Since the distribution of the church leaders' letter to Congress asking for accountability regarding US military aid to Israel a number of groups have joined in support. Others have criticized. Here's a rundown that includes both.
Adam Horowitz wrote for Mondoweiss that the ‘Ecumenical deal’ crumbled as the Christian denominations pressed on US aid to Israel. Mondoweiss is a news website devoted to covering American foreign policy in the Middle East, chiefly from a progressive Jewish perspective.
‘Ecumenical deal’ crumbles as Christian denominations press on US aid to Israel
"Earlier this week the heads of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church and 12 other Christian denominations wrote a letter to members of Congress "urging Congress to conduct an investigation into possible human rights and weapon violations by the government of Israel." As Annie Robbins reported the response from American Jewish organizations was swift (the American Jewish Committee for one said it was "outraged") and now the Anti-Defamation League has come out swinging.
"Haaretz reports that the ADL has withdrawn from a national Jewish-Christian interfaith dialogue in protest over the letter. Abe Foxman explained, "The blatant lack of sensitivity by the Protestant dialogue partners we had been planning to meet with has seriously damaged the foundation for mutual respect.” He also called for other Jewish leaders to boycott the event as well." [Go to this link for the full article.]
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Kairos USA jumped in to provide links that allow everyone to contact Members of Congress in support of the church leaders' letter. Here's how to get to the Kairos links.
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The Friends Committee on National Legislation wrote in support of the church leaders' letter.
Here's a bit of Kate Gould's piece:
Unconditional US military aid fuels Israeli-Palestinian violence
Amidst another week of deadly Israeli-Palestinian violence, fifteen faith leaders representing U.S. churches and faith organizations have called on Congress to condition U.S. military aid to Israel upon Israel’s “compliance with applicable U.S. laws and policies.” These leaders--representing Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Orthodox, Quaker and other major Christian groups--agree that unconditional U.S. military assistance to Israel has contributed to “sustaining the conflict and undermining the long-term security interests of both Israelis and Palestinians.”
As a Quaker peace lobby that has advocated for Israeli-Palestinian peace for decades in Washington, the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is proud to be a partner in this effort. [Go to this link for the full story.]
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Ali Abunimah wrote for Electronic Intifada ...
Lobby takes gloves off in assault on Christian leaders who questioned US aid to Israel
Israel lobby groups are taking the gloves off, with an all out attack on Christian denominational leaders who earlier this month sent a mild letter to Congress asking for an investigation into whether Israel is using US military aid to abuse Palestinian human rights, in violation of US law.
Today, a coalition of pro-Israel Jewish groups pulled the plug on a planned long-standing “interfaith dialogue” meeting in retaliation for the Christian leaders’ temerity to question US policy of unconditional support for Israel.
This came as pro-Israel organizations threatened to use their muscle to get Congress to investigate “delegitimizers of Israel.” [Read the full article here.]
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Then Rabbi Alissa Wise and Rabbi Brant Rosen wrote in support of the Christian leaders in the Huffington Post. They are are the co-founders of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council. They called the Church leaders' letter "sensitively-worded and a faithful call..."
Rabbis Support Protestant Leaders' Call to End Unconditional Military Aid to Israel
Last week, a letter was sent to Congress by several prominent American Christian leaders that called on lawmakers to "make U.S. military aid to Israel contingent upon its government's compliance with applicable US laws and policies." While most wouldn't consider it unreasonable for our nation to insist that an aid recipient abide by U.S. laws, a number of Jewish organizations nonetheless chose to attack the letter publicly, all but labeling it anti-Semitic, and pulled out of a planned Christian-Jewish Roundtable. (...)
As fellow Jewish leaders, we are profoundly disappointed that some in our community have chosen to literally walk away from the table of dialogue. Actions such as these run directly counter to the spirit and mission of interfaith understanding. Indeed, true dialogue does not only occur in the areas in which both parties find agreement, but particularly in those difficult places where there is disagreement and divergence of opinion. [Please read the rabbis' full commentary here.]
