WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson,
presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) and president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF),
urged U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to ask Her
Excellency Tzipi Livni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel,
for resolution of a tax case involving Augusta Victoria Hospital.
Rice and Livni were to have met this week.
In a Feb. 8 letter to Rice, Hanson said, "Augusta Victoria
Hospital provides hospital and health services to Palestinian
communities not otherwise served and [its] humanitarian efforts
are both much needed and deeply appreciated by the Palestinian
people."
"At this critical time of political unrest in the Holy Land
all efforts to provide a foundation of good will should be
encouraged and affirmed," Hanson said.
Augusta Victoria Hospital, which is operated by the LWF, is
facing the possibility of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars
in taxes to the State of Israel. In court proceedings in 2002
Israel sought to void a long-standing tax exemption the LWF has
had for its humanitarian and health care activities in the region
since 1966.
Israel won the case in 2002. The LWF appealed the verdict to
the Israeli Supreme Court. LWF leaders are concerned the
hospital's future may be jeopardized if the LWF loses the appeal.
"Our urgent request is that the tax case involving the
government of Israel be resolved so that nonprofit providers,
including the Lutheran World Federation's Augusta Victoria
Hospital, can continue to provide care for Palestinian people who
are in need," Hanson added.
* Annie Lynsen is director for grassroots advocacy and
communication, ELCA Washington (D.C.) Office.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities 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.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
