Abrahamic Faith Leaders Call for Resumed Mid East Peace Negotiations
National leaders and heads of 28 “Abrahamic faith” organizations urged President Bush to continue peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel
National leaders and heads of 28 “Abrahamic faith” organizations urged President Bush to continue peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel, during a morning press conference in Washington D.C., Thursday, January 13, 2005. Under the banner National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace (NLIP) in the Middle East, the heads of Christian Jewish and Muslim groups called on the government to actively bring peace to the Holy Land by working with the Israeli government and the new Palestinian Authority.
“For the sake of Israelis and Palestinians — for the sake of peace in the region and worldwide — negotiations must be restarted, the cycle of violence halted and progress resumed toward the goal of a viable, independent, democratic Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel with peace and security for both peoples. Continuing conflict is jeopardizing the prospect of a two-state solution and providing fuel for terrorism,” the NLIP’s public statement to the President reads.
“We believe U.S. leadership to achieve Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace will reduce support for terrorism, provide incentive in the region for democratic reform, economic development and arms control, and offer a powerful precedent for resolution of the conflict. Majorities of Israelis and Palestinians desperately want the violence to end, not only because of the terrible toll on human life, but also because it is clear that peace with justice — that is, real security for Israelis and an end of occupation for Palestinians — can only be achieved by negotiations. There are hopeful signs that Lebanon and Syria also recognize the urgency of resuming negotiations,” it continues.
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“Israelis and Palestinians and Arab states need America’s help. Determined U.S. leadership for peace is urgently needed now.”
According to the Presbyterian News Service (PNS) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), whose stated clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick took part in the conference, the appeal offered four specific suggestions:
• “Appoint a full-time special presidential envoy, in coordination with the European Union, the Russian Federation and the U.N. Secretary General, to press ahead for full implementation of the Road Map to Peace;
• Negotiate a timetable for specific, simultaneous steps to be taken by the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government, with effective and highly visible monitoring to assure implementation by both sides;
• Mobilize increased international economic aid that is heavily monitored to build up the Palestinian Authority’s capacity to provide security, prevent violent attacks on Israelis, and deliver humanitarian aid, vital services and developmental assistance to the Palestinian people — putting a high priority on creating jobs; and
• Support benchmark principles for mutually acceptable peace agreements drawn from earlier official negotiations and from Israeli-Palestinian civil society initiatives, such as the People’s Voice and the Geneva Accords. “
“I am delighted that the leaders of the three major faith communities — Muslim, Jewish and Christian — have come to one mind on the importance of a two-state solution and on U.S. leadership for peace in the region,” Kirkpatrick told the Presbyterian News Service, following the conference. “This is clearly a moment of opportunity for peace in the Middle East, and I hope and pray that the Administration will seize the opportunity to join us in working for peace.”
Meanwhile, the NLIP coordinator Ron Young of Seattle, WA, explained that “delay is not the way” since stalling peace negotiations until violence halts would only give a “veto” to extremists in the conflict.
“We really have to overcome the sense that peace is not possible,” Young said. “Now is the time for the administration to move quickly.”
Furthermore, Young explained that now is the best time to act because the newly elected Palestinian authority is willing to move forward with the Roadmap to Peace, and the Israeli government intends to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
Young also explained that President Bush, “the first president to explicitly support a two-state solution,” can be decisive on policy matters since he is in his second term.
The document also encourages Bush specifically to push for peace.
“Mr. President, based on the deepest beliefs in our three Abrahamic religious traditions, and on past progress and new opportunities, we believe peace is possible. And we believe determined U.S. leadership is essential for achieving peace.
“We pledge our prayers and active support for your efforts, and we will work to mobilize our communities’
More information about the NILIP campaign is available on its web site: www.walktheroadtopeace.org.