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Friday, October 26, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Extremist settlers hurt the olive harvest again
The olive harvest season has been difficult this year. Mifta reports, "Last year, the cost of destroyed olives to the Palestinian economy had a price tag of $500,000. While most attacks take place even in the presence of Israeli forces, only one of the 162 complaints filed by an Israeli NGO Yesh Din since 2005 have led to indictment of a suspect."
Mifta is The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy.
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) reports "Violence Surrounds West Bank Olive Harvest."
From Mifta...Why are we here?
Date posted: October 17, 2012
By Melkam Lidet for MIFTAH
As Palestinian farmers are busy harvesting their olives, extremist Israeli setters seem to have been busy cutting down and destroying olive trees, stealing olives and harassing Palestinian farmers throughout the West Bank. Settler violence and vandalism is not new to most Palestinians who live close to settlements, but the attack on olives is seen as more than the physical by Palestinians. They see it as an attack on Palestinian identity, an attempt to cut them off from their connection to the land as most Palestinians tend to olive trees that were passed down to them from generations. The UN estimates that 7,500 olive trees were damaged by settlers between January and mid-October 2012. Last year, the cost of destroyed olives to the Palestinian economy had a price tag of $500,000. While most attacks take place even in the presence of Israeli forces, only one of the 162 complaints filed by an Israeli NGO Yesh Din since 2005 have led to indictment of a suspect. [Read the full Viewpoint piece at this link]
Violence Surrounds West Bank Olive Harvest
From CMEP's report: "
According to Rabbis for Human Rights, “Every year at this time Palestinian farmers from a number of villages across the West Bank receive threats to their safety, are denied access to their land or have their olives stolen, their trees poisoned, or even cut down altogether.” Last year, The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that over 2,500 olive trees were destroyed in September 2011, and 7,500 throughout 2011.
"There were several attacks believed to be carried out by settlers during this first week of the harvest. Human rights groups are monitoring olive groves near Israeli settlements and documenting attacks by settlers. So far, according to B’Tselem:
"Between October 7th and 10th, 2012, with the start of the West Bank's annual olive harvest, B'Tselem has documented five cases of injury to Palestinian farmers and their olive trees in the Ramallah and Nablus regions. In two incidents, settlers attacked farmers picking olives and damaged their yields. In three other cases, olive trees were discovered damaged or with the olives stolen, apparently by settlers."
[Read the full CMEP report with lots more links.]
--- --- ---
Mifta is The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy.
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) reports "Violence Surrounds West Bank Olive Harvest."
From Mifta...Why are we here?
Date posted: October 17, 2012
By Melkam Lidet for MIFTAH
As Palestinian farmers are busy harvesting their olives, extremist Israeli setters seem to have been busy cutting down and destroying olive trees, stealing olives and harassing Palestinian farmers throughout the West Bank. Settler violence and vandalism is not new to most Palestinians who live close to settlements, but the attack on olives is seen as more than the physical by Palestinians. They see it as an attack on Palestinian identity, an attempt to cut them off from their connection to the land as most Palestinians tend to olive trees that were passed down to them from generations. The UN estimates that 7,500 olive trees were damaged by settlers between January and mid-October 2012. Last year, the cost of destroyed olives to the Palestinian economy had a price tag of $500,000. While most attacks take place even in the presence of Israeli forces, only one of the 162 complaints filed by an Israeli NGO Yesh Din since 2005 have led to indictment of a suspect. [Read the full Viewpoint piece at this link]
Violence Surrounds West Bank Olive Harvest
From CMEP's report: "
According to Rabbis for Human Rights, “Every year at this time Palestinian farmers from a number of villages across the West Bank receive threats to their safety, are denied access to their land or have their olives stolen, their trees poisoned, or even cut down altogether.” Last year, The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that over 2,500 olive trees were destroyed in September 2011, and 7,500 throughout 2011.
