Det danske Fredsakademi
Kronologi over fredssagen og international politik 7. Oktober
2012 / Time Line October 7, 2012
Version 3.5
6. Oktober 2012, 8. Oktober 2012
10/07/2012
Afghanistan
invaderes 2001.
10/07/2012
Præsidentvalg i
Venezuela / Las elecciones presidenciales en Venezuela.
10/07/2012
ELCA, other churches call for investigation of military aid to
Israel
ELCA News Service
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Concerned about the deteriorating conditions in
Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and the commitment
for a just peace, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and other U.S.
Christian leaders are urging Congress to conduct an investigation
into possible human rights and weapon violations by the government
of Israel.
In an Oct. 5 letter to Congress, the religious leaders cited
possible violations by Israel of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act
and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, which respectively excludes
assistance to any country that engages in a consistent pattern of
human rights violations and limits the use of U.S. weapons to
"internal security" or "legitimate self-defense."
The leaders also urged Congress "to undertake careful scrutiny to
ensure that our aid is not supporting actions by the government of
Israel that undermine prospects for peace. We urge Congress to hold
hearings to examine Israel's compliance, and we request regular
reporting on compliance and the withholding of military aid for
non-compliance."
U.S. churches and religious organizations have been deeply involved
in the pursuit of peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. The
religious leaders shared in their letter that they have witnessed
the pain and suffering of Israelis as a result of Palestinian
actions and of Palestinians as a result of Israeli actions.
"When as Lutherans we say that all the baptized will strive for
justice and peace in all the earth, it means that we will be
immersed in complex issues. While we do not all agree on the best
way to establish justice and bring peace, we will be involved in
lively, respectful, passionate conversations," said Hanson.
In their letter, the U.S. Christian leaders were clear in their
recognition that Israel faces real security threats and that it has
both "a right and a duty to protect both the state and its
citizens," but the "measures that it uses to protect itself and its
citizens, as in the case with any other nation, must conform to
international humanitarian and human rights law."
The leaders further said it is unfortunate that "unconditional U.S.
military assistance to Israel has contributed to (the)
deterioration, sustaining the conflict and undermining the
long-term security interests of both Israelis and Palestinians.
This is made clear in the most recent 2011 State Department Country
Report on Human Rights Practices covering Israel and the Occupied
Territories, which details widespread Israeli human rights
violations committed against Palestinian civilians, many of which
involve the misuse of U.S.-supplied weapons."
Examples of human rights violence related to U.S. military support
were included as an annex to the letter and, in addition to
specific rights violations, the Christian leaders expressed their
concern that Israel continues to expand its settlements in the West
Bank and East Jerusalem, claiming territory "that under
international law and U.S. policy should belong to a future
Palestinian state."
"From Palestinian Lutherans, I hear discouragement about the lack
of progress and questions about where the voice is of American
Christians," said Hanson. "Our letter seeks to be a partial answer
to such questions, that we are clear in our resolve to continue to
work for a just and lasting solution for Israelis and
Palestinians."
The U.S. Christian leaders wrote that it is "our moral
responsibility to question the continuation of unconditional U.S.
financial assistance to the government of Israel. Realizing a just
and lasting peace will require this accountability, as continued
U.S. military assistance to Israel -- offered without conditions or
accountability -- will only serve to sustain the status quo and
Israel's military occupation of the Palestinian territories."
They requested that Congress hold Israel accountable to these
standards by "making the disbursement of U.S. military assistance
to Israel contingent on the Israeli government's compliance with
applicable U.S. laws and policies. As Israel is the single largest
recipient of U.S. foreign aid since World War II, it is especially
critical for Israel to comply with the specific U.S. laws that
regulate the use of U.S.-supplied weapons. We also encourage
Congress to support inclusive, comprehensive and robust regional
diplomacy to secure a just and lasting peace that will benefit
Israelis, Palestinians, and all the peoples of the region and the
world."
Through an action, the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly expressed
concern over continued U.S. military aid to Israel.
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the
United States, with 4.2 million members in 10,000 congregations
across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the
church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving
grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians
and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of
the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
10/07/2012
Top
Send
kommentar, email
eller søg i Fredsakademiet.dk
|