are assured for people of all faiths.
The Board deplores the continued occupation of Palestine by Israel. The repeated invasions by Israeli tanks and troops into Palestinian villages and the construction of the wall in the West Bank undermine the possibility for peace and common security between Israel and Palestine. The demolition of homes; attacks on civilians; the loss of land, olive groves, and water supplies; and the separation of family members offend basic principles of justice and violate fundamental assumptions about the dignity of all people.
The Board condemns the deliberate disregard for civilian casualties by Israeli military offensives and the targeting of civilian populations by bombing campaigns carried out by Palestinians.
The Board is gravely concerned about the tragic loss of life on both sides and is distressed by the construction of the Separation Wall on Palestinian land by Israeli government.
Security for Palestine and Israel can be achieved only by ending the occupation and by establishing an independent sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel and the West Bank in Gaza, in accordance with all relevant UN resolutions and international law.
Therefore, the Board:
- Calls for the deployment of an international protection force in the Palestinian territories until Israel ends its occupation.
- Urges the United States Government to condition its military and economic aid to Israel – aid that helps to fund the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories – upon Israel’s full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, requiring withdrawal.
- Urges the United States Government to support the United Nations’ enforcement of Security Council resolutions relevant to Palestine.
- Calls on the member communions of Church World Service to join with the Middle East Council of Churches imploring that “…all those who love peace to pray fervently for it, and to labor hard in a manner consistent with their prayers. All people of faith in the Middle East are confident that, in the mercies of God, the work of his faithful servants will bear fruit. What is needed is…resolve and commitment to see the task done.”
- Calls on member communions to pray for the Christians of the Holy Land, recognizing their continuing decline in numbers and presence and supporting their churches and congregations.
- Calls on member communions to oppose the construction of the Wall and to express opposition in words and actions.
- Calls on member communions to convey the concerns in this resolution to their members of Congress and Senators.
Documents for Policy Reference:
The NCCCUSA Middle East Policy Statement, November 1980
“"City of Holiness and Hope: A Message on Jerusalem,” November
1996
CWS Board of Directors Resolution on Iraq, March 2003
Approved by the CWSW/CWS Executive Committee
November 17, 2003