"There were several attacks believed to be carried out by settlers during this first week of the harvest. Human rights groups are monitoring olive groves near Israeli settlements and documenting attacks by settlers. So far, according to B’Tselem:
"Between October 7th and 10th, 2012, with the start of the West Bank's annual olive harvest, B'Tselem has documented five cases of injury to Palestinian farmers and their olive trees in the Ramallah and Nablus regions. In two incidents, settlers attacked farmers picking olives and damaged their yields. In three other cases, olive trees were discovered damaged or with the olives stolen, apparently by settlers."
[Read the full CMEP report with lots more links.]
--- --- ---
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receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas
Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
Saturday, October 6, 2012
ELCA, others call for investigation of military aid to Israel
Friends,
The ELCA and other churches have called for investigation of military aid to Israel, Read the letter here. The churches' action is detailed in the news release below.
The most recent 2011 State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices covering Israel and the Occupied Territories details widespread Israeli human rights violations committed against Palestinian civilians, many of which involve the misuse of U.S.-supplied weapons.
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
October 5, 2012
ELCA, other churches call for investigation of military aid to Israel
12-64-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Concerned about the deteriorating conditions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and the commitment for a just peace, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and other U.S. Christian leaders are urging Congress to conduct an investigation into possible human rights and weapon violations by the government of Israel.
In an Oct. 5 letter to Congress, the religious leaders cited possible violations by Israel of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, which respectively excludes assistance to any country that engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations and limits the use of U.S. weapons to "internal security" or "legitimate self-defense."
The leaders also urged Congress "to undertake careful scrutiny to
ensure that our aid is not supporting actions by the government of Israel that undermine prospects for peace. We urge Congress to hold hearings to examine Israel's compliance, and we request regular reporting on compliance and the withholding of military aid for non-compliance."
U.S. churches and religious organizations have been deeply involved in the pursuit of peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. The religious leaders shared in their letter that they have witnessed the pain and suffering of Israelis as a result of Palestinian actions and of Palestinians as a result of Israeli actions.
"When as Lutherans we say that all the baptized will strive for
justice and peace in all the earth, it means that we will be immersed in complex issues. While we do not all agree on the best way to establish justice and bring peace, we will be involved in lively, respectful, passionate conversations," said Hanson.
In their letter, the U.S. Christian leaders were clear in their
recognition that Israel faces real security threats and that it has
both "a right and a duty to protect both the state and its citizens," but the "measures that it uses to protect itself and its citizens, as in the case with any other nation, must conform to international humanitarian and human rights law."
The leaders further said it is unfortunate that "unconditional U.S.
military assistance to Israel has contributed to (the) deterioration,
sustaining the conflict and undermining the long-term security interests of both Israelis and Palestinians. This is made clear in the most recent 2011 State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices covering Israel and the Occupied Territories, which details widespread Israeli human rights violations committed against Palestinian civilians, many of which involve the misuse of U.S.-supplied weapons."
Examples of human rights violence related to U.S. military support were included as an annex to the letter and, in addition to specific rights violations, the Christian leaders expressed their concern that Israel continues to expand its settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, claiming territory "that under international law and U.S. policy should belong to a future Palestinian state."
"From Palestinian Lutherans, I hear discouragement about the lack of progress and questions about where the voice is of American Christians," said Hanson. "Our letter seeks to be a partial answer to such questions, that we are clear in our resolve to continue to work for a just and lasting solution for Israelis and Palestinians."
The U.S. Christian leaders wrote that it is "our moral responsibility to question the continuation of unconditional U.S. financial assistance to the government of Israel. Realizing a just and lasting peace will require this accountability, as continued U.S. military assistance to Israel -- offered without conditions or accountability -- will only serve to sustain the status quo and Israel's military occupation of the Palestinian territories."
They requested that Congress hold Israel accountable to these
standards by "making the disbursement of U.S. military assistance to Israel contingent on the Israeli government's compliance with applicable U.S. laws and policies. As Israel is the single largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid since World War II, it is especially critical for Israel to comply with the specific U.S. laws that regulate the use of U.S.-supplied weapons. We also encourage Congress to support inclusive, comprehensive and robust regional diplomacy to secure a just and lasting peace that will benefit Israelis, Palestinians, and all the peoples of the region and the world."
