[WCUSP] Fwd: [aacaw-announce] Fwd: A Significant Action on Behalf of Gaza
Odile Hugonot Haber
odilehh at gmail.com
Wed Nov 21 00:01:53 CST 2007
> Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007
> From: Friends of Sabeel--North America <friends at fosna.org>
> Subject: Chicago Religious Leaders & Groups protest Israel's
> declaration of
> Gaza as "hostile entity"
>
> Friends of Sabeel--North America
> Voice of the Palestinian Christians
>
> To: President George W. Bush
> Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
> Members of United States Senate
> Members of House of Representative
>
> From: Religious Leaders and Organizations of Greater Chicago
>
> We are a coalition of faith-based organizations, religious leaders,
> and religiously identified organizations and individuals. We are
> Christians, Muslims and Jews from the Greater Chicago region. We
> represent communities with deep spiritual and family ties to Israel
> and the occupied Palestinian territories and communities who are
> deeply concerned about the humanitarian crises stemming from Israel's
> 40-year long military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
>
> We are calling on you, our country's leaders, to protest the Israeli
> government's decision of September 19, 2007, to declare Gaza a
> "hostile entity."
>
> Israel claims that this designation gives it the freedom to cut
> electricity, fuel, and other basic necessities to the 1.5 million
> Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, half of whom are children and the
> majority of whom are impoverished. Some 1.2 million Gazans already
> depend on international food handouts to survive. Their situation has
> been made significantly worse by Israel's frequent prevention of vital
> supplies and services from entering Gaza. Through this new
> declaration, the Israeli government appears to be attempting to
> justify and gain political support for policies that already amount to
> the collective punishment of a whole population.
>
> Secretary Rice has stated that the U.S. "will not abandon the innocent
> Palestinians in Gaza, and indeed will make every effort to deal with
> their humanitarian needs." How can this commitment be upheld if our
> government stands by silently while Israel moves to exacerbate an
> already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza? If the United States is
> genuinely interested in fostering peace between Israelis and
> Palestinians, the Israeli action cannot stand without rebuke.
>
> The Israeli government justifies its policies as a way to pressure
> Gazans to turn against those who fire crude homemade rockets into
> Israel. Indeed, Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli communities are
> illegal and must be condemned. The firing of these Qassam rockets
> killed four Israelis in 2006-2007; at the same time Israeli missile
> strikes and military actions in civilian areas killed hundreds of
> Palestinians in Gaza, including at least 147 children. These illegal
> acts also deserve condemnation.
>
> Israel's harsh strategy will only prejudice future negotiations to
> end the conflict, which needs unified and empowered Palestinian and
> Israeli leadership to reach a comprehensive peace agreement.
>
> Therefore, we urge you to take immediate action to:
>
> Call on the Israeli government to immediately rescind its decision to
> designate Gaza as a "hostile entity."
>
> Demand that Israel's government fulfill its obligation as an
> occupying power under international humanitarian and human rights law
> to ensure the welfare of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip,
> notably its obligation to ensure the supply of essential necessities
> such as electrical power and to allow the movement of people and
> goods.
>
> Remaining silent in the face of growing impoverishment and threats
> against the people of Gaza implies our consent. As people of faith
> and as Americans, we expect our government to support policies that
> foster peace and prosperity, not further violence and suffering in the
> Middle East.
>
> Collection of signatures is in progress. If you wish to add your
> name, please contact lpollack at afsc.org or call 312-427-2533 x26.
>
> List of Signatories to Interfaith Letter
>
> 1. The Rev. Dr. Larry L. Greenfield
> Executive Minister
> American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago
> Co-Convener, Chicago Faith Coalition on Middle East Policy
>
> 2. The Rev. Cotton Fite, Ph.D.
