Palestinian Christians Call to End 'Tragedy' of Israeli Occupation

A group of Palestinian Christians issued a document on Friday pleading for an end to Israeli occupation of the nation, saying the situation has reached, "a dead end in the tragedy of the Palestinian people."

Questioning the lack of involvement from decision-makers, the international community, and the church in resolving the long-standing crisis, the group's manuscript entitled the Kairos Palestine Document noted that "[t]he problem is not just a political one. It is a policy in which human beings are destroyed, and this must be of concern to the Church."

"These days, everyone is speaking about peace in the Middle East and the peace process. So far, however, these are simply words," the document reads. "The reality is one of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, deprivation of our freedom and all that results from this situation."

Authored by 16 Christian leaders from the region, the document points out in detail the "reality" of Palestinians living in the occupied territories, including their battle with opposition such as the separation wall on Palestinian territory, the ravaging of agricultural land, restriction of religious liberty, and even "daily humiliation" at military checkpoints.

The document also accuses Israel of disregarding international law and resolutions, saying that the Arab world and the international community have been in a "paralysis" in their attempts to address the situation.

"Our word to the international community is to stop the principle of 'double standards' and insist on the international resolutions regarding the Palestinian problem with regard to all parties," the statement says. "Selective application of international law threatens to leave us vulnerable to a law of the jungle."

Proposed solutions from the document to the international community include implementing "economic sanctions and boycott" not as an act of "revenge" but rather a "serious action in order to reach a just and definitive peace…and will guarantee security and peace for all."

In a written response to the document, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) said, "the ELCA has received with somber, yet hopeful hearts this authentic word from our brothers and sisters in the Palestinian Christian community. Their perspective on the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinians warrants our respect and attentiveness."

"It is primarily a word of hope in a time of overwhelming pessimism in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a pessimism that could lead to despair," Hanson continued. "We join these leaders in their search for signs of hope and positive responses in the midst of a dire and seemingly intractable situation."

The Kairos Palestine Document concludes by saying, "In the absence of all hope, we cry out our cry of hope. We believe in God, good and just. We believe that God's goodness will finally triumph over the evil of hate and of death that still persist in our land."

"We will see here 'a new land' and 'a new human being,' capable of rising up in the spirit to love each one of his or her brothers and sisters," it says.

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