Noko applauds Arafat's reception of Saudi Peace Plan
Geneva 3 April 2002
As the Israeli military continued its operations in West Bank towns, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian territory and a stop to attacks on civilians and civilian property including places of worship.
The LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko urges Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to heed the voices of concern from the international community "and to step back from the path of war."
In a letter to Sharon today, Noko urges the Israeli leader to consider the Saudi Arabian proposal, endorsed at this week's meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference, envisaging peaceful co-existence between Israel and Palestine.
Noko points to the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on essential facilities such as the LWF-run Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem. Not only are the institution's staff facing increasing difficulties in entering Jerusalem despite holding Israeli-issued permits; the hospital, like others, is running out of supplies including blood stocks at a time when such services "are most needed."
Also, reports from the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem said the pastor's home and the church's international centre had been hit by shelling from the Israeli forces. Noko sees the assault as a clear violation of international law and moral responsibility.
Noko, in a separate letter today to the Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, describes as "morally abhorrent and beyond any possible justification" the suicide bombings which continue to take the lives of innocent Israeli citizens and to inspire terror in the hearts of the whole Israeli population. "It has been a bitter thing, during the recent holy days of Easter and Passover, to watch the unprecedented escalation of conflict in Israel-Palestine, and to count the rising toll of innocent civilians" on both sides, he adds.
Noko applauds the Palestinian leader for his affirmative reception of the Saudi peace plan including his willingness to implement an unconditional cease fire.
In encouraging Arafat to hold fast to the objective of peace, Noko notes that the Palestinian leader's public declaration of continued dedication to peace and rejection of suicide bombings as a means of resistance "would have added power in the midst of the war now being waged against you and your people."
He reminds Arafat that in the midst of the current crisis, his "leadership is more important to your people than ever," and prays for his personal safety, for Palestinian families that now find tanks and soldiers in their streets, as well as for Israeli citizens who increasingly face a daily risk of suicide attacks.
Article from: Lutheran World Information
[The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 133 member churches in 73 countries representing over 60.5 million of the 64.3 million Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.]