Church admits unfairness toward Israel

Christians For Fair Witness on the Middle East is commending the United Church of Christ's General Synod for adopting a resolution "in support of a renewed and balanced study and response to the conflict between Palestine and Israel."

Previously, the church had approved resolutions calling for the tearing down of walls constructed by Israel to protect itself from terrorist attacks coming from the Palestinian Authority territories and for divestment from the Jewish state.

"This resolution is an acknowledgment that the General Synod's previous divestment and tear-down-the-wall resolutions were not balanced," stated UCC minister and Fair Witness Executive Committee member Rev. Suzanne Wagner.

"The resolution refers to the recent Palestinian on Palestinian violence in the Gaza Strip and points out that this occurred in spite of Israel's disengagement in 2005," adds Dexter Van Zile, UCC layman and Fair Witness Executive Committee member.

The resolution, which was sent to the denomination's executive council for implementation, acknowledges the UCC "may have overlooked many aspects" of the relationship between Israel and its Arab neighbors. According to Van Zile, "This is an admission that previous UCC resolutions were probably one-sided and unfair when it came to Israel. It directs the UCC to 'establish a Task Force to engage in on going and balanced study,' and assist our church in acquiring a 'deeper understanding of the situation.'"

"We are especially encouraged by the reference to a need in the Church for a 'deeper understanding of the situation,' comments Sr. Ruth Lautt, national director of Fair Witness. "The UCC has a history of issuing one-sided condemnations of Israel that completely overlook Palestinian violence and any culpability on the part of the Arab leadership. If this resolution is the start of a more honest and balanced approach to witness on the Arab/Israeli conflict on the part of this church, then we wholeheartedly commend them."

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