SIGNS
OF HOPE FROM AWADS IN BETHLEHEM
The
Rev. Alex Awad, Dean of Students at Bethlehem Bible
College and UM Missionary recently visisted churches
in the US and
found one of the most frequent questions was: Is
there any hope? After returning to Bethlehem, he and
his wife Brenda wrote
a response to
the question, saying they believe there is hope and
they base it on several factors (excerpts follow).
-
Increased
Interest In Non-Violence Among The Palestinians
The majority of Palestinians are now returning to
non-violent means and approaches in addressing
their cause. Even though we may hear of a militant attack here
or there, the overwhelming majority
of Palestinians
are now condemning such attacks.
-
Commitment
Of Mahmoud Abbas (Abu –Mazen) To The Political Process
The new Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, is
fully committed to a negotiated political discourse
(and) … is working
very hard, on one front, to bring the Israelis
to negotiate with him in good faith and on the other front,
to bring the various
Palestinian
militant factions to give up their armed
struggle and engage in the political dialogue.
-
The
Revival Of The Peace Camp In Israel
Israeli peace activists have been organizing marches
and demonstrations against the apartheid
wall. They have been standing alongside Palestinians and international
volunteers in
exposing the
evils of the wall and the occupation.
-
Practical
Measures Taken By Mainline Denominations
Mainline denominations are becoming increasingly
impatient with Israeli measures. The Presbyterian
Church, USA led the initiative by considering divestment from any
business that supports
injustice
in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Other denominations are following suit.
-
Increased
Interest Among European Countries To Bring An End To The Conflict.
Many Europeans see a direct link
between the rise in terrorism
and the cruel treatment of Palestinians by
Israelis or Iraqis by Americans.
After the Israeli withdrawal
from Gaza we anticipate greater European pressure
exerted on Israel to
implement
the road map or any resolution
that will bring an end to the
conflict.
-
Positive
Statements From The Bush Administration
President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice, and others in the
Bush Administration have clearly stated their vision
of having an independent
and a viable
Palestinian state
existing
in peace and security next
to a secure and prosperous
State of Israel. If and when the Administration
decides to implement these statements,
peace will not be far behind.
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