Proposed Episcopal Resolutions Blame Israel, U.S., Turn Blind Eye to Hamas,

IRD ^ | April 17, 2006 | Erik Nelson

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Two resolutions on the Israel/Palestine conflict were also offered in the Blue Book. Strangely, however, they seem to offer contradictory approaches to the peace process.

The first resolution, A011, would affirm a two-state solution to the conflict, seek an end to violence, and call for all parties to return to the negotiating table rather than resort to unilateral action. Strangely enough, however, the resolution also demands that Israel withdraw from all its West Bank settlements-which would appear to be a unilateral action. There is no specific reciprocal concession asked of the Palestinian Authority.

The second resolution, A012, is nothing but a list of unilateral actions that the Episcopal Church would have Israel take: removal of the security barrier between predominantly Jewish and Arab areas, return of sovereign control of Gaza's airspace, etc. The only demand which seems even remotely tied to the Palestinians is the resolution's vague call for the "eradication of the sin of anti-Semitism." The practitioners of this sin are not identified. Nor is it explained how this sin, amongst all others, might be "eradicated."

What is remarkable about these resolutions is the complete lack of any recognition of the new situation created after the Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections earlier this year. With the Palestinian Authority now headed by a group that refuses to recognize Israel's existence--indeed, that is sworn to Israel's destruction, and that has carried out terrorist attacks towards that end--it is hard to see where Israel will find a negotiating partner. It is astounding that such a development could go unmentioned in the proposed Episcopal resolutions. They simply repeat the insistence that Israel must negotiate with the Palestinian Authority, as if Hamas were only waiting for a few Israeli concessions in order to de-activate its terrorist bombs. The Executive Council wrapped up its work for the triennium in late February, a month after the Palestinian elections.

Also jarring is the request in resolution A012 for "assurance that no U.S. tax dollars are used to finance the [Israeli] Occupation [of the West Bank], directly or indirectly." This demand appears ironic in light of the current lobbying by Bishop Griswold and other mainline leaders for continued U.S. funding of the Palestinian Authority, despite its new Hamas leadership. There seems to be a double standard here.

The human rights advocacy of the Episcopal Church remains deeply flawed. As was demonstrated in our 2004 IRD study of Human Rights Advocacy in the Mainline Protestant Churches (2000-2003), there is a pattern of disproportionate and unrelenting focus of criticism on the United States and Israel. If these latest proposed resolutions for the Episcopal General Convention are any indication, the pattern is, unfortunately, unchanged.

Even significant developments like the Palestinian elections could not deflect the Episcopal Executive Council from its one-sided advocacy in the Middle East. While the denomination's leadership easily finds its voice to criticize Israel and the United States, it seems incapable of speaking out against many of the world's more repressive governments, such as Fidel Castro's dictatorship in Cuba. The Episcopal Church's human rights advocacy remains broken so long as it refuses to embrace all those around the world who deserve its solidarity and support.

Date: 4/17/2006

[Presbyterian Reporter]

There is a benefit to being a church denomination that is losing membership every year. The benefit is that the church leadership could care less if what they say or do is offensive.

[Presbyterian Reporter]

ping

[Flatus I. Maximus]

ECUSA ping

[Flavius Josephus]

If they pass this I'm OUTTA here! Oh, wait! I'm already out of there. I hope the Anglican Schismatics are ready with cash to buy the church buildings when the ship of the CECUSA (Communist Episcopal Church of the USA) finally founders. It still makes me sick.

[sionnsar]

Thanks to Presbyterian Reporter for the post.

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[Salem]

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