GA06078

Faith "that does not surrender power"

Speaker at GA dinner has blunt assessment of Israeli/Palestinian conflict

By Toya Richards Hill

BIRMINGHAM, June 18 — The Israeli/Palestinian conflict "is worse than apartheid," said the Rev. Donald Wagner, director for the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at North Park University in Chicago, during a General Assembly dinner Sunday night.

"It is time now that we start using the word apartheid," Wagner told attendees at the National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus (NMEPC) dinner. "In fact, it is worse than apartheid."

Wagner, a GA commissioner, was the speaker at the caucus' annual dinner. This year's event also honored Amal Halaby Marks, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s associate for Middle Eastern Ministries in the USA from 1993 to 2005.

Marks, who helped create the Middle Eastern caucus, was recognized for her comprehensive work as an advocate of Middle Eastern issues, especially the empowerment of Middle Eastern women.

Though Marks was unable to attend the dinner, her sister, Salam Lobos, accepted the Fahed Abu-Akel Award on her behalf.

"She put the Middle East on the map of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)," said Aida Faris, NMEPC vice chair.

Wagner, too, has a full history of working for Middle Eastern issues, and was a co-founder of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding.

He talked to the group about the theological and political framework of society at present, and urged them to be mindful of the globalized "empire" that exists.

"We are called to stand against it," he said of an "empire" that uses such things as weapons and the international media for its gain.

Wagner told the group he had just returned from a trip to the Middle East, and that the Israeli occupation is now "the worst that I have seen."

"Yes, it is apartheid," he said. "We have to unmask the face of the empire."

Wagner said the phased, selected divestment process the denomination began in 2004 has "touched a nerve. We are touching an empire, both in the U.S. and in the Middle East. We need to hold the course now on divestment."

He said what the church is doing is not unlike what Jesus himself did.

"Jesus' whole ministry was under empire," Wagner said. He called for non-violence, but also faith "that does not surrender power."

"We need to rally together and close ranks," he said. "The gospel of Jesus Christ gives me a place to stand."

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