Israel-Palestine: For Human Values in the Absence of a Just Peace | Page 8

Israel-Palestine: For Human Values in the Absence of a Just Peace

funds in a proportionate and helpful way, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) hopes to act
with both integrity and effectiveness, seeking enforcement of international law and
solidarity with civil society organizations to protect the individual and collective human
rights of Palestinians. As stated by the General Assembly in 2010, “we do affirm the
legitimacy of Israel as a state, but consider the continuing occupation of Palestine … to be
illegitimate, illegal under international law, and an enduring threat to peace in the region.
Furthermore, we recognize that any support for that occupation weakens the moral
standing of our nation internationally and our security.”xxi
II. Acting on Christian and Universal Values
As a denomination with partners in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian
territories, PCUSA has taken and should continue to take actions and positions in service to
human dignity, self-determination, reconciliation across borders, equality before the law,
and solidarity with those who suffer. Recognizing that the United States remains Israel’s
staunchest ally despite the continuing occupation and annexation of Palestine and failures
of peace processes, this report also supports the calls of prior Assemblies to make the
billions in US military aid to Israel conditional on its advancing its democratic practices to
include basic human and citizenship rights for the Palestinian Christians and Muslims
under its effective control, and on equalizing the rights of Arabs or Palestinians considered
citizens of Israel. The current course of further restriction and dispossession will continue
to weaken Israel’s claims to share democratic values and will strain relationships in many
communities, including between some Presbyterians and Jews, causing regrettable
discomfort. Yet out of a much greater concern not to be silent in the face of the risk of
increased violence, this General Assembly cannot normalize acceptance of the practices
described in this report.
We commend adherents of all three Abrahamic faiths for their participation in
frank and fair conversations in efforts to help prevent misunderstanding and mistrust
among our communities in the US and in Israel-Palestine. PC(USA) appreciates the efforts
of the US State Department and other diplomats of all nations who help raise the moral
climate to reduce the frequency and severity of human rights viol