14.05.2004
ELCA Governing Body Urges US President Bush to Reconsider Support for Israel’s Actions
The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed “grave concern regarding recent unilateral initiatives” being considered by the State of Israel, and called on United States’ President George W. Bush to reconsider his recent support of Israel’s planned actions.At its April 17-18 meeting, the council “strongly affirmed” the principle of a negotiated Middle East peace settlement “within the context of international support” as outlined in the Road Map for Peace, developed in 2003 by the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia.
In a separate but related action, the council affirmed a statement of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Executive Committee titled “Break Down the Walls,” which called for an end to both the construction of the West Bank wall and to the creation and support of settlements in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. The February statement criticized the wall as an obstacle to Middle East peace.
On April 14, President Bush announced changes in US policy on the Middle East. While the president said he supported Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, he also said he supported Israel’s desire to keep some Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and implied support for Israel’s construction of a security or separation wall in the West Bank.
The Church Council is the ELCA’s board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies, held every two years. The ELCA has around 5 million members, and joined the LWF in 1988. Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson is LWF president. (278 words)
(ELCA News Service)
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