“Israel and Palestine” Memorial considered

Group 236

Our synod in part put a topic on the Churchwide Assembly agenda through “Israel and Palestine” (link to pdf file) a memorial adopted during our 2009 Metro D.C. Synod Assembly. Action taken August 22 by the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is described in an ELCA News Release and that day’s Legislative Update (excerpt below):

STRATEGY FOR ENGAGEMENT IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
To receive the memorials of the Eastern Washington-Idaho, Southwestern Texas, Indiana- Kentucky, New England, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Lower Susquehanna, and Metropolitan Washington, D.C., synods related to the ELCA strategy, “Peace Not Walls: Stand for Justice in the Holy Land”;

To reaffirm the commitment of this church to:
1. Continue its awareness-building, accompaniment, and advocacy on behalf of a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Israel and Palestine;
2. Evaluate and refine its peace-making efforts to demonstrate as fully as possible the “balanced . . . care for all parties” expressed in the Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine (2005; Sect. II.A), while continuing our unique relationship with and accompaniment of Palestinian Christians and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).
3. Learn more about the experiences of both Israelis and Palestinians and their mutual fears, aspirations, and hopes;
4. Work to convey the concerns and perspectives of Palestinians and Israelis that dispel stereotypes and caricatures and promote better understanding;
5. Lift up the voices within both communities, especially those of victims of violence, that seek peace with justice through nonviolent responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
6. Continue to help alleviate the humanitarian needs of all of those affected by the conflict, especially in Gaza;
7. Support U.S. funding that promotes peace and cooperation for all parties to the conflict; and
8. Continue to pray for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.