05588
Oct. 28, 2005

PC(USA) official denounces
Iranian’s anti-Israel remarks

Kirkpatrick says Ahmadinejad speech
‘pours fuel on the fires of hatred’

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE — The stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has denounced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent call for the eradication of Israel.

     In an Oct. 26 speech at a conference in Tehran, Admadinejad reportedly expressed a wish that Israel be destroyed, quoting the late Ayatollah Khomeini’s comment: “Israel must be wiped off the map.”

     In a statement issued on Oct. 28, Kirkpatrick reaffirmed the PC(USA)’s longstanding commitment to peace in the Middle East and secure borders for Israel and the Palestinian people and said he was "deeply appalled" by the Iranian leader’s remarks, which pour “fuel on the fires of hatred that continue to burn in the region.”

     The text of Kirkpatrick’s statement:

     As Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I feel compelled to respond to the statements attributed to Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in a speech at “The World Without Zionism” conference, held in Tehran on October 26, 2005.

     I am deeply appalled by his declaration that “Inshallah (God willing) the eradication of Israel will soon be realized through the continued wisdom of the Palestinian nation.” He went on to quote the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s words, “Israel must be wiped off the map.”

     For decades, General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have condemned the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the humiliation of Palestinians at the many checkpoints across the region and, more recently, the construction of the barrier known to many as “the Wall.” At the same time, General Assemblies have condemned the frequent violence perpetrated against Israelis by members of the Palestinian community.

     All of this has been at the service of our fervent desire for peace between Israelis and Arabs. We stand unequivocally for the security and freedom of the Nation of Israel and its people. We stand, equally fervently, for a state in which the Palestinian people can also live in security and freedom.

     Inflammatory language such as that attributed to President Ahmadinejad pours fuel on the fires of hatred that continue to burn in the region and does nothing but increase the mortal danger for all who live in the Middle East.