February 15, 2005
by Toya Richards Hill

LOUISVILLE – It was a three-day crash course on the Israel-Palestine conflict and where the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) stands on the issues, and by the time it was over participants had enough resource material to overload an empty briefcase.

"Steps Toward Peace in Israel and Palestine," held here Feb. 10-12, brought together more than 200 Presbyterians from synods and presbyteries throughout the country to better understand the actions last summer of the 216th General Assembly related to Israel and Palestine.

Held at the Brown Hotel, the event included a lecture on the history of the region, panel presentations by Palestinian Christians, a teleconference on human rights issues with a rabbi in Israel, and roundtable discussions by conference participants on what information they really need to equip them back at home.

Each participant also received a large packet stuffed with resource sheets, books, study guides, pamphlets, a video and a DVD.

"There's a lot of expertise and talent here ... that we are going to be able to draw from," said Geoff Browning, a representative from the Presbytery of San Jose. "There's just a lot of connection here with a lot of other people."

Representatives from every synod and presbytery were invited to attend the event by the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly, and John Detterick, executive director of the General Assembly Council, following the 2004 General Assembly's controversial actions on Israel and Palestine.

Most notable was the Assembly's decision to call for "phased selective divestment" from companies supporting the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and companies profiting from either Israeli or Palestinian violence.

The action drew harsh criticism, particularly from some in the Jewish community, and caught off-guard many synod and presbytery members who were not knowledgeable about the Assembly's action.

The purpose of this conference is to equip people to be able to talk about the issue, said the Rev. Marthame Sanders, one of the event organizers. "That is the goal."

Perspective seen as one-sided

It didn't take long into the conference, however, before some said they were displeased with what they were hearing.

"I'm saddened that we don't have Jewish representatives here," Patrick Wrisley, a representative from the Presbytery of Central Florida, said during a question-and-answer session following the first presentation of the conference. "It's a multifaceted problem."

Gary Burge, a professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, opened the conference with a lecture on the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Asking the question, "Does Biblical promise trump historical residence?" Burge explored who has lived in and governed Israel and Palestine from Ottoman times until today.

Yet when the lecture was over, Wrisley questioned whether the event was simply an "apology" for the General Assembly's actions.

"We've got to look at both sides," he said in an interview with the Presbyterian News Service later in the evening. "I'm just trying to learn the truth."

Others concurred.

After hearing Burge's presentation, Susan Wittjen of the Presbytery of New Covenant said she, too, wanted to hear "a Jewish voice."

"We were told that this would be a balanced presentation," she said.

Sanders told the group no Muslins or Jews were invited to participate in the conference, which he has described as largely a Presbyterian conversation. The event did, however, include a live teleconference from Israel on Saturday morning with Rabbi Arik Ascherman, executive director of Rabbis for Human Rights.

Ascherman talked about the pain that both sides have endured and the need for hope.

"It is very important that you also have in front of your eyes ... what is going to increase hope on both sides," he said. The ultimate goal is "a better future for all of our children."

Dialogue acknowledged as ‘tough'

Jay Rock, coordinator of interfaith relations in the Worldwide Ministries Division of the PC(USA), acknowledged to the group on Saturday that with so many people speaking on the issues "it's very hard to hear the full range of voices."

"All of these voices," from Christians to Muslims to Israelis to Palestinians, "have something to say," he said. "This is a tough dialogue."

Rock encouraged the group, when in their own communities, to maintain dialogue rather than debate.

"Many who are seeking dialogue are really seeking debate," he said. And he noted that maintaining a dialogue will require skills.

"It's a very careful process," he said. And "the emotions that go with the Israeli-Palestinian situation are anything but orderly."

Carroll Meyer, representing the Presbytery of Muskingum, told the group that longstanding relationships have ended over the General Assembly action, with some vowing, "I won't talk to you again."

Kirk Perucca, from the Presbytery of Heartland, said some Jews he's talked to want to know, Why isn't the Presbyterian Church divesting from companies in Palestine?

Companies doing business in Palestine could be targeted for possible divestment as part of a set of criteria guiding the divestment process approved last November by the denomination's Mission Responsibility Through Investment committee.

Still, Rock said, "we cannot give up our own ethical position." Affirm the pain that those you are talking to may have over the General Assembly action, but also say, "There must be room for both of us" to be able to feel and think like we should.

"Stand firm in who we are and what we believe," he told the group. But also "find places for agreement."

Ultimately, Rock said, "these dialogues can be an opportunity for peacemaking."

Tips help give participants tools needed

Rock shared a number of tips with the group in order to better equip them for dialogue.

"First of all, do your homework," he said. "Know what the church did."

Other suggestions included:

• Be clear.

• Do mutual planning and look for mutual learning opportunities.

• Acknowledge the differences in language.

• Consider having congregational gatherings together.

Also, Rock said, "Try praying together." After that "sometimes the whole atmosphere can change."

Presbyterian News Service