> Priest Associate, St. Luke's Church, Evanston, IL
>
> 3. Michael McConnell, Regional Director
> Great Lakes Region
> American Friends Service Committee
>
> 4. Rev. Catiana McKay, Pastor
> United Church of Rogers Park
> Chair, Commission of Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
> Northern Illinois Conference
> United Methodist Church, Chicago, IL
>
> 5. Elizabeth Mertic, Member
> Lake Forest Friends Meeting
>
> 6. Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid
> Chairman, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago
>
> 7. Pauline M. Coffman, Ed.D.
> Member, Middle East Task Force of Chicago Presbytery
> Oak Park, IL
>
> 8. Joyce M. Cassel
> Principal, Chicago Mennonite Learning Center
>
> 9. Newland F. Smith, 3rd
> Church Network for Education on Palestine,
> Episcopal Diocese of Chicago Peace and Justice Working Group
>
> 10. Delbert M. Leppke
> Working Group on the Middle East
> Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Metro Chicago
> Synod
>
> 11. Rev. Harold Vogelaar, Ph.D.
> Former Director: Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and
> Justice
> The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
>
> 12. Rev. Susan B.W. Johnson
> Hyde Park Union Church, Chicago, IL
>
> 13. The Rev. Andrea C. White, Ph.D. Candidate
> The University of Chicago Divinity School
> Minister of Adult Religious Education
> The University of Chicago
> Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
>
> 14. The Rev. Rich Landers
> Hyde Park Union Church
> Chicago, IL
>
> 15. Rev. Robert V. Thompson
> Lake Street Church of Evanston
> Evanston, IL
>
> 16. The Rev. George V. Hudgins, III
> Pastor, Community Church of Wilmette
> Wilmette, IL
>
> 17. Rev. Dr. M.L. Codman-Wilson
> Sr. Pastor, Christ Community Church of Wheaton
>
> 18. Dieter R. Schulte
> Member, Working Group on the Middle East
> Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metro Chicago
> Synod
>
> 19. Pam Edelmann Sall, Ebenezer Lutheran Church
> Middle East Working Group of the Metropolitan Chicago
> Synod of the Evangelical LutheranChurch in America
>
> 20. Rev. Phil Yetter, Pastor
> First Baptist Church of Berwyn, Berwyn, IL
>
> 21. Mary E. Anderson
> Church Women United
> Barrington, IL
>
> 22. Lynn Pollack
> Member, Jewish Voice for Peace
> Evanston, IL
>
> 23. Rev. Don Wagner
> Center for Middle Eastern Studies, North Park University
> Chicago, IL
>
> 24. Rev. Paul G. Palmer
> Pastor Emeritus
> Community Presbyterian Church
> Mount Prospect, IL
>
> 25. Rev. Dr. Sid L. Mohn
>
> 26. Martha Reese
> Member, First United Church of Oak Park (PCUSA/UCC),
> Middle East Task Force of Chicago Presbytery
> River Forest, IL
>
> 27. Rev. Carol McVetty
> Northshore Baptist Church, Chicago, IL
>
> 28. The Rev. Jeffrey Doane
> Pastor, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church
> Chicago, IL
>
> 29. Rev. Jean Marie Duran
> Living Lord Lutheran Church, ELCA
> Bartlett, IL
>
> 30. The Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer
> St. John's Episcopal Church
> Chicago, IL
>
> 31. Tom Cordaro
> Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace
> Pax Christi Illinois
>
> 32. Edgar Hiestand
> Ecumenical/Interreligious Office
> North Illinois Conference United MethodistChurch
> Oak Park, IL
>
> 33. Rev Beth Freese Dammers
> Pastor, Presbyterian Church (USA)
> First United Church of Oak Park
> Oak Park, IL
>
> 33. Orlando Redekopp
> Pastor, First Church of the Brethren
> Chicago, IL
>
> 34. Bob Selby, Chair
> Ministry for Peace and Justice
> HOPE United Church of Christ
> Naperville, IL
>
> 35. Rev. Paul A. Hottinger
> Naperville, IL
>
> 36. The Rev Alan L. Streyffeler
> Ordained clergyman of the United Methodist Church
> Naperville, IL
>
> 37. Joan Ehrenberg
> Unity Lutheran Church, Chicago and the ELCA Metro-Chicago Synod
> Working
> Group on the Middle East
>
> 38. Yali Amit
> Member, KAM Isaiah Israel Synagogue
>
> 39. Lynn Kendall
>
> 40. Rev. Said Ailabouni
> Barrington, IL
>
> 41. David W. Doudt
> Chaplain, Provena St. Joseph Hospital, Elgin
>
> 42. Duane Mevis
> Wesley United MethodistChurch
> Naperville, IL
>
> 43. Working Group on the Middle East
> Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metro Chicago
> Synod
>
> 44. John Lengle and Donna Lengle
> Members, Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren
> Elgin, IL
>
> 45. Rev. Calvin S. Morris, Ph.D.
