March 24, 2003
by Ann E. Hafften

WASHINGTON - About 300 U.S. church members, including 80 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), took part in "Advocacy Days," an ecumenical gathering here Feb. 23-26, sponsored by Christian advocates working for just U.S. policies in Africa and the Middle East. Participants sought to encourage the U.S. Congress to develop more just and peaceful policies in those critical parts of the world.

The Rev. Mitri Raheb, Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, questioned the theme he was assigned: A Hopeful Vision. "How can we speak of a hopeful vision, when (Prime Minister) Sharon has just been reelected in Israel? When settlements are expanding throughout the West Bank like mushrooms, when an eight-meter high wall is being built as we speak around Bethlehem, transforming the little town into a big prison for 170,000 people? How can we speak of hope at a time when pre-emptive war is becoming a legitimate option and tool in international politics?"

Raheb, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and Palestine) and director of the International Center of Bethlehem, addressed the Middle East portion of the program on Feb. 24.

"The Middle East remains an area of concern for the U.S. Christian community as the ongoing tragedy of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the situation with Iraq continues to spiral out of control," according to the Rev. Mark B. Brown, associate director, Lutheran Office on Government Affairs (LOGA). LOGA, a program of the ELCA Division for Church in Society, is the ELCA's federal public policy office here.

"The first victim of the last two years was hope. Hope was assassinated," Raheb said. "Suddenly a vision for peace became something unrealistic, justice impossible, co-existence nothing but a myth," he said.

"This U.S. administration has chosen not to interfere in this particular Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They gave up on it. At least it's not one of the priorities on their agenda. And the United Nations gave the Palestinians many resolutions but failed to implement any of them," Raheb said.

He cited U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's statement to the U.N. Security Council on Feb. 6: "My colleagues, we have an obligation to our citizens, we have an obligation to this body to see that our resolutions are complied with."

Raheb said, "We would like to see Powell presenting satellite pictures of the illegal yet expanding Israeli colonies in the West Bank and Gaza. We ask ourselves why this same council tolerates total noncompliance by Israel with its many resolutions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel is even refusing to allow U.N. inspectors into the West Bank and Gaza."

Raheb said Palestinians, and Christian Palestinians in particular, must "hold to a hopeful vision in a context of despair and to peace at a time of bitter conflict and war. This is so important, for the Bible says: without a vision, the people perish."

In the context of conflict, Raheb said, "there is a great need to redefine and reclaim hope and vision, especially by the oppressed. A hopeful vision means you resist becoming data to be gathered or a case for research on human rights violations, someone to pity or something to observe."

Raheb urged American Christians to see the importance of their own hopeful vision, "not because you are pro-Palestinian, but because you need to stop being spectators in your own country." He said, "We are not asking for more statements on the Middle East, we are asking you to become proactive."

"Stand up for a hopeful vision for the Middle East, to speak out, to lobby," Raheb challenged the audience, "not for our sake but for your own sake and that of your country."

"At a time when Africa faces enormous challenges and crises, many rooted in decisions made by powerful outside forces and institutions, U.S. priorities toward the continent are glaringly inadequate," said the Rev. Leon Spencer, director, Washington Office on Africa. The Africa track of Advocacy Days looked at issues such as economic justice, HIV/AIDS, debt and African conflicts - and related issues such as land mines and child soldiers.

"Participants made appointments to speak with their senators and representatives in Congress, or congressional foreign policy staff on Africa and the Middle East," according to Tom Hart, director, the Episcopal Church's Washington Office for Governmental Relations. "They gathered for common times of fellowship and networking, a keynote address and reception, and a special ecumenical service of worship open to the public," he said.

The Africa program featured speeches by Rogate Mshana of the World Council of Churches on justice issues facing Africa, and U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif. 35th) and Imani Countess of the American Friends Service Committee on alternative visions for U.S. policy in Africa. At the public worship service for peace, the Rev. John McCullough, executive director, Church World Service, was the preacher, and music was provided by the Saint Camillus Multicultural Choir and the National City Gospel Choir.

Participants viewed the video "Judgement Day" in its U.S. premiere. The video compares the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the previous struggle for liberation and democracy in South Africa.

The meetings made use of two prominent Washington churches - National City Christian Church and Luther Place Memorial Church - as well as the United Methodist Building, which is used by many churches for their government relations offices on Capitol Hill.

Key church-related agencies planned the event - including the Washington Office on Africa, the Africa Faith and Justice Network, the Stand With Africa campaign, Churches for Middle East Peace, Church World Service, and Peaceful Ends through Peaceful Means, an ecumenical coalition of churches working for peace in Palestine and Israel.

The home page of the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs is at http://www.loga.org/ on the Web.

ELCA News Service
Ann E. Hafften is a freelance communication specialist in Weatherford, Texas; she serves as coordinator for Middle East networks for the ELCA Division for Global Mission.