Presiding Bishop Hanson of the ELCA has sent this letter to President Bush with a copy to Secretary Powell. The letter from Jerusalem Christian leaders that he enclosed with this letter follows:

April 2, 2002

President George W Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

I serve as the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the fourth largest Protestant church in this country.

On this Tuesday after Easter I write urging you and Secretary Powell to do everything within your power to bring about a cease-fire in the Middle East between Israelis and Palestinians and then work for sustained peace with justice there. As one step toward breaking the cycle of violence and solidifying this cease-fire, I call on the U.S. government to work with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to establish an international presence in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

The events of these last days and weeks make my heart heavy with sorrow: acts of violence followed by retaliation followed by more violence and more retaliation. And in all of these, innocent people are killed and injured.

Today I received a copy of the enclosed appeal from all eleven patriarchs and heads of the Christian churches in Jerusalem, urging you to help stop the violence. With this appeal came the news that, in addition to Israeli tanks in Bethlehem's Nativity Square, tanks have destroyed the first floor entrance of the home of our Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem, the Revd Mitri Raheb, and have damaged our Christmas Lutheran Church, which is nearby. I ask you to remind the parties to this conflict of their international obligations with regard to humanitarian law and human rights standards.

I know you and Secretary Powell to be men of faith. I ask you now to be men of peace, especially concerning the Middle East.

Sincerely,

The Revd Mark S Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

cc: Secretary Colin Powell

Enclosed - Statement from Jerusalem Christian leaders

Urgent appeal from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem to President Bush

Tuesday April 2, 2002

Mr. President,

We appeal to you to stop immediately the inhuman tragedy that is taking place in this Holy Land in our Palestinian towns and villages. Only this morning the Israeli tanks have reached the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the City of Lord Jesus Christ.

There is wanton indiscriminate killings. Very many people are deprived of water, electricity, food supplies and basic medical needs. Many of our religious institutions have been invaded and damaged.

We call upon your Christian conscience because we know you are the only one who can stop this tragedy immediately.

We in return will play our part in mediating for the peace and security of all the people in this land, both Israeli and Palestinian.

Signed

The Patriarchs, Archbishops and Heads of all the Christian Churches in Jerusalem