> Community Renewal Society
> Chicago, IL
>
> 46. Jennifer Bing-Canar
> National Director, Middle East Peacebuilding Program, AFSC
> Chicago, IL
>
> 47. Bernard F. Reilly, Clerk
> Peace and Social Concerns Committee
> Evanston Friends Meeting
>
> 48. Jesse Bacon
> Steering Committee Member - Jewish Voice for Peace - Chicago
> Chicago, IL
>
> 50. Judith McAtee
> Member, Western Springs Presbyterian Church
> Western Springs, IL
>
> 51. David Boris
> Board Member, North Suburban Peace Initiative
>
> 52. Rev. David Bebb Jones
> Convener of the Middle East Task Force of the Presbytery
>
> 53. Caren Levy-Van Slyke
> Member, Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine
>
> 54. Joy Reis, member, Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago
>
> 55. Rabbi Roy Furman
> Religious Studies Department
> DePaul University
> Chicago, IL
>
> 56. Rabbi Brant Rosen
> Evanston, IL
>
> 57. Dr. Lauren Langman
> Member, Tikkun-Chicago
>
> 58 . Mary Sotir
> Member, St. Athanasius Peace and Justice Ministry
> Evanston, IL
>
> 59. Rev. Daniel Dale
> Wellington United Church of Christ,
> Chicago, IL
>
> 60. Rebekah Levin
> Member Secular Jewish Community and School of Oak Park
> Oak Park, IL
>
> 61. Rev. Paul S. Allen
> Pastor Emeritus, Winnetka Congregational Church
> Winnetka, IL
>
> 62. Thomas L. Garlitz
> Director
> Catholic Diocese of Joliet Peace and Social Justice
> Ministry
>
> 63. Rev. Dr. Jane Fisler Hoffman,
> IL Conference, United Church of Christ
>
> 64. Reverend Christopher L. Pierson
> Director of Connectional Ministries
> Northern Illinois Conference of the United MethodistChurch
> Elgin, IL
>
> 65. Mary Knightwright
> United Methodist Deacon
> Aurora, IL
>
> 66. The Rev Stephen H. Swanson
> Pastor St. Paul Lutheran Church
> Villa Park, IL
>
> 67. Archpriest Nicholas Dahdal, Dean
> 1220 S. 60th Court
> St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
>
> 68. Rev. Fr. Mousa Haddad
> Church of the Virgin Mary
> Alsip, IL
>
> 69. Pastor John Stoltzfus
> Lombard Mennonite Church
> Lombard, IL
>
> 70. Rev. Dr. Pamela R. Lightsey, PhD
> Dean of Students
> Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
> Evanston, IL
>
> 71. Connie Baker
> President, Church Network for Education on Palestine
> Elmhurst, IL
>
> 72. Breeze Richardson
> Clerk, on behalf of the 57th St. Meeting of Friends
> Chicago, IL
>
> 73. Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director
> Council on American Islamic Relations
> Chicago, IL
>
> Friends of Sabeel--North America
> PO Box 9186, Portland, OR 97207
> FOSNA.org
>
>
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