FAIR Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East

WITNESS 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1960

New York, New York 10115

(212) 870-2320

www.christianfairwitness.com

Board of Directors

CHAIRMAN

G. Morris Gurley, Esq.

VICE-PRESIDENT

Hon. Peter F. Vallone

SECRETARY/ TREASURER
Prof. Dennis Hale

Executive Committee

Rev. Currie Burris

Rev. Dr. Bruce Chilton

Rev. Dr. Roy Howard

Rev. James Loughran, S.A.

Rev. Chip Larson

Rev. Dr. Peter Pettit

Rev. Dr. Steve Simmons

Rev. Dr. L.T. Archer Summers

Rev. Suzanne E. Wagner

Dexter VanZile

National Director

Sr. Ruth Lautt, O.P., Esq.

April 1, 2008

Re: GBGM Israel/Palestine Resolution

Dear UMC General Conference Delegate:

We are writing to alert you to the fact that in addition to various divestment resolutions, you will also be considering a resolution submitted by the General Board of Global Ministries (“GBGM”) entitled “Israel-Palestine Conflict” at the upcoming General Conference. (Petition Number 80441-GM-R323)

In the guise of seeking peace and justice, this resolution is nothing more than a one-sided attack on the state of Israel, which it blames for all Palestinian suffering. The “whereas” clauses are a laundry list of alleged Israeli sins going back to 1948, without mentioning the possibility of any failures on the part of the Arab nations or the Palestinian leadership. The resolution refers only to “Palestinian suffering” and the need for a “just and lasting peace for the Palestinian people,” without acknowledging that Israelis also suffer. There is no mention of Palestinian terrorism, the suicide bombing during the Second Intifada, or the current non-stop firing of Qassam rockets and Iranian-made Grad missiles from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The resolution also mischaracterizes U.N. resolutions and international law in a manner designed to point the finger of blame squarely at Israel.

We have said this before and we will say it again -- Israel is far from blameless in this conflict. However, a resolution with this blatant lack of balance should be a red flag. Especially when it comes from a Methodist agency that recently published a book that: (i) accuses Jews of “ becoming monsters”; (ii) characterizes the early founders of Israel as “basically racist”; and (iii) characterizes the founding of the Jewish state in terms of “original sin.” (Israel-Palestine:A Mission Study for 2007-2008, pp. 115, 31-32 & 106)

Resolutions submitted to the General Conference by GBGM, Church & Society and the Methodist Federation for Social Action (“MFSA”), recent publications by GBGM and MFSA and the presentations on divestment at the pre-conference briefing, all point to a state of widespread misinformation and distorted perceptions regarding the Israel/Palestine conflict within the UMC.

Resolutions that are nothing more than accusatory litanies bashing the Jewish state are not worthy of any Christian body. We invite United Methodists to reject these resolutions, and instead conduct a truly balanced and in-depth study of the region. Only after acquiring a serious understanding of the history and complexity of this conflict will United Methodists have both the insight and balance necessary to become peacemakers. Then the UMC can raise its prophetic voice in a way that may assist Palestinians and Israelis to move past mutual blame and violence into an atmosphere of trust and confidence building.

In June 2007, the United Church of Christ (“UCC”) Synod adopted a resolution on Israel-Palestine which acknowledged that it “may have overlooked many aspects of an extraordinarily complicated situation . . .” and obligated the denomination “to establish a Task Force to engage in ongoing and balanced study of the causes, history and context of the conflict.” In its first meeting after the Synod (October 2007), the Executive Council of the UCC adopted an Action that directed the Task Force or panel to “engage in dialogue with traditional as well as new voices . . . representing diverse perspectives” regarding the Israel/Palestine conflict. We wholeheartedly applaud this new and balanced approach adopted by the UCC Executive Council and strongly recommend that United Methodists follow their lead.

Very truly yours,

Sr. Ruth Lautt, O.P., Esq., National Director, Fair Witness

Rev. Dr. L.T. Archer Summers, Senior Minister, First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto, California