[WCUSP] Jerusalem Declaration on Christian Zionism

[Odile Hugonot Haber]

"THE JERUSALEM DECLARATION ON CHRISTIAN ZIONISM"

                  Statement by Local Heads of Churches In Jerusalem



       Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the
children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Christian Zionism is a modern theological and political movement that
embraces the most extreme ideological positions of Zionism, thereby
becoming detrimental to a just peace within Palestine and Israel.
The Christian Zionist programme provides a worldview where the Gospel
is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism.
In its extreme form, it places an emphasis on apocalyptic events
leading to the end of history rather than living Christs love and
justice today.

We categorically reject Christian Zionist doctrines as false teaching
that corrupts the biblical message of love, justice and
reconciliation.

We further reject the contemporary alliance of Christian Zionist
leaders and organizations with elements in the governments of Israel
and the United States that are presently imposing their unilateral
pre-emptive borders and domination over Palestine.  This inevitably
leads to unending cycles of violence that undermine the security of
all peoples of the Middle East and the rest of the world.

We reject the teachings of Christian Zionism that facilitate and
support these policies as they advance racial exclusivity and
perpetual war rather than the gospel of universal love, redemption and
reconciliation taught by Jesus Christ. Rather than condemn the world
to the doom of Armageddon we call upon everyone to liberate themselves
from the ideologies of militarism and occupation.  Instead, let them
pursue the healing of the nations!

We call upon Christians in Churches on every continent to pray for the
Palestinian and Israeli people, both of whom are suffering as victims
of occupation and militarism.  These discriminative actions are
turning Palestine into impoverished ghettos surrounded by exclusive
Israeli settlements.  The establishment of the illegal settlements and
the construction of the Separation Wall on confiscated Palestinian
land undermines the viability of a Palestinian state as well as peace
and security in the entire region.

We call upon all Churches that remain silent, to break their silence
and speak for reconciliation with justice in the Holy Land.


Therefore, we commit ourselves to the following principles as an
alternative way:

        We affirm that all people are created in the image of God.  In
turn they are called to honor the dignity of every human being and to
respect their inalienable rights.
        We affirm that Israelis and Palestinians are capable of living
together within peace, justice and security.
        We affirm that Palestinians are one people, both Muslim and
Christian.  We reject all attempts to subvert and fragment their
unity.
        We call upon all people to reject the narrow world view of
Christian Zionism and other ideologies that privilege one people at
the expense of others.
        We are committed to non-violent resistance as the most
effective means to end the illegal occupation in order to attain a
just and lasting peace.
        With urgency we warn that Christian Zionism and its alliances
are justifying  colonization, apartheid and empire-building.

God demands that justice be done.  No enduring peace, security or
reconciliation is possible without the foundation of justice.  The
demands of justice will not disappear.  The struggle for justice must
be pursued diligently and persistently but non-violently.

"What does the Lord require of you, to act justly, to love mercy, and
to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

This is where we take our stand.  We stand for justice. We can do no
other.  Justice alone guarantees a peace that will lead to
reconciliation with a life of security and prosperity for all the
peoples of our Land.  By standing on the side of justice, we open
ourselves to the work of peace - and working for peace makes us
children of God.

"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting
men's sins against them.  And he has committed to us the message of
reconciliation." (2 Cor 5:19)

His Beattitude Patriarch Michel Sabbah
Latin Patriarchate, Jerusalem

Archbishop Swerios Malki Mourad,
Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem

Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal,
Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East

Bishop Munib Younan,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land



August 22, 2006
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