Presiding Bishop's Statement on Hebron Massacre

Episcopal News Service. March 10, 1994 [94054]

I join with Jewish, Muslim and Christian voices everywhere who condemn the Hebron massacre. I grieve with the families of the victims and am outraged at the fanatical elements that caused it.

The massacre lays bare one of the great obstacles to peace in Israel/Palestine, namely the issue of settlements. While I condemn extremism and violence on all sides, Israel cannot justify a policy that arms settlers, creating a paramilitary force in the territories. Israel's decision to disarm the settlers must be total, not selective, and anything short of complete disarmament is unacceptable. The Israeli government policy of allowing settlers to be armed while denying Palestinians the same right of selfprotection from Israeli extremists is simply wrong.

Further, I call for the future status of the settlements to be resolved now. Israel's policy on settlements, including ongoing work on existing settlements (especially in and around East Jerusalem), is a serious drawback to the issue of sovereignty for a future Palestinian State. The integrity of a two-state solution demands resolution of this contentious issue on the context of current negotiations. Until this matter is resolved, I call for the suspension of any further loan guarantees to Israel.

I have long advocated for international protection of Palestinians in the territories. The Hebron massacre redoubles my conviction and I call for the United Nations to make such protection available at once. I plead with my own government to end its unjust opposition at the United Nations of such protection.

The truth is that Israel has a shameful human rights record through its years of occupation. I know it, my government knows it, the world knows it and it is a disgrace to deny the offer of international protection for one more day. The United States stands for human rights as a linchpin of its foreign policy. It is time to implement that policy in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

Finally, it is my prayer this day that out of the terrible tragedy in Hebron can emerge the transformation needed to break the present impasse with a determination on all sides to sit together and produce the just and lasting peace the people of the region so desperately deserve.

Edmond L. Browning

Presiding Bishop and Primate

March 3, 1994