Letter to Prime Ministers Sharon and Abbas

~May 14, 2003~

May 14, 2003

Dear Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas,

As leaders of churches and church agencies the United States, we send our warm greetings and prayers for your work to bring peace and wholeness to the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.  We write to offer encouragement upon the release of the “Road Map to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.”  We pray that this initiative will reawaken the hopes and will fulfill the longings of your peoples that this longstanding conflict be resolved and the vision of two nations living in peace realized.

Your bold leadership is required, now more than ever, for this to happen.  You will be asked to leave behind many past ambitions and animosities and to convince your own peoples that difficult concessions can indeed lead to true peace.  Fortunately, you begin this journey in the knowledge that other nations will accompany you and that countless people of goodwill will join you in these tasks.

The occupation of Palestinian territories, which has severely stunted the development and character of both societies, must end.  Violence by terrorists, extremists and military forces must end.  Though difficult, the fact that these ends can and will be attained must become increasingly apparent to Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Prime Minister Sharon, we urge nothing short of a transformation of Israeli public opinion and government policies.  Israeli settlements and their related infrastructure cannot be allowed to continue to carve up a future Palestinian state and demoralize the Palestinian population; these must end.  It is essential that Israelis realize that only by ending the occupation through diplomatic means can the peace and security of the state of Israel and its people be guaranteed.

Prime Minister Abbas, we urge nothing short of a transformation of Palestinian public opinion and government policies.  The Palestinian leadership and people must unequivocally end violence and terrorism, the language of hatred that feeds violence, and the glorification of those who use violence.  It is essential that Palestinians place their confidence afresh in diplomacy to achieve an end to the occupation, complete the land-for-peace promise, and establish a viable, independent Palestinian state. 

The Israeli government will need the support and sustained guidance of the U.S. government and the other members of the Quartet to convince its citizens that peace and security for Israel will result from an end to the occupation and the return of settlers to Israel.  The Palestine Authority will similarly need the support and firm guidance of the U.S. government and the other members of the Quartet as it simultaneously restructures and reforms Palestinian government and confronts a wary Palestinian public with what will be required to attain peace.

The rejection of violence by both sides – in word and in deed – is essential.  Both peoples will watch for concrete actions of the other’s government.  Israelis rightly expect the Palestinian leadership to prohibit calls for violence against Israelis and to demonstrate that it has decisively clamped down on militants and terrorism.  Likewise, Palestinians will rightly expect that Israel will not use violence such as assassinations and killing and injuring of civilians, the demolition of houses and groves, harassment at checkpoints, confiscation of lands or actions that threaten the very existence of Palestinians in Jerusalem. 

The specific steps of the Road Map must be carried out simultaneously if commonly-held perceptions of the other’s deceit and ruse are to be overcome.  The immediate engagement of Quartet representatives as international monitors could provide visible evidence to both Israeli and Palestinian peoples that the rest of the world is prepared to help with the necessary steps to end the spiral of violence and allow for the creation of two peaceful and secure states.

There are predictable obstacles along this road.  Random violent acts may be used in an attempt to derail the processes set in motion by the Road Map.  The requirement that Israel roll back its settlements could fracture the governing coalition, causing delays in implementation.  The Road Map’s prescribed reform and restructuring of Palestinian polity could taint the integrity of the Palestinian leadership with the Palestinian people unless adequate freedoms are allowed.  The phased approach of the Road Map could be problematic unless there is authoritative monitoring and compulsory arbitration by the Quartet.

Nevertheless, if the Israelis, the Palestinians, and the Quartet can resolutely implement the Road Map, a comprehensive agreement can be realized by 2005.  The Road Map is firmly grounded in UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 1397, previous agreements between the parties, and the Arab League initiative.  It outlines the sharing of Jerusalem by the two peoples and three religions.  It will achieve peace through the courageous leadership of both of you.

Consequently, we appeal to Christians, to Jews, and to Muslims to join us in prayer for your strength of leadership, breadth of compassion, and depth of wisdom in paving the way for peace in the land all call Holy.

Sincerely,

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