An Alternative Voice to Christian Zionism

Resolution approved by the Illinois Conference UCC, June 11, 2004

WHEREAS, the United Church of Christ has affirmed its support for a secure state of Israel in a previous Synod resolution [“The Israeli-Palestine Conflict” (1987)], and that the existence of Israel as a Jewish state is important, and

WHEREAS the United Church of Christ has also condemned anti-Jewish positions in previous resolutions [“Anti-Semitism” (2001), and “Relationship between UCC and the Jewish Community” (1987)], and

WHEREAS, the United Church of Christ has affirmed its concern about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine, and the importance of justice for both Israelis and Palestinians in resolutions [“Bringing Justice and Peace to the Middle East” (1999); “Jerusalem City of Life” (1997); and “Palestine/Israel” (1997)], and

WHEREAS, as a result of the Israeli settlements, access roads, and military control areas, Palestinians have been constrained in smaller and smaller densely populated, non-contiguous areas, and

WHEREAS, many innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians have been killed in the struggle for this land, and

WHEREAS, Israel has a very large peace movement that opposes the occupation of Palestine, and

WHEREAS, in polling data, a majority of Israelis express a desire for negotiations with Palestinians, a two-state solution, and evacuation of settlements in the context of a peace accord, and

WHEREAS, the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority have accepted provisions of the Road Map to Peace, and

WHEREAS, Christian Zionism, aligned with the minority Jewish settler group, takes positions on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict that are contrary to the position of the Israeli government and of most Israelis, opposing a two-state solution and supporting transfer of all Arabs out of Palestine, and

WHEREAS, influential members of the current U.S. government endorse Christian Zionist positions as a basis for U. S. foreign policy, and

WHEREAS, the Just Peace Pronouncement that was adopted by the General Synod in 1985, as well as updates and similar proclamations of other denominations and like-minded groups, has received insufficient publicity within our denomination, in the mass media, and among U. S. government officials;

THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the IL Conference of the United Church of Christ recognizes the diversity of Biblical perspectives on the question of a Jewish homeland, but affirms that all such perspectives should be grounded in the message of justice and peace taught by Jesus and the biblical prophets, and

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ calls upon member churches to enter into prayerful study of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine using study materials provided by the Naperville First Congregational United Church of Christ at www.LoveAndJustice.org/AlternateVoice , and

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ and its member churches engage in dialogue with our Jewish counterparts, making sure that this dialogue includes both Jews actively seeking peace with the Palestinians [for the Chicago area, Jewish peace groups include Not In My Name (www.NIMN.org) and Chicago Peace Now (www.PeaceNowChicago.org), both of which provide speakers for groups], as well as Jews who support the position of the right wing Jewish settlers, and

LET IT FINALLY BE RESOLVED, that the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ encourage its members to take action by:

1. Writing letters to the President of the United States, and other leaders in our government, insisting that all parties agree unconditionally to abide by the Geneva Conventions and accept the Road Map as originally proposed.
2. Cooperating with other denominations and like-minded groups to promote an alternative voice to Christian Zionism in the mass media.

(Click here for the revised resolution that was presented at the 2003 IL Conference Mtg.)