05481
Sept. 14, 2005   

Letter lauds Israelis for Gaza pullout 

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE —The top three leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have sent a letter to Israeli authorities, praising them for the removal of all settlements in Gaza and four in the West Bank.

     The letter, dated Sept. 13, was signed by Rick Ufford-Chase, moderator of the 216th General Assembly, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly, and John Detterick, executive director of the General Assembly Council. It was addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, President Moshe Katsav and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert.

     The three PC(USA) leaders said the denomination “is encouraged” by the Israeli government’s decision not to expand the Maale Adumim settlement between the Biblical cities of Bethany and Jerusalem.

     They called the Israeli actions “bold, important steps” that “present a clear moment of hope for the region.”

     They said they realize the Gaza pullout caused great pain to many Israeli settlers, and said the PC(USA) is praying “that these wounds will be healed.”

     They said the denomination will continue to push for the cessation of actions by both Israelis and Palestinians “that violate human rights and impede peace,” including terrorist attacks, settlement expansions, construction of the “separation barrier,” and home demolitions.

     “Our deepest hope,” they concluded, “remains for justice, peace, and security for all Israelis and Palestinians.”

     The text:

Sept. 13, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
President Moshe Katsav
Mayor Ehud Olmert

     Grace and peace to you.

     On behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), we take this opportunity to commend you for recent actions to remove all of the settlements in Gaza and four settlements in the West Bank. We are also encouraged by your decision not to expand the Maale Adumim settlement with an additional 3,500 units. These are bold, important steps in the direction of compliance with international law and a peaceful solution to the conflict. They present a clear moment of hope for the region.

     We are thankful that the evacuation of settlers occurred without extreme violence or loss of life. Nevertheless, we recognize the pain many Israelis felt as citizens were removed, some against their will, from their homes and communities. We pray that these wounds will be healed, and that those who have been uprooted may know welcome and hospitality, and soon feel at home in their new surroundings.

     We remain concerned about the future of the Gaza Strip. With severe economic, political, and social challenges facing it, Gaza needs support from all quarters to succeed as a good home for its residents and a good neighbor to Israel and the world. Israel’s role, remaining in control of Gaza’s borders, needs to be worked out through negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. We encourage you to work toward Gaza’s success by fulfilling your commitment to a “safe passage” between Gaza and the West Bank, removing export impediments on Palestinian goods, and enabling construction of a seaport and rehabilitation of the airport.

     We continue to call on both the state of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to cease actions that violate human rights and impede peace. Continuing terrorism, settlement expansion, construction of the Separation Barrier, and home demolitions indicate the continued need for the hard work of peacemaking.

     We are hopeful that the Gaza disengagement reflects the commitment of a courageous leadership willing to make difficult decisions on behalf of peace and justice throughout the region.

     We believe that God has called us to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our Creator. In this region, which holds so many special places for us, our deepest hope remains for justice, peace, and security for all Israelis and Palestinians.

     In all these things, we give glory to God.

Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the 216th General Assembly
Cliff Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
John Detterick, Executive Director of the General Assembly Council