Whereas, external parties, including the United States, at the World Bank Conference in October, 1993, pledged 2.4 billion dollars to help revive the failing economy of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and to provide for immediate and basic needs such as nutrition, housing, health care, sanitation, education, and jobs; and
Whereas, delivery of aid has kept pace neither with the promises nor the needs, causing further deterioration of the living standards of the Palestinians, contributing to the unrest and cycle of violence which is endangering free elections, and making it difficult for the Palestinian National Authority to establish educational systems and other social programs and to implement economic development; and
Whereas, continued and, in many cases, intensified closures, confiscation of Palestinian land by the government of Israel, and the importing of foreign workers into Israel to replace Palestinian labor, coupled with economic policies of the Israeli government which hamper economic development in the West Bank and Gaza, have caused a further deterioration of the living standards of Palestinians, an increasing distrust of the peace process and its leaders, and an increasing sense of hopelessness and frustration; and
Whereas, we deplore the violence directed toward Israelis and the violence directed towards Palestinians and believe that, even as we hold the perpetrators responsible and accountable, we must address the root causes;
Be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church insist that our government release its portion of the aid immediately and encourage other nations to do the same; and
Be it further resolved, that we request that our government reevaluate the entire structure of aid to the Middle East, one goal being to redistribute the huge amount now given to Israel and Egypt, and a second goal being to consider economic support for the efforts of non-governmental organizations, including religious institutions, human rights groups, labor unions, and professional groups; and
Be it further resolved, that we insist that our government use its influence upon the State of Israel to cease the confiscation of land, allow freedom of movement to the Palestinian people, and cease those economic policies which are detrimental to development in the West Bank of Gaza; and
Be it further resolved, that copies of this resolution be sent to the representatives of the State of Israel in the United States, to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the Representatives and Senators, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, and representatives of the General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 20697-GM-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference