Our Christian Friends
T
and other religions. He has no use for zealots who ride the
rapids of religious insolence to de-legitimize Israel as a peace-
maker and brand it an autocracy that deserves global sanc-
tions.
"We felt it was important for the Jewish communities and
also for the Christian communities across the United States to
know that there was an organized group of non-evangelical
Christians that was disgusted with and opposed to church res-
olutions that portray Israel as the primary, if not only, obstacle
to peace in the Middle East and the oppressor of the
Palestinians," Blewett said.
That's powerful stuff.
And it's not just talk.
The NCLCI had representatives at each major church con-
vention to build opposition to anti-Israel resolutions and
empower moderates to expose the lies of the Palestinian
Authority, the Middle East Council of Churches and
Palestinian sympathizers like the Sabeel Ecumenical Theology
Liberation Center in Jerusalem.
Don't downplay Sabeel. Its Christian Palestinian activists
present a "Liberation Theology" that pins
Palestinian angst on Israel. This theology advo-
hey don't share the same theology so there is no
chance of collusion linking their anti-Zionist rants.
But that doesn't diminish how an alarming number
of Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists, United Church of
Christ goers and other Protestants have blamed Zionists for
the Palestinian plight and entertained resolutions either urging
divestment from companies doing business with Israel or
demanding removal of Israel's West Bank security barrier.
While getting these resolutions passed has proven hard, the
fact that they have been considered should anger American
Jews especially, given our heavily Protestant nation.
Bravely, the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America is playing up invest-
ment in Israel. Within Christianity, the
Vatican has done far more than Protestants
to strengthen ties with Jews.
They unfortunately don't grab headlines,
but Protestants who believe
in Israel are becoming more
vocal. I'm happy to report
ROBERT A. that a Novi-based network
SKLAR
of Protestant-dominated
"Much work still needs to be
Editor
Christian groups and indi-
done with Protestant denomi-
viduals throughout America
have repudiated calls for divestment.
nations and others on behalf of
The 35-member executive committee of the
National Christian Leadership Conference for
Israel."
Israel issued the Aug. 26 repudiation. The com-
mittee includes Catholics, mainline Protestants,
Michael Bohnen
evangelicals, independent Christians and charis-
matics, who are new Pentecostals.
"We joke," says NCLCI executive director
cates on behalf of the weak (the Palestinians)
David Blewett, "but it is absolutely true: The
and battles against the strong (Israel) "to achieve
only thing we all agree on is the need for Christian support
liberation
from
suffering," says Michael Bohnen, co-chair of
for the people, land and State of Israel. Everything else, we
American
Jewry's
Jewish Council for Public Affairs/United
leave outside the door when we meet."
Jewish
Communities
Israel Advocacy Initiative. Liberation
That's encouraging — the notion of Christians breaking
theologians
seek
"one
nation for two peoples and three reli-
formation to defend the Jewish state. The Conference itself is
gions." The result of that is obvious.
two-thirds Catholics and mainline Protestants, so it has the
I hope that the Palestinian people realize that divestiture
backbone to effectively lobby denominations where anti-
would
harm them as much as it would Israel. It would elimi-
Zionism is pervasive.
nate
their
Israeli jobs and keep sorely needed Israeli goods
The NCLCI repudiation says anti-Israel resolutions ignore
from
the
territories.
Before Palestinian terror on Israel
the significant risk for peace that Israel took in withdrawing
resumed
in
2000,
spurring
tougher border laws, Palestinian
from the Gaza Strip and parts of Samaria in the West Bank. It
goods went around the world. The jobless rate within the
also says they ignore support for terror served up by Syria,
Palestinian Authority had plunged to 12 percent, according
Saudi Arabia, Iran and Palestinian terrorist groups.
to
NCLCI.
NCLCI follows the path of the Presbyterians Concerned for
Investment
in both Israel and the territories is the prudent
Jewish and Christian Relations, which is prepared to essential-
course.
ly call for ditching divestiture at the Presbyterian Church
Says Blewett: "Those who really want to help the
(USA)'s 2006 General Assembly. In 2004, the Presbyterian
Palestinians
and change the climate of the Middle East
Church (USA) called for "selective phased divestment in
should
try
to
help put them to work so they can earn some
multinational corporations" doing busi-
income and develop some personal pride
ness in Israel although the Louisville-based
in accomplishments."
Church has only looked into which pen-
The Palestinians will never want peace
sion holders do business with Israel and
with Israel until they see that it really does
has not actually divested.
unlock the passage to realizing their
Ministers and leaders in both the
How would you respond to
potential in a civilized society.
NCLCI and the Presbyterians Concerned
a Christian ignorant of the
Meanwhile, let's applaud enlightened
for Jewish and Christian Relations chose
facts but trying discredit
Christians.
to galvanize against divestment as a show
Israel?
As Bohnen put it: "Much work still
of Zionist solidarity.
needs
to be done with Protestant denomi-
Blewett also heads the Southfield-based
Have local Christian-
nations
and others on behalf of Israel. But
Dove Institute, which strives to celebrate
Jewish relations improved
we
are
making
progress and building
diversity and foster understanding among
despite growing world anti-
stronger
coalitions
in the process."
Christians and Jews as well as Muslims
Zionism?
9/ 8
2005
5