Lutheran (EL
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Glory to the Holy Trinity!
Posted on 06/02/2010 9:49:25 AM PDT by lightman
Statement Regarding the Israeli Military Interception of Gaza Flotilla from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
On behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran World Federation, organizations that are deeply engaged with and committed to the Lutheran Christians and all persons living in Palestine and Israel, I express my deep sadness regarding events surrounding the flotilla seeking to deliver humanitarian goods to Gaza. We deeply regret the deaths and injuries that resulted when Israeli forces intercepted the boats. Our thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and the families of those killed or otherwise harmed during this incident. We note that this tragic incident occurred on the first day of the World Council of Churches’ World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel.
This incident raises many questions that must be answered. We therefore call for a full, international, and independent investigation into this matter.
While we condemn all violence in the resolution of political disputes, this incident raises a number of questions related to the just use of force. It is not clear that, in this incident, all alternatives were explored prior to the use of military force. One tenet of the just use of force is proportionality, a principle I raised during my meeting with the chief rabbis of the State of Israel during Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli incursion into Gaza which lasted from December 2008 to January 2009. This incident provides an example of how proportionality is an ongoing concern related to Israeli military action against civilians, both Palestinians and internationals.
The attempt to deliver humanitarian materials to Gaza via the flotilla highlights the ongoing blockade of Gaza with all its consequences for the 1.5 million people living there. Israel’s blockade must be fully lifted, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1860. While some humanitarian aid has been allowed to reach the people of Gaza, the economy, particularly the agricultural and fishing sectors, has been devastated. Basic goods including seeds and seedlings, plastic piping, irrigation supplies, fishing nets, engine spare parts, veterinary drugs and cement are restricted.
The World Health Organization has documented the serious deterioration in Gaza’s health system due to restrictions for patients and medical personnel attempting to travel into or out of Gaza. The welfare of the people of Gaza and the safety of Israelis will be served by opening the monitored border crossings in a secure manner for aid, trade and commerce.
This tragic event demonstrates the urgency of achieving a just peace. One role of religious leaders, including the churches, is to strengthen those voices working for peace, rather than yielding to the clamor of extremism, as we seek a just peace beneficial for all persons in the region.
We urge that this incident not interrupt the proximity talks now being conducted through the Obama administration. Instead, we expect that this incident will intensify on all sides the commitment to serious negotiations that will lead to a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America President, Lutheran World Federation
One would hope that ++Mark is including as those "otherwise harmed" the members of the Israeli Defense Forces who were ambushed and brutally beaten by the "humitarians".
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Glory to the Holy Trinity!
I’m ashamed to be an ELCA Lutheran today.
Apparently the ELCA plays as fast and loose with current facts as they do with Scripture. Not surprising.
I feel sorry for the little state of Israel - this is such a classic set-up job on them. Masterful manipulation of worldwide media, just like someone the was the lord of the Air would pull off.
Stay tough, Bibi.
About as non Christian as you can get.
>>One tenet of the just use of force is proportionality,<<
BS. Not when a country’s very survival is at stake. You hit and you hit hard.
I was too. Am currently with a CORE Church that will most likely go NCLC in a few months. This has been very hard for all of us “Old School” Lutherans as I like to call myself.
The man states, "The welfare of the people of Gaza and the safety of Israelis will be served by opening the monitored border crossings in a secure manner for aid, trade and commerce."
As they have for a long time now. As the IDF directed the captain of the ship to do, and offload at Ashdod. He refused. Israel stood their ground.
If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me ~
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~
The Nature Of Bruce ~
The Joshua Fund
The Jerusalem Connection
Christians United For Israel
Christian Friends of Israel
Jerusalem Watchman
"The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more significant than God, religion, and the prophets...."—Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Holocaust Chronicle ~
" ... It's time we recognized the nature of the conflict. It's total war and we are all involved. Nobody on our side is exempted because of age, gender, or handicap. The Islamofacists have stolen childhood from the world."—FReeper Retief
"Palestine is the wrong name for their State. It should be called Anarchy."—FReeper sgtbono2002
"Then let's wait and see what the Arabs do after they take Gaza. There's nothing like Arab reality to break up a Jewish fantasy."—FReeper Noachian
A student told his professor he was going to "Palestine" to "fight for freedom, peace and justice,"—Orwellian leftist code words that mean "murder Jews."
Do you have a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church near you?
Mark hanson and everyone one of his family members should be put on a terrorist watch list, for supporting terrorists.
Before I left it in September of 2005, I read columns from the Missioner from the church in Jerusalem railing against the Jews. It was the other reason why I took my son and left that cult.
773/380-2700 Bishop Hansons office Let them know that they have now provided material support for a known terrorist organization and an effort will be building to put him on a terrorist watch list.
As far as I can tell, these folks are enemies of Israel, the US and Western Civilization as a whole.
The muslim Turk “humanitarian” group that sponsored the flotilla, IHH, got its start financing and organizing jihad against the Bosnian Serbs in the 1990s. It’s been involved in the jihad in Chechnya, too, as well as in the Millennium plot to bomb the Los Angeles airport.
What they really are is humaniterrorists!!!!
According to Israelis sources, the medicines on the captured boat were all expired, and the rest of the humanitarian supplies were similarly of poor quality, if not unusable. It looks like the supplies were really a cover for less-than-humane activities.
The liberal protestant churches, among others, should check their facts before they make pronouncements about this and other matters.
And they should avoid joining in bashing the “designated” scapegoats of the New World Order—Serbia and Republika Srpska, Israel, and Arizona. I believe that our Lord calls us to stand with these outcasts, not to join in bashing them.
What about the weapons that were on board Bishop? Do you deeply regret that the Turks were illegally shipping arms to the Palis under the guise of humanitarian aid.
Are you equally sad about what kind of scrutiny WILL BE REQUIRED by any warring faction that allows humanitarian aid to be accepted?
Wouldn’t it be safer for the men under arms to let the Palis starve than to accept the aid, when the aid is in fact military materiel?
He may be saved, but he’s most assuredly an ass.
It sure does, Hanson, when one considers that the Israelis who were first to land on the ship were armed only with paint-ball guns, and were attacked with bats and knives. It was only when an armed relief force came to their aid that the shooting started.
Yes, there are questions about the 'just use' of force, especially when it comes from a supposed humanitarian effort. Hanson, you are not only a tool, but a fool.
How can these Obama lovin’, terror supporting ELCA even call themselves Christian? ELCA should be put on a terror watch list.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.