Following Jerusalem announcement, churches reiterate call for peace, justice, and equality

In light of Pres. Donald J. Trump’s announcement regarding the status of Jerusalem last week, 15 US churches and Christian organizations reiterated their call for peace, justice, and equality in Israel/Palestine, sending the following letter to members of Congress:

Dear Members of Congress,

We are writing to bring to your attention a paper sent by 15 Christian organizations to all members of Congress and to President Trump and his Administration earlier this year, calling for U.S. policies that support peace, justice, and equality in Israel and Palestine.

With the recent decision by President Trump and his Administration to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to begin the process of relocating the U.S. Embassy there, the principles outlined in the paper, included below, become even more urgent.

The Administration’s decision upends nearly 70 years of U.S. policy of neutrality on the issue of sovereignty over Jerusalem, putting the U.S. squarely on one side and disregarding the rights, needs, and aspirations of the Palestinian people.

In a December 6 letter to President Trump, Christian leaders in Jerusalem expressed concern over the president’s imminent decision regarding the U.S. position on the city. They wrote, “Our solemn advice and plea is for the United States to continue recognizing the present international status of Jerusalem.” They stressed, “The Holy City can be shared and fully enjoyed once a political process helps liberate the hearts of all people, that live within it, from the conditions of conflict and destructiveness that they are experiencing.”

The leaders added an invitation to hope, saying, “As the Christian leaders of Jerusalem, we invite you to walk with us in hope as we build a just, inclusive peace for all the peoples of this unique and Holy City.”

We share this hope, and it is with that in mind that we urge you to implement U.S. policies in support of peace, justice, and equality for all people in Israel and Palestine.

Sincerely,

R. Aura Kanegis
Co-Chair, Faith Forum on Middle East Policy
Director, Office of Public Policy and Advocacy
American Friends Service Committee

Dr. Peter E. Makari, Ph.D.
Co-Chair, Faith Forum on Middle East Policy
Executive, Middle East and Europe
Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)