The Anglican Consultative Council 2005 Resolution, Peace and Justice Network: Palestine - Israel Conflict
I have been saddened by much of the response to the debate and resolution on the Palestinian / Israeli conflict at the recent meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), especially among Jewish representatives in Britain. The tone of these responses does little to acknowledge the responsible nature of the debate, and the depth of sadness felt by all members of the Council as they heard of the tragedy of the situation.
The Anglican Peace and Justice Network is a responsible Network of the Anglican Communion, representing 23 of the 38 Provinces of the church world-wide. It met in Jerusalem last September as guests of local Christians primarily to hear at first hand the experiences of the Holy Land. As well as listening to the Christian community at length the group met and heard from 'both Israeli and Palestinian voices for a just resolution to the current conflict', though most voices were Palestinian. The opening section (see below) of the report sets this local context well.
Anglicans make a clear distinction between Jewish / Christian dialogue which they value greatly, and the current policies of the Israeli government. It was these latter policies which were the subject of the debate and subsequent resolution at the ACC. Concern about these current government policies is not confined to Anglicans.
There has been much comment, and not a little misunderstanding, about what the resolution said about investments. It did not call for dis-investment in Israel. Instead, it commended the Episcopal Church (USA) for resolving to take appropriate action 'where it finds that its corporate investments support the occupation of Palestinian lands or violence against innocent Israelis' and encourages others to do likewise within the framework of their ethical investment strategies. It further 'encouraged strategies that support the infrastructure of a future Palestinian State', which I understand is Israeli government policy also.
Jewish-Christian relations, especially within Britain, are much valued by Anglicans, who have always been to the forefront of these dialogues, both national and local. At their best, they are characterised by a willingness to listen to each other and to engage with the context of each. No doubt the ongoing violence, death and destruction from which both Israelis and Palestinians suffer, has been discussed on many occasions, as a shared understanding of the complexities of the situation emerges.
I pray for the ongoing work of such contacts, as they continue to carry both Jews and Christians forward into a shared future where recrimination and mutual vilification are things of the past.
APJN - The Local Context of the Meeting
2005 marks the Anglican Peace and Justice Network's 20th anniversary and its meeting in Jerusalem in September 2004 brings it full circle to its first full meeting which also took place in the City of Peace in 1985. Invited by the Right Reverend Riah Hanna Abu El-Assal, APJN convened 23 Provinces of the Anglican Communion under the leadership of Dr. Jenny Te Paa of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, and was graciously hosted by Bishop Riah and the diocese at St. George's College. During the course of the meeting, the group traveled through the West Bank, the Jordan Valley, the Galilee area, Nazareth and Israel's central valley. The group requested and received permission to visit Gaza, but because of delays and stalling on the part of the Israeli army, they were not able to enter and support the local Christian community there.
At the outset, we salute Bishop Riah and his colleagues the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. They reminded the world in a statement released April 2, 2005 that "In contrast to 10 years ago our community now represents less than 2% of the population and continues to decrease at an alarming rate. This is largely due to emigration. Many Palestinian Christians are leaving as a result of the ongoing conflict. We are writing to you as Palestinian Christian leaders concerned for the dramatic situation of the Christians in the land of the Holy One. The Israeli illegal occupation has made it impossible for Christians, indeed for the whole Palestinian people of whom we are an integral part, to live with dignity, freedom and security. Palestinian Christians like all Palestinians want to live in peace and justice. We yearn for freedom and life abundant." This message brings home the urgency for the international community, including the Anglican Communion, to address the conflict we encountered.
APJN was both nurtured and shaken during its visit, the former by the warmth of the people of the diocese (virtually all of them Palestinian), and the latter by the conditions of Occupation under which most Palestinians live. Sitting in the beauty and tranquility on the hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee where Jesus preached, listening and reflecting on moving readings from Scripture led by Canon Naim Ateek, contrasted sharply to the high tension of being held in the dark of night at an Israeli checkpoint by cocky young soldiers brandishing their weapons. The comfort of St. Margaret's guest house in Nazareth and the hospitality of congregations in Shefa Amr and Raineh where worship, music, fellowship and food filled the hearts of the APJN participants, again contrasted with the sight in Hebron of the Star of David painted on the shops of Palestinian businesses. Placed there by right wing settlers, they praise the massacre of several dozen Muslim worshippers a decade earlier as an act of heroism.
APJN participants were grateful to hear and meet both Israeli and Palestinian voices for a just resolution to the current conflict. Knowing that people of good will exist on both sides of the conflict is the surest sign of hope that peace may prevail, that Palestinians will rightfully obtain a viable and sovereign state, and that Israelis will realize security and both sides will live in cooperation and with mutual respect. It was greatly hoped during the last APJN meeting in New Zealand in 2001 that by this meeting, there would be a viable, sovereign and independent state of Palestine based on the authority of United Nations resolutions 242 and 338. In this meeting however, it was realized that there have been no significant positive steps towards the creation of the state of Palestine. On the contrary, the state of Israel has systematically and deliberately oppressed and dehumanized the people of Palestine as shown by:
• The construction of the 'security' wall as referred to by the Israeli government but in reality is an apartheid/ segregation wall judging from its effects on the lives of the Palestinian people, built on Palestinian land and ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice.
• The ongoing illegal establishment of exclusively Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. These settlements (actually towns) continue to marginalize the people of Palestine and gravely reduce the possibility of a viable state of Palestine through appropriation of land and critical resources and violate international law (4th Geneva Conventions).
- The construction of a steadily expanding web of bypass roads to which access is denied to non-Israeli Palestinians. These roads are constructed to connect the settlements with Israel, while cutting off communication/ access between Palestinian villages in the vicinity.
The three-part strategy of the wall, the settlements and the by-pass roads have the combined effect of minimizing Palestinian lands, resources and general cohesion. The emerging reality makes it impossible or difficult to conclude other than that the Israeli government seeks to push the Palestinians into isolated cantons. Credibility must be given to observations by journalists and other international visitors, including members of APJN, that the situation bears a dismaying resemblance to the Bantustans of South Africa.
We recognize that the Israeli people have endured attacks and suicide bombings causing great suffering, loss and agony, and that the fear of further suicide bombings continues. We also recognize and lament the historical context of the experience of persecution and genocide by the Jewish people. However, the extent to which the Israeli government has gone in annexing Palestinian land and pushing the Palestinians into cantons and denying this people both dignity and self-determination is unjustifiable. If Israel continues with its actions in the name of security (as is often argued) then their hope for life without fear is diminished as the Palestinian people will continue in their struggle for nationhood.
We quote Bishop Riah and his colleagues: "We believe that the churches can and must do more to recognize their duty towards the Holy Land and act together to sensitize their governments, their people and the international community. Our communities ask your help so that justice will prevail and so that Palestinian Christians will flourish in the Holy Land and be strengthened to carry out our mission in the power of the Resurrection. With St. Paul we affirm: "That if one member suffers all suffer with it. If one member is honored all rejoice together with it. -I Cor. 12:26"
A pdf version of the whole document can be found here:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/APJN_Jersualem.pdf