15 U.S. Church Leaders 'Question' Military Aid to Israel

15 U.S. Church Leaders 'Question' Military Aid to Israel

Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 8:23 pm

Reuters / Ahmed Zakot
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON, DC - The leader of the church in the United States (U.S.) and a number of other religious organizations asking Congress to evaluate U.S. military aid to Israel. They worry that the military support abused and instead continue to plunge the Israeli occupation.Sound about 15 religious leaders in a letter delivered to Congress on Monday (8/10), reports the Jewish Telegraphic Agency page (JTA) on Tuesday, and the Presbyterian News Service. Furthermore, they asked the U.S. to investigate the possibility of a breach of regulations related U.S. assistance to the other party (the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act) and regulation of arms exports (U.S. Arms Export Control Act)."As a Christian leader in the U.S., our moral obligation is to question the unconditional financial assistance from the U.S. that continues to rule Israel. Realizing that a lasting just peace terms set legally enforceable, the U.S. military aid to Israel, who offered unconditional or basic law will only maintain the status quo and the Israeli military occupation in the Palestinian territories, "said the letter signed among others, church leaders Lutheran, Methodist, church United Church of Christ (UCC), Baptist church, and the National Council of Churches."Therefore we beg, Congress confident of legal basis for U.S. military aid to the Israeli government in accordance with U.S. law and policy."This group claims to have worked with Christians in Palestine to create a peaceful civil society in Palestine. For them the letter was "to convey our deep concern about the inequality of conditions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.""It is unfortunate that the unconditional support given to Israel the U.S. role in the creation of inequality, ongoing conflict, and undermine long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians," they wrote, citing reports of human rights in Israel and Palestine, written U.S. State Department in 2011.Although acknowledged that Israel and the Palestinians equally responsible for conditions in the region, but these leaders said, "the Israeli government consistently ignores U.S. policy in favor of a just and lasting peace." Related to this point, they said Israel continued construction of Jewish settlements in the land of Palestine even though the U.S. has repeatedly requested that the process be stopped.Mail this Christian leaders received harsh criticism from the Jewish lobby in the U.S.. Pro-Israel lobby group in the U.S., the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) evaluation of the proposal against U.S. aid to Israel."U.S. aid to Israel is 'unconditional', as mentioned in the letter. This fact reflects the existence of a common goal for peace and security, and it is important to prioritize security elements for both sides, "said JCPA President, Steve Gutow.Editor: Yeyen Rostiyani
http://www.republika.co.id/berita/internasional/palestina-israel/12/10/10/mbnl6g-15-tokoh-gereja-as-pertanyakan-bantuan-militer-ke-israel