LWF Council Warns
Unresolved Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Threatens
Global Peace
Press Release 17-2007
Churches Called to Join Ecumenical
Coalitions to End Occupation
LUND,
Sweden/GENEVA, 26 March 2007(LWI) - The
Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has
“affirmed that the core problem in the Middle East
is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which, if not
solved, is a threat to peace not only in the
Middle East but throughout the world.”
The
LWF governing body stated its position during its
approval of recommendations from its Program
Committee for International Affairs and Human
Rights at the end of the 20-27 March meeting in
Lund, Sweden. This year’s Council meeting
coincided with events to mark the 60th anniversary
of the Federation in the city where it was
established in 1947.
“We welcome the fact
that a Palestinian government of national unity
has been established, and stress the LWF Council’s
expectation that the new government will respect
all previous agreements concerning or relevant to
the search for peace in the region.”
“We
call on the international community to co-operate
with the new Palestinian government and to end the
international economic blockade in order to
restore the health, education and welfare
situation of the Palestinian people and the
infrastructure of the Territories,” stated the 26
March Council action.
The LWF governing
body called “upon the State of Israel to comply
with international humanitarian law and United
Nations’ resolutions concerning the occupation of
the Palestinian Territories.” It called for an
international conference to be convened to resolve
the long-standing issues between the parties, such
as the status of Jerusalem, the return of
refugees, settlements, borders and water
resources.
The Council noted the planned
ecumenical commemorations, under the leadership of
the heads of the local churches in Jerusalem in
June 2007 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary
of the occupation of the Palestinian Territories.
“We call for actions by the international
community to end the illegal occupation and for
the LWF member churches to join ecumenical
coalitions for that purpose, such as the World
Council of Churches’ initiated international week
of action to end the occupation 3-9 June 2007.”
“We welcome the initiative to create an
inter-faith Council of Religious Institutions in
the Holy Land, as a sign of shared commitment to
building mutual trust and understanding among the
faith communities and their peoples, and to call
for this Council of Religious Institutions in the
Holy Land to work to build peace among the two
nations and that it become a reference group for
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators in any future
negotiations.”
The LWF Council commended
to the LWF member churches "The Jerusalem
Declaration on Christian Zionism" issued by the
heads of churches in Jerusalem in August 2006.
“We express deep concern about the
continued emigration of Christians from Palestine
and the entire Middle East, and call on the LWF
member churches to pray on Maundy Thursday for
Christians in the Middle East and for their
continued presence and ministry in the region in
accordance with the call from the Fellowship of
Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC).
The Council reiterated the LWF’s continued
support to its member church—the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land—in its
struggle to be a witness for peace and justice in
the region through its educational, ecumenical and
interfaith activities.” (548 words)
* * *
An estimated 500 people including over 100
church leaders are attending this year's Council
meeting, church leadership consultation and the
LWF 60th anniversary celebrations. Also attending
are officials from LWF partner organizations,
invited guests, stewards, interpreters and
translators, LWF staff and co-opted staff,
accredited media and participants in the
three-year LWF international training program for
young communicators.
During the Council
meeting, the LWF Office for Communication Services
can be reached at mobile tel no. +46/76-276
1311.
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