The Commission on Peace of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington

30 October 2001

The September 11th attack on our country makes more urgent the Churches' longstanding advocacy of ways to bring peace to the Israelis and Palestinians. The evil acts of that day oblige our government to reconsider our national and international obligations in order to combat terrorism more effectively. Our government's unwillingness over the years to enter the Middle East conflict with sufficient pressure to bring a measure of justice has been, in effect, justice denied. It should be no surprise to us that Arab countries have resented this reluctance of the United States to act.

Our appeal is that our government now become more involved in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. We commend the President's vision for the right of the Palestinians to their own statehood. The long and oppressive occupation of Palestinian land must end. This humiliating occupation, over thirty years of military control, has debilitated the economy and the livelihood of the West Bank and Gaza Strip populace and has brought the Palestinians to a level of extreme frustration. Coupled with this grievance is the existence and continuing expansion of the settlements. These movements, catalysts for violence, must cease and some of the enclaves must be disbanded.

When United Nation resolutions on settlements are ignored, when the United States does not use its economic and political power to achieve the changes it has advocated, it is no wonder that the Palestinians protest the denial of their rights and their independence. Once stones, now unfortunately bullets and bombs, each explosion of their anger brings a military response. The tragic casualty figures in the last year, approximately 600 Palestinians killed and 150 Israelis dead reveal who has the dominant power. We deplore the use of terrorism by the Palestinians as we do the retaliatory actions of the Israelis.

We wish to emphasize that long before the September 11th terrorist attack on the United States, the churches have made similar appeals to this one. Over the last year twenty heads of American denominations have denounced the unjust Israeli policies, as have the Catholic Conference of Bishops and many of the local leaders of churches in Washington DC.

We remain in support of the security of Israel as well as the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. Due to domestic pressures, past administrations have been unwilling to take those measures which could lead to a true peace in the Middle East. Our nation can no longer afford to be captive to such politics. Let us have courage and move forward to bring about peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.