US CHRISTIANS BACK TWO-STATE SOLUTION IN ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT
OPEN LETTER TO PRES. BUSH REVEALS MODERATE SEGMENT OF EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY, WITH MORE PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO PEACE PROCESS
3 August 2007

After years of Middle East policy dominated by the most vocal among evangelical Christian fundamentalists, those who believe Israel's domination of the Holy Land is a necessary step toward the battle of Armageddon and the second coming of Christ, moderate Christian voices are grouping together and seeking to be heard. They acknowledge that Palestinians have a right to a homeland as well, and that a sense of justice, and not dogma, should dictate policy.

More than 30 evangelical leaders have come forward to say that fundamentalist strictures should not dictate US foreign policy, nor should they be the one resonant image of Christians in the US. These moderate evangelical voices say they believe they speak for the silent majority of American Christians when they call for a policy based on fairness and understanding toward all those suffering in the protracted conflict.

In an open letter to Pres. Bush, the preachers write that both the state of Israel and the Palestinian people have "legitimate rights stretching back for millennia to the lands of Israel/Palestine". The letter also expresses support for a Palestinian state "that includes the vast majority of the West Bank". They are careful to remind policy-makers, the public and the state of Israel, that they fully support Israel's right to exist and in now way suggest reducing support for the Jewish state, a firm US ally.

But, they also observe that the humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is so severe, it is not only an historic injustice to those unable to defend themselves or improve their circumstances, but it is likely to foment more conflict, posing an increased and prolonged risk to Israelis as well as Palestinians. The group proposes a balanced policy the goal of which is to achieve peaceful cohabitation of the two populations, in a two-state solution.

Ronald Sider, president of Evangelicals for Social Action, took pains to specify: "This group is in no way anti-Israel, and we make it very clear we're committed to the security of Israel". He added that the moderate alliance of Christian leaders is hoping to promote a shift in policy toward a "viable" solution that provides security and quality of life for the entire civilian population of the two states.

The letter was signed by 34 Christian figures from across the US, including "Gary Benedict, president of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, a denomination of 2,000 churches; Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary; Gordon MacDonald, chairman of World Relief; Richard Stearns, president of World Vision; David Neff, editor of Christianity Today; and Berten Waggoner, national director and president of The Vineyard USA, an association of 630 churches in the United States."

The letter signals a potential turning of the tide in electoral salesmanship, where the evangelical Christian population has more diverse voices and will be approached more directly by politicians from across the US political spectrum. But there is thought to be vocal and determined resistance from more hard-line voices in the evangelical community.

"Christians United for Israel is opposed to America pressuring Israel to give up more land to anyone for any reason" said Reverend John Hagee, the group's founder. Powerful theological difference separate the two bands of US evangelicals, but the letter-writers' aim is not to pressure Israel to make undue sacrifices, but rather to ensure that US policy toward Israel is fair and recognizes the segment of the Israeli political establishment whose view is more pragmatic. [s]

• IHT: "U.S. Christians voice support for Palestinian state"

BBC REPORTER JOHNSTON, HELD HOSTAGE IN GAZA, FREED UNHARMED
4 MONTHS AFTER HIS CAPTURE BY MILITANTS, ALAN JOHNSTON WAS FREED WHEN HAMAS NEGOTIATED HIS RELEASE
5 July 2007

Alan Johnston's ordeal became a global concern, when the BBC and his family organized a campaign to urge his immediate release. The release is a propaganda coup for the Hamas leadership, which after ousting Fatah from Gaza, has been stripped of its role in the Palestinian government. Former PM Ismail Haniyeh appeared with Johnston in a press conference at Haniyeh's Gaza residence and sought to project a new image of Hamas as keeper of law and order and responsible political leadership. [Full Story]