Israel/Palestine Action Alert
August 26^th, 2010

The Church of the Brethren has consistently been a witness for peace throughout our history, dating back to a statement in 1785. We have also been consistent witnesses for peace between Israel and Palestine, joining with On Earth Peace to support Christian Peacemaker Teams in their witness and accompaniment in the region. The Church of the Brethren has also supported the World Council of Churches Decade to Overcome Violence, which in 2009 sent a Living Letters delegation to the region and has also sponsored Accompaniment Teams, and works with Churches for Middle East Peace.

On August 20^th, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that the U.S. has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to Washington, DC on September 1 and 2 to restart direct talks aimed at reaching a negotiated peace agreement. In response, we have yet another opportunity to stand up and voice our support for peace between Israel and Palestine. The Community of Yes, an interfaith coalition that is calling for a two-state solution to be a key part of the peace process. Click here to join the Community of Yes, and stand in support of the talks for peace in the Middle East.

Church of the Brethren Policy:

1970 Annual Conference Statement, Statements of the Church of the Brethren on War reads: The Church of the Brethren, since its beginning in 1708, has repeatedly declared its position against war. Our understanding of the life and the teachings of Christ as revealed in the New Testament led our Annual Conference to state in 1785 that we should not "submit to the higher powers so as to make ourselves their instruments to shed human blood." In 1918 at our Annual Conference we stated that "we believe that war or any participation in war is wrong and incompatible with the spirit, example and teachings of Jesus Christ." Again in 1934 Annual Conference resolved that all war is sin. We, therefore, cannot encourage, engage in, or willingly profit from armed conflict at home or abroad.”

1991 Annual Conference Statement, Peacemaking: The Call of God’s People in History reads: The church and Christians are called by God to witness to the gospel of peace with such intensity that nations repent and history is changed. Less than a radical witness can only lead us to accept idols of materialism, personal and national security at the expense of justice, blind nationalism, the glorification of military strength, and dependence on technological solutions for human problems.

Therefore, the Church of the Brethren shall:

1. continue to commit funds, staff and energies to a presence in Washington, D.C., helping our members keep abreast of public issues and speak truth to the principalities and powers;
2. develop networks on the district and national level for study and action on public policies of concern to the church, and to mobilize the church to respond;
3. advance efforts toward a more peaceful world order through supporting the peacemaking efforts of the United Nations and recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice;
4. work for a more just international economic order in which all people are able to secure their basic human needs;
5. support policies and legislation which radically reduce military spending and convert our national priorities to peaceful and life affirming production;
6. encourage the demilitarization of international relations and promote non-violent forms of defense (civilian-based defense);
7. advocate the forging of bilateral and multilateral agreements and treaties which abolish nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional weaponry;
8. affirm policies which foster human rights at home and abroad.

For more information about the witness ministries of the Church of the Brethren, contact Jordan Blevins, Advocacy Officer for the Church of the Brethren:

Jordan Blevins
C/O National Council of Churches
110 Maryland Ave. NE
Suite 108
Washington, DC 20002
jblevins@brethren.org
202-481-6943

Church of the Brethren Action Alerts are a ministry of the denomination's Global Mission Partnerships and its witness and advocacy office in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the National Council of Churches. Contact advocacy officer Jordan Blevins at jblevins@brethren.org . Contact Global Mission Partnerships at the Church of the Brethren General Offices, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; 800-323-8039 or mission@brethren.org .

© 2010 Church of the Brethren.

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