We call
upon the leaders of the two warring parties to reflect not only the legitimate
hopes and fears of their peoples but also to envisage a time of peace
and reconciliation, when their two people can live side by side, each
within its own secure borders.
We urge combatants on all sides of the conflict to recognize their ultimate allegiance to the highest values of their faith traditions.
We believe that a complete Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza is essential for a resolution of the conflict.
We believe that Palestinian authorities must do everything within their power to bring an end to suicide bombings.
We believe that the creation of a viable state of Palestine is the best hope for a peaceful future for Israel secure within internationally recognized borders.
Rev. Joseph Reed, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada
This land that has become a battleground is nevertheless the Holy Land, a place sacred to three great monotheistic faiths. Both its peoples have the right to live in security and harmony, in mutual respect and recognition. They also have a need to be governed wisely, in order to bring irrational extremism and radical factions under control and to diminish the murderous acts of violence.
We…favour a return to negotiations on the basis of United Nations resolutions as well as the Madrid and Oslo accords that held out so much hope for peace.
Jacques Berthelet, C.S.V.
Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil
President, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
We stand with the Palestinian people in their struggle for justice because that is God’s call to us. In doing so, we do not stand against our sisters and brothers in Israel, who share with us the covenant of Abraham, the liberation that God worked through Moses, Aaron and Miriam, and the promise of a peaceable kingdom. Indeed, together with them, we stand against a world driven by hate, fear, and violence.
We do not choose which of God’s people we will love; we choose the God who loves. I believe that the God who loves, who is revealed in Jesus Christ, requires us to speak truth to power, and to advocate just solutions that will bring lasting peace. I invite you to bring your love, your work, and your prayers to the churches where you gather, and to the world in which you serve.
Archbishop Michael Peers, April 5, 2002
Primate of The Anglican Church of Canada
An immediate common effort is required to break through the stagnation of the international community and to encourage action that
corresponds to words. More than ever, we must hear and respond to the cries of the churches and bring them to the urgent attention of Christians, our communities, our media and our governments.
Our united message is clearly stated by the WCC Executive and Central Committees: The illegal occupation of Palestine must come to an end. It is at the root of the violence. Unless this is addressed, there can be little hope for a just and lasting peace.
Rev. Dwain Epps
Director, Commission of the Churches on International Affairs for the World Council of Churches in a March 15 letter to WCC member churches, regional and national councils of churches and ecumenical partner organizations.
Frankly, I don’t think there is a man-made solution to the violence. But, if there is one, it needs to begin with truth. Pretending will only lead to more chaos. Treating [the Jews] 5,000-year-old birthright backed by overwhelming historical and archaeological evidence equally with illegitimate claims, wishes and wants give diplomacy and peacekeeping a bad name.
Joseph Farah, an Arab-American journalist writing for the Internet-based conservative paper, WorldNetDaily http://wnd.com.
Please pray for the innocent people on both sides of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. We need to pray that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat can bring themselves to take the steps that will lower the temperature of the hostilities.
Raymond L. Schultz, National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the Canadian Council of Churches have not released official public statements at this time.
To read this issue's feature on Israel click here