Through an action, the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly expressed concern over continued U.S. military aid to Israel.
--
This news release is available online at the ELCA's news website.
Information is also at the ELCA's Peace Not Walls blog.
----
The ELCA and other churches have called for investigation of military aid to Israel, Read the letter here. The churches' action is detailed in the news release below.
The most recent 2011 State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices covering Israel and the Occupied Territories details widespread Israeli human rights violations committed against Palestinian civilians, many of which involve the misuse of U.S.-supplied weapons.
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
October 5, 2012
ELCA, other churches call for investigation of military aid to Israel
12-64-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Concerned about the deteriorating conditions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and the commitment for a just peace, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and other U.S. Christian leaders are urging Congress to conduct an investigation into possible human rights and weapon violations by the government of Israel.
In an Oct. 5 letter to Congress, the religious leaders cited possible violations by Israel of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, which respectively excludes assistance to any country that engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations and limits the use of U.S. weapons to "internal security" or "legitimate self-defense."
The leaders also urged Congress "to undertake careful scrutiny to
ensure that our aid is not supporting actions by the government of Israel that undermine prospects for peace. We urge Congress to hold hearings to examine Israel's compliance, and we request regular reporting on compliance and the withholding of military aid for non-compliance."
U.S. churches and religious organizations have been deeply involved in the pursuit of peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. The religious leaders shared in their letter that they have witnessed the pain and suffering of Israelis as a result of Palestinian actions and of Palestinians as a result of Israeli actions.
"When as Lutherans we say that all the baptized will strive for
justice and peace in all the earth, it means that we will be immersed in complex issues. While we do not all agree on the best way to establish justice and bring peace, we will be involved in lively, respectful, passionate conversations," said Hanson.
In their letter, the U.S. Christian leaders were clear in their
recognition that Israel faces real security threats and that it has
both "a right and a duty to protect both the state and its citizens," but the "measures that it uses to protect itself and its citizens, as in the case with any other nation, must conform to international humanitarian and human rights law."
The leaders further said it is unfortunate that "unconditional U.S.
military assistance to Israel has contributed to (the) deterioration,
sustaining the conflict and undermining the long-term security interests of both Israelis and Palestinians. This is made clear in the most recent 2011 State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices covering Israel and the Occupied Territories, which details widespread Israeli human rights violations committed against Palestinian civilians, many of which involve the misuse of U.S.-supplied weapons."
Examples of human rights violence related to U.S. military support were included as an annex to the letter and, in addition to specific rights violations, the Christian leaders expressed their concern that Israel continues to expand its settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, claiming territory "that under international law and U.S. policy should belong to a future Palestinian state."
"From Palestinian Lutherans, I hear discouragement about the lack of progress and questions about where the voice is of American Christians," said Hanson. "Our letter seeks to be a partial answer to such questions, that we are clear in our resolve to continue to work for a just and lasting solution for Israelis and Palestinians."
The U.S. Christian leaders wrote that it is "our moral responsibility to question the continuation of unconditional U.S. financial assistance to the government of Israel. Realizing a just and lasting peace will require this accountability, as continued U.S. military assistance to Israel -- offered without conditions or accountability -- will only serve to sustain the status quo and Israel's military occupation of the Palestinian territories."
They requested that Congress hold Israel accountable to these
standards by "making the disbursement of U.S. military assistance to Israel contingent on the Israeli government's compliance with applicable U.S. laws and policies. As Israel is the single largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid since World War II, it is especially critical for Israel to comply with the specific U.S. laws that regulate the use of U.S.-supplied weapons. We also encourage Congress to support inclusive, comprehensive and robust regional diplomacy to secure a just and lasting peace that will benefit Israelis, Palestinians, and all the peoples of the region and the world."
Through an action, the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly expressed concern over continued U.S. military aid to Israel.
--
This news release is available online at the ELCA's news website.
Information is also at the ELCA's Peace Not Walls blog.
----
To
receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas
Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
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