An Alternative Voice to Christian
Zionism
-- resolution as approved by 24th General Synod
of the United Church of Christ
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 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 the 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 24th General Synod 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 General Minister and President of the
United Church of Christ will write a letter to the President of the United
States, other leaders in our government, and the leaders of the state of Israel
and the Palestinian Authority, informing them that this General Synod asks all
parties to agree unconditionally to abide by the Geneva Conventions and to
accept the Road Map to Peace as originally proposed, and
LET IT BE FINALLY RESOLVED, that the General Minister and President of the
United Church of Christ will, in consultation with the appropriate ministries,
develop a plan to communicate the theological and political ramifications of
Christian Zionism. Elements of this plan should include:
