Israel and Palestine

General Assembly Action

Resolution on Urging Sustainable Peace Between Israelis and Palestinians

That the 214th General Assembly (2002) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approve the following in relation to the current crisis between Israelis and Palestinians:

1. Urges all the parties involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to work toward a just, sustainable peace by

a. ending all forms of violence by Israelis and Palestinians alike;

b. implementing the Arab League proposal, essentially the same as United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, calling for full Arab recognition of Israel and Israel's withdrawal from the Occupied Territories;733 2002

c. an affirmation by Israel that it will work with Palestinians toward the establishment of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state with the same sovereign rights as those of the State of Israel;

d. establishing an international peacekeeping force to help provide security for all people as long as needed;

e. ending Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza;

f. striving for a negotiated agreement under U.N. supervision, supervision for a shared Jerusalem by the two peoples (Palestinians and Israelis) and three faiths (Jewish, Christian, Muslim); and

g. the commitment by Israel to address justly the issue of the right of return for Palestinian refugees.

2. Directs the Stated Clerk to send the above statement to the president of the United States, the secretary of state, the chairpersons of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Committee on International Relations, the secretary general of the United Nations, the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the secretary general of the Arab League, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., the World Council of Churches, the Middle East Council of Churches, the Vatican, and other interested parties as the Stated Clerk deems appropriate.

3. In regard to Presbyterians, the General Assembly

a. urges them to pray that all the people in that region who live under the tyranny of fear, suspicion, hatred, or despair, may find a just and lasting peace; and to join the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East;

b. encourages them to become better informed about the issues;

c. requests them, especially those in leadership positions, to rise to a higher level of advocacy for a just peace, through organizing ecumenically in congressional districts and statewide by participation in ecumenical efforts;

d. invites them to take part in the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel;

e. reminds them that they may contribute funds toward the relief of those who are suffering there through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance;

f. suggests that they note and make use of the following resources and contact information:

i. Presbyterian Church (USA) resources

1. PC(USA) website ( www.PC(USA).org ) and the link to "Middle East Crisis"

2. Presbyterian Middle East Office (ph: 888-728-7228 x5314)

3. Presbyterian Washington Office (ph: 202-543-1126; web site: www.PC(USA).org/washington

4. Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the link to "Crisis in the Middle East" (ph: 888-728-7228 x5779; http://www.PC(USA).org/peacemaking

5. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (ph: 888-728-7228 x5839; web site: www.PC(USA).org/pda and the link to "Middle East")

ii. Ecumenical Agencies

1. National Council of Churches (ph: 212-870-2511; web site: www.ncccusa.org

2. Churches for Middle East Peace (ph: 202-488-5613; web site: www.cmep.org

3. Church World Service and Witness Middle East Forum (ph: 301-384-3615;
www.loga.org/mideastforum/home.htm

4. Middle East Council of Churches
www.mecchurches.org

5. World Council of Churches
www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international
/palestine/index.html

4. Directs the Stated Clerk to send this statement to the presbyteries for transmittal to the congregations, and to post it on the website.