Jerusalem Lutheran Bishop Calls for World Response to Violence

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran bishop in Jerusalem has called on the world community to pray and act on behalf of Palestinians and Israelis who are being "victimized" by a deadly cycle of violence throughout Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
The call was part of an urgent message March 7 from the Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and Palestine) (ELCJ). Younan began his message by wishing readers "salaam and grace from the unpeaceful city of Jerusalem." Lutheran church members in the Middle East have been directly affected by the violence, he said.
In the past week scores of Palestinians and Israelis have been killed or injured in an escalating cycle of violence. Palestinian extremists have killed Israeli soldiers and some civilians, while Israeli Defense Forces have continued a pattern of military attacks on Palestinian neighborhoods and government facilities throughout the region.
This week U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell criticized Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who said Israel would respond to the Palestinians with heavy military force. Powell told the U.S. Congress that military action to kill Palestinians would lead nowhere. Palestinians are calling for international intervention to protect them from Israeli forces.
"The continuous cycle of attack and counterattack, revenge and more revenge is in full swing and it is escalating at an alarming rate," Younan said in his message. "Nearly hour-by-hour new violence erupts."
Bombing and shelling continue in Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Ramallah, Younan said. Lutheran churches are located in each city.
In Beit Jala, windows were shattered at the home of the Rev. Jadallah Shihadeh, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation, as a result of shelling by Israeli fighter jets, Younan reported. The family was not at home at the time because they were staying temporarily at a boarding school at the church, he said.
"Their home is very near Palestinian government buildings, which have sustained extensive shelling," Younan said.
The Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor at Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, Bethlehem, said his two children were frightened by the shelling and could not sleep, according to Younan.
"This trauma is multiplied by thousands of families and children," Raheb said. "The Lutheran schools also are affected, with teachers and children severely traumatized."
The West Bank city of Ramallah is "sealed off," denying anyone travel. ELCJ staff and family members have been nearby when violent incidents have occurred, and Israeli checkpoints on roadways have intensified, Younan reported.
Younan asked for three types of responses by people living outside the region:
+ Ask their own governments to pressure the Israeli government to stop the military occupation of Palestinian territories. "It is this sinful occupation, now almost 35 years in existence, which is the root cause of the bloodshed and violence," Younan said. Governments should also call on the Israelis and Palestinians to "resume negotiations for a just peace based on international legitimacy."
+ Continue to pray for victims "of injustice and violence" on both sides of the conflict. "Please pray for the ELCJ in these highly stressful and difficult times, remembering the children and the schools, the teachers, the families and everyone who is suffering," he said.
+ Continue to assist the ELCJ financially, so the church can assist Lutheran families and meet expenses at Lutheran schools. -- -- --
A variety of updated resources related to the Middle East and the present conflict can be found at http://www.elca.org/co/mideast.html on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html