September 6, 2005

JERUSALEM – Leaders of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), including the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), discussed prospects for Middle East peace and expressed specific financial concerns about the future of Augusta Victoria Hospital in a 35-minute meeting with Israeli President Moshe Katsav.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, LWF president and ELCA presiding bishop, Chicago, the Rev. Rev. Ishmael Noko, LWF general secretary, Geneva, and the Rev. Munib A. Younan, LWF vice president, met with Katsav Sept. 5. Younan is bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).

The Lutherans are participating in the LWF Council meeting Aug. 31-Sept. 6 here and in Bethlehem.

Hanson began the meeting by telling Katsav that the Lutherans were pleased with the Israeli government's decision to withdraw settlements from Gaza. The LWF Council "came here out of our commitment to strengthen Jewish-Christian relationships and Christian-Muslim relationships," he said.

Calling the withdrawal from Gaza "a historic opportunity," Katsav said the government's decision to withdraw was painful and divided Israeli society. He said the "gap" between Israelis and Palestinians "has never been as small as now." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whom the LWF leaders met with Sept. 3, has the ability to stop terrorism against Israeli civilians, Katsav said.

Terrorism is key to why the Palestinian people are suffering injustice, unemployment and poverty, Katsav said. If Abbas can stop terrorism it will benefit the Palestinian people, Katsav told the Lutherans.

"It will be an historical contribution, if he will do it. If he will not do it, it will be an historical mistake. Sooner or later, if the bloodshed continues, someone will be forced to stop it. There will not be any other choice. We'll be forced to do it. It will mean escalation. We don't want escalation," Katsav said.

"Stopping terrorism and violence is a major challenge," Hanson said in response. "We reject violence and support a just and lasting peace for all." He told Katsav the Lutherans were concerned about the "massive struggle" of the Palestinian people to rebuild Gaza, and freedom of movement for people in the West Bank, so that they are not separated from their jobs and families.

Younan told Katsav that the security of Israel is dependent on justice, peace and reconciliation for Palestinians. He said local religious leaders have started a "Council for Religious Leadership in the Holy Land" to promote greater religious understanding.

Katsav responded that injustice and poverty for Palestinians is a "direct result of the bloodshed. If it stops, there will be political dialogue, and unemployment and poverty will be reduced for Palestinians," he said.

"I believe that if the Lutheran Church can contribute positively by stopping terrorism, we can renew political negotiation and dialogue," the Israeli president said.

The LWF has tried to contribute to peace and international understanding, Noko said. He cited the LWF action in 1984 to renounce the anti-Jewish writings of Martin Luther, the German church reformer who started the Protestant Reformation. A few years later the ELCA took the same action, Hanson said.

Augusta Victoria Hospital, the LWF-operated health care facility on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem, also represents the LWF's commitment to peace and humanitarian service, Noko said. It serves the medical needs of Palestinian refugees, and it is open to everyone, he said.

Presently the hospital is facing the possibility of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes to the State of Israel. In 2002 Israel took the LWF to court seeking to void a long- standing tax exemption the hospital has had since 1966 with Jordan. The exemption was continued under the State of Israel in 1967.

Israel won the case in a district court. The LWF appealed the verdict to the Israeli Supreme Court. The LWF leaders are concerned the hospital's future may be jeopardized if the LWF loses the appeal.

"It's a difficult situation for us to continue with humanitarian services with the imposition of taxes. We hope that we can find a solution," Noko said.

Hanson warned that if the government of Israel doesn't intervene and solve the tax case fairly, it could have negative consequences for Israel.

"It would appear that the government of Israel doesn't want to find a way to sustain this humanitarian service. If we have to close the hospital I would think that could be a political liability for Israel," he told Katsav. More and more people are watching this case and its implications for the hospital, including the German president and prime minister of Norway, both of whom have expressed concern to the Israeli government, Hanson said.

Avi Granot, adviser to Katsav, said Augusta Victoria is registered as a hospital not a religious institution. All hospitals in Israel are taxed, he said. However, the Rev. Mark B. Brown, LWF regional representative, Jerusalem, said Israeli hospitals can qualify as teaching hospitals and receive subsides for which Augusta Victoria cannot qualify.

In addition to regular medical services Augusta Victoria provides specialized services, such as cancer and kidney services, Brown said. "The hospital is unique. We're serving people who are not part of the national health insurance (plan) who have little or no capacity to pay."

"We hope this case can be solved because it is a burden on us. It's not good for anybody," Younan said.

The case has political and religious implications, but the Lutherans "understand the complexities you're facing," Hanson said to Katsav. He asked Katsav and his staff for a written proposal to resolve the case out of court.

In addition to the meeting with Katsav, the LWF leaders had brief courtesy visits Sept. 5 with Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Silvan