No Peace Without Justice

A Statement of the Middle East Working Group* of Inter-Church Action in solidarity with partners in the Occupied Territories

November 8, 2000

The violence in the Occupied Territories and Israel, which broke out in late September and in which, to date, over 240 people have been killed and thousands injured, calls us as church bodies to make a public statement.
 

We deeply lament the loss of life, as life is always a gift from God. Each death, each wounded person is a grievous testimony to the disorder and sin which are the roots of violence. The will of God is for all--both Palestinian and Israeli--to live in peace, security, and economic sufficiency. That is part of the fulness of life which our Lord proclaimed, part of the vision of the historic church of Jerusalem, and part of the message of the Biblical prophets.
 

This vision of Shalom has been violated most strongly for the Palestinian people. Over 90% of the casualties have been Palestinians, mainly youth. The Israeli Defence Forces have used the most sophisticated weaponry while the Palestinians, having only a few guns, have relied mainly on throwing stones. But this outbreak of violence does not stand in isolation. It is the fruit of longstanding frustration and injustice. The Palestinians have lived with insecurity, harassment, containment, and poverty. They have been a captive population. The Israelis, as the occupying power, have confiscated their land, deprived them of water, and restricted their movement to and from schools, workplaces and houses of worship. They have also been subjected to extensive violence by Israeli settlers.
 

We believe that only by addressing the historic injustices will further violence be avoided. This means that both peoples' rights must be respected. The Palestinians have a right to self-determination and to their own secure state without interference from outside parties, just as the state of Israel needs a guarantee of security from its neighbours. Unfortunately, despite over a half century of efforts this simple objective has not been reached. To pursue it now requires a new commitment to the IV Geneva Convention governing the role of an Occupying Power, and to all UN resolutions including 194 (1948) regarding the Palestinian refugees' right to return home, 242 (1967) calling for the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied territory, and 338 (1973) regarding Israeli withdrawal from the Occupied Territories.
 

Israel has continually disregarded these international agreements and conventions. It has established illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories (Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem), claimed sovereignty for all of Jerusalem, and violated its responsibilities as an occupying power in the ways noted above. Signing the Oslo Accords in 1993 did not change the trend. Basic issues remain unaddressed including Israel's settlements in the Occupied Territories; the return of Palestinian refugees; the status of Jerusalem; and Palestinian self-determination. Though critical of Israel's policies toward the Palestinians, we affirm Israel's need for security, acknowledging that the long history of anti-Semitism in the western world is an underlying factor. Tragically, Israel's security is undermined by its refusal to address the issues. Addressing these issues could lead to a settlement with the Palestinians.
 

We call for a new strategy based on the international instruments mediated by the UN and the above mentioned UN resolutions. Only a new strategy which respects international law has hope to end the violence and provide a durable peace with justice. Without such steps there will be no end to the intifadahs and oppression, and no peace for Israelis or Palestinians.
 

We stand with our partners in Palestine and take courage from all--in Palestine, in Israel, and in other countries--who remain steadfast in their search for a peace based on justice. We continue to believe that Israelis and Palestinians can live as peaceful neighbours. We pray that this will become a reality soon.

* The Middle East Working Group of ICA has participation from the following ICA members:
 

Mennonite Central Committee
Primate's World Relief and Development Fund
United Church of Canada - Division of World Outreach
Presbyterian World Service and Development