1973 Executive Council Resolution: Middle East Situation

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United Church of Christ, “Minutes of the Executive Council, October 28-31, ” Vote 73-10-EC-7 & -8, “Middle East Situation,” p. 9 & attachment. Reproduced from the Executive Council Collection, United Church of Christ Archives.

Vice-chairperson Washburn assumed the chair and called for the recommendation of the Administrative Committee on the resolution concerning the Middle East situation.  On behalf of the Administrative Committee, the Rev. Theodore S. Ledbetter proposed a resolution on the Middle East and it was

VOTED:  The Executive Council approves consideration of the resolution on the Middle East.  Vote 73 10 EC 7

There was discussion and after editorial changes, it was

VOTED:  The Executive Council adopts the resolution concerning the Middle East.  (See resolution attached.)  Vote 73 10 EC 8

Mr. Ledbetter, on behalf of the Administrative Committee, presented an amendment to Standing Rule, I.1, creating a Steering Committee of the Executive Council.

1973 General Synod Resolution Concerning the Middle East

The tragedy and human loss caused by the 4th Middle East conflict within three decades stands as a judgment upon us all. Time and again opportunities for justice and reconciliation have been neglected or ignored by the parties involved, by the big powers and even by groups dedicated to justice and peace. The churches share the responsibility for this lack of concern and action.

Therefore, the Executive Council of the UCC:

Welcomes the actions of the UN Security Council in calling for an end to the hostilities and prays that the parties concerned will act in accord with the UN resolutions of October 21, 23 and 25, 1973;

Expresses appreciation for the active initiatives of the U.S. and U.S.S.R. in bringing about a cessation of hostilities and in maintaining a spirit of détente and avoiding a serious confrontation;

Deplores the way in which the great powers are using this regional conflict as a testing ground for weaponry;

Joins the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches in their efforts to help establish peace in the Middle East;

Believes that peace and security can be attained only through a just and stable political settlement that takes into account the legitimate aspirations of all the peoples in the area and, particularly, the right to existence of the State of Israel and the rights of the Palestinian Arabs;

Reaffirms the proposal presented to the 9th General Synod of the UCC and referred by it to the Inter-Instrumentality Peace and U.S. Power Task Force which calls upon the United Church of Christ to:

• Study the contemporary as well as the biblical Middle East;
• See that members of our churches are informed;
• Maintain close contact with the NCCCUSA and WCC;
• Welcome the opportunity for inter-faith dialogue, both with Jews and Muslims;

Challenges the members of the United Church of Christ to take seriously the opportunities now before us to become instruments of shalom-sala’am-peace for the Middle East and the whole world.