Berikut jeritan Bishop Palestina/Jerusalem kepada �Conference of Christian
World Communions� di Johannesburg. Barangkali Komune Kristen Indonesia ada
yang mau dengar? Atau Komune Islam pingin tahu ?
AH.
==================================================
24.OCT.,2000 ELCJ - JERUSALEM 972 2 6285764
NO. 307
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan
Bishop Munib A. Younan
Jerusalem on October 24th, 2000
The Rev. Dr.
ISHMAEL NOKO, General Secretary
The Lutheran World Federation
P.O. Box 2100
CH-1211 Geneva 2, SWITZERLAND
Fax: 0041-22-798 8616
Subject: Our current situation � update.
Dear Ishmael,
Salaam and grace to you from a troubled Jerusalem / Palestine in the name of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through your good person, I want to greet
all the General Secretaries of the Christian World Communions meeting in
Johannesburg / South Africa with God�s blessings. Please do share this
letter with them in order that you all together can act upon it.
In complement to my letters to you dated October 11th, 13th, and 20th, 2000,
I would like to update you about the recent occurrence / developments as
regards to the conflict crisis we are currently passing through.
The recent Arab Leaders� Summit came up with moderate decisions for the
continuation of the peace process, but, at the same time, warning the
Israeli government for its excessive use of force against the Palestinian
civilians. In this regard, some practical measures have been taken as
regards to the relationship of some Arab states with the State of Israel.
These measures might escalate, if the Israeli government continues to
escalate the situation. They have also mention that peace must have
substance, and must be built on justice. They reiterated the UN-resolutions
pertaining to the Israeli � Palestinian conflict.
In fact, the Israeli government oppose these measures and answered with
harsher measures against the Palestinian areas:
The closure is still clamped over the Palestinian areas. The Israeli
authorities closed off the Gaza International Airport, and the border to
Jordan and Egypt.
The freedom of movement of people and goods is still restricted between the
Palestinian cities. Many kinds of foodstuff are become rare on the markets.
At the same time, the Israeli authorities are allowing only Israeli products
to be sold in the Palestinian market.
The Palestinian industrial and agricultural products are not allowed to be
transported anywhere.
Palestinian farmers are not allowed to reach their field (mostly located in
areas B & C which are under full Israeli security sovereignty) in order to
pick their olives trees, where we have the best harvest since many years
(Please refer to my letter to you dated October 20th, 2000 in this regard)
In Bethlehem region, as well as in other Palestinian areas the hotels are
totally empty � no tourist and pilgrims. It is worth mentioning that the
Bethlehem region is living mainly from tourism. Factories are also working
in a 15% capacity.
Hospitals are lacking medical materials and equipment.
High unemployment is prevailing now.
The Christian schools are depending on tuition fees, they cannot collect
them at the moment. In consequence, they will not be able to pay the
salaries of the teachers for some months, for example: the ELCJ schools
will be in a serious economic situation to pay the salaries of our teachers
for the next three months at least. This is very typical for all the
Christian schools.
During the past days, Israeli army forces shelled with tanks, helicopters
and automatic weapon residential areas in the town of Beit Jala, [a
Christian town, west of Bethlehem] from Gilo, an Israeli settlement built on
the lands belonging to Beit Jala inhabitants, causing injuries and huge
damage in properties. Just yesterday, Israel�s Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert
stated in the voice of Israel�s morning radio-news journal that the
nighttime raid was a �proportional Israeli response� could reach the aim of
silencing the Palestinian uprising.
The shelling of Bethlehem area, especially in Beit Jala and Beit Sahour is
paralyzing the life of Palestinian Christian towns. Our Church has a
boarding section accommodating social cases. We had to transport foodstuff
from Jerusalem, so that they can be fed and cared for. In addition, we have
to treat the children psychologically. Our fear is that all these undue
measures will force the Christians to emigrate due to the lack of vision for
the future.
It seems that the present Israeli government is becoming more rightist and
radical than anybody thought of. Or I can say, it is dealing with the
present situation with a military, security perspective rather that a
political security perspective. This is a frightful issue that leads our
region to undue war, and to growth of religious and political extremists,
fanaticism and fundamentalism.
It seems that in this measures, Israeli will be in isolation and the
Palestinians under siege. Will then just peace ever be possible in such a
formula???
The situation is causing psychological traumas that has effects on
Palestinian children. During last Sunday school at our Beit Jala
congregation, the Sunday school teacher told that children used to break
crayons, reflecting their nervousness in class. On Monday, after the
shelling of Beit Jala, the children suffered from headaches, diarrhea,
dizziness, bed wetting and other disturbed psychological behavior. For this
reason we need now to start special psychological treatment for our
traumatic children.
We are crying as the Macedonian did: �come and help us.� For this reason, I
appeal to you:
� To use your good offices to seek protection for us unnamed people.
We call for international protection for the Palestinian people.
� To use your offices that all this spiral violence may immediately
cease, and that negotiations among the two parties will soon start to find
substantial solutions and implementation of the agreement signed and
according to the international legitimacy, based on the UN resolutions.
� To intensively pray for the Christian Churches in Jerusalem and
their prophetic role for a lasting, comprehensive, just peace and
reconciliation in our area.
� To work with the all churches around the world that the rights of
the Christian churches in the Holy Land will be secured and legislated in
the constitutions of both Palestine and Israel.
� To support the mission of the Church in education, diaconia,
dialogue and reconciliation. Our Christian schools are the haven to mold
the Christian Palestinian Identity, to teach equitable coexistence with the
religions and nations and to promote peace education.
� To do your outmost that neither the church schools, nor its
institutions can be stopped or closed for any political situation or
financial deficiencies, because the witness and the mission of the Church
are very much needed, especially at this stage of history.
� To form a delegation that will come and visit us and be in
solidarity with us in such a terrible crisis, that we have never witnessed
before.
As the Lutheran bishop in Jerusalem, I appeal to you, as sisters and
brothers in Christ: DO NOT LEAVE US ALONE. I call upon you to move from
writing statements to incarnate your good ideas on the ground. The
Christian Church in Jerusalem needs you, your solidarity and immediate
actions at this special time for the continuation of God�s mission in the
land of resurrection.
Please continue to pray for us.
May God bless you and your efforts.
Your Brother in Christ,
Bishop Munib A. Younan
The Lutheran Bishop in Jerusalem
>>>> 2.5 Mbps InternetShop >> InternetZone << Margonda Raya 340 <<<<
->Kirim bunga ke-14 kota di Indonesia, http://www.indokado.com
Untuk bergabung atau keluar dari Milis, silakan LAKUKAN SENDIRI
Bergabung: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Keluar: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sambut MASA DEPAN BARU Indonesia!
