Presiding Bishop Affirms President's Recent Stance on West Bank Settlements; Barrier Concerns Underscored
Episcopal News Service. April 8, 2005 [040805-3]
In anticipation of the meeting of President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon of Israel on Monday, April 11, the Presiding Bishop has written the following letter to the President. The letter praises recent efforts and statements by the administration including criticizing the continued building of West Bank settlements, and also raises concerns about the effects of the separation barrier.
April 7, 2005
The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Almost one year ago today I wrote to you about the Episcopal Church's strong support for your advocacy of both a two state solution for Israel and Palestine and your "Road Map" for peace in the troubled Holy Land. We are grateful for the positions you and your administration have taken this year to forward that effort and the difference it is making. While still very fragile, hope among the Palestinians and Israelis is palpable and we know it will take a sustained effort to turn that hope for peace into reality.
I write again now in advance of Prime Minister Sharon's expected visit next week. We continue to be deeply concerned about the growth of settlements, in particular the proposed expansion of Ma'ale Adumin, that seriously undermine any possibility of the contiguous Palestinian state you have outlined. We are grateful for the questions that you and Secretary Rice are raising about the settlement expansion and for your statement this week that "the road map calls for no expansion of the settlements."
While fully recognizing Israel's need for protection against acts of terror, we continue to question the building of the separation barrier: most of it violates Palestinian land and therefore it has a devastating impact on the daily lives of Palestinians and engenders deep resentment and anger that can cause volatile reactions. It also makes it more difficult for Christian pilgrims to visit their holy places and walk the paths followed for centuries. While it is said that the barrier need not be permanent, it is now feared that even were it to be torn down, in many places the settlements would serve the same ends, becoming a "fact on the ground" and thereby preempting discussions that should be part of final status negotiations.
As I wrote last year, the Episcopal Church has a long record of support for a just peace that guarantees Israel's security and Palestinian aspirations for a viable state with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both Israel and Palestine. There can be no just or lasting peace for either Palestinians or Israelis without the engagement of both parties in the peace process, and it appears that in President Abbas you have found the partner for peace that you sought.
I note here that we have been happy to provide grassroots support for your request for Palestinian aid and hope you will call upon us if there are other ways in which we can support these efforts for peace. Please be assured, Mr. President, of my continued prayers for you in these complex and difficult times.
Yours sincerely,
The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church, USA