Resolution on a just peace in the Middle East

Approved by the Division of World Outreach
Annual General Meeting
February 5^th 2001

Introduction

The Division of World Outreach works through the Middle East Working Group (MEWG) of InterChurch Action for Development, Relief and Justice (ICA) with partners in the Middle East, including the Middle East Council of Churches, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees and Sabeel, an Ecumenical Centre for Liberation Theology. In consultation with these partners, the MEWG has developed a policy framework entitled "Peace With Justice in Palestine" which was affirmed by the Board of ICA, with United Church support in May 2000.

In January 2001, eleven Church leaders including the Moderator of the United Church issued a statement which affirmed the right of Palestinians to exist in peace and freedom in an internationally recognised homeland and state, and the right of Israel to exist in peace and security within international recognised borders. The letter also affirmed that the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the withdrawal of Israel from settlements in Gaza and the West Bank and provision of territorial integrity for a Palestinian state is necessary for a just and lasting peace in the region. 

In solidarity with Middle East partners, in response to their call for support of those who are struggling for a just peace in the region, and consistent with the Policy Framework document, the Division of World Outreach records the following actions:

Be it therefore resolved that the Division of World Outreach of The United Church Canada:

• 1. Affirm the work of the Middle East Working Group of ICA and further encourage the MEWG to continue to stand in solidarity with Palestinian people and to speak prophetically for justice in the Middle East.

• 2. While condemning acts of violence on all sides, particularly deplore the continuing excessive use of force, in many forms, by the Israeli army against Palestinians.

• 3. Call on the Government of Canada to implore Israel to recognise its accountability under the 4^th Geneva Convention as an occupying power over Gaza and the West Bank and to heed the required restraint that it must exercise in these areas.

• 4. Further request the Government of Canada to call Israel to recognize, as the occupying power, that it has a primary obligation to take responsibility for de-escalating the violence, and that it can do this through the following steps: by withdrawing forces from the West Bank and Gaza, by ending the containment of Palestinian villages and communities, by ceasing destruction of olive groves and other means of punishment of the Palestinian population, and by ending the economic strangulation of the Palestinian people.    

• 5. Communicate to Middle East partners and to the Government of Canada the conviction that true peace will only be achievable through the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions, specifically 242 (1967), 338 (1973), recently re-affirmed by Security Council Resolution 1322, and UN General Assembly Resolution 194 (1948); and that these resolutions require the implementation of the right of return of Palestinian refugees and the withdrawal of Israel from the West Bank and Gaza including settlements.

• 6. Call on the Government of Canada and all international actors to recognise that the right of return of refugees is a basic human right that must also be accorded to Palestinian refugees.

• 7. Direct that prayer, study and action resources be produced for The United Church of Canada  that underline the biblical, theological, interfaith, historical and political contexts of the Middle East and that help facilitate dialogue with Christian, Jewish and Muslim neighbours.

• 8. Encourage The United Church of Canada at all levels to remain in dialogue with Jewish and Muslim communities and make every effort to be in solidarity with justice seeking groups within those faith communities.