Another message from Bishop Riah

06 August 2006

Dear Friends,

There are not enough words to express my gratitude for your overwhelming response to my appeal.  The demands of the present crisis prevent me from responding personally to each one of you, but please know that I thank you from my heart and I bless you for your courageous efforts to promote the peace of Christ.  If you are able to assist the refugees and other victims financially, please send your check payable to The Diocese of Jerusalem, St. George’s Cathedral Close, 20 Nablus Road, Post Office Box 19122, Jerusalem 91190.  Please mark your check for “victims’ relief”.

This morning, I am deeply saddened after reading the United Nations Security Council resolution drafted by the United States and France.  This draft does not address the root cause of the Israel-Lebanon War, and in my opinion and the opinion of others, it will only serve to accelerate bloodshed in the region.  The diplomatic game in which powerful nations continue to engage reminds me of  “The Roadmap To Peace” which proved to be a road without a map and a map without a road.  Critical defects in the proposed resolution include the omission of a provision to return Lebanese prisoners of war to  Lebanon, no measure for Israel to pull back its military forces to behind the Blue Line, and no article for the return of one million Lebanese refugees to their homes.  Additionally, there is no plan for Israel’s compensation to Lebanon for their military’s bombing and massive destruction of roads, bridges, airport runways, and buildings.  There is no mention of borders in this long awaited proposal, no timetable for an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, no lifting of Israel’s full blockade of Lebanon, and no reference to putting the disputed Sheba Farms area under U.N. control.  Nothing has changed.  Despite the proposed agreement, fighting rages on today.

These compromised and pasted together plans are not strategies for enduring peace.  We must pray for, and world leaders must envision a peace plan that is comprehensive and not simply a beginning for future negotiations.

I deplore war and the abhorrent act of killing innocent women and children by any army for any reason.  People are being killed daily on every continent in battles over borders, economic power, racism, and doctrine.  I believe that the strongest and most powerful nations have the responsibility and the opportunity to lead by example and to promote an environment in which a peace process will be conceived where all nations and people are treated with respect, equality, and justice.  This and only this will bring an enduring and lasting peace to the world.

Israel’s continued military aggression against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip creates a fertile ground for the seeds of hatred, degradation, and humiliation to take root and promote unrest and violent uprisings.  Historically, occupation and other forms of oppression beget violence.  This is a statement of fact—not a defense for anyone who devalues human life.  The so called “war against terrorism” is creating generations of emotionally damaged youngsters who will be without a moral compass.  The complete destruction of the enemy through military force and the bombing of homes, villages, and cities creates a rage at the core of otherwise innocent and potentially productive individuals.  It is an insane military strategy that contradicts any theories of child development or peace-keeping.

On both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border, civilians including children have been killed during this four week period of the war.  The total of those who have died south of that border includes Israeli Jews, Palestinian Christians, and Palestinian Muslims.  U.S. based Human Rights Watch states that “Israel’s military appears to have deliberately bombed civilians in Lebanon and some of its strikes constitute war crimes”.  I must admit that I am encouraged by the increasing number of Israelis who support the equity of a two state solution, and who sincerely desire an end to Israeli occupation of Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.  This will pave the way for a permanent peace and will guarantee Israel’s most desired objective, namely security.

Do not underestimate the influence you have as an individual to effect positive change in the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ living in The Middle East.  You have circulated my letters around the world—and I thank you.  It is my hope that the truth of public opinion will influence governments to take a position of moral integrity.

“… in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,
not counting their trespasses against them,
and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.”
II Corinthians  5.19

In, with and through Christ,

The Right Rev Riah H Abu El-Assal

Bishop of The Diocese of Jerusalem, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria

Postscript

Tomorrow, August 7th I will record a segment in London with BBC’s Hard Talk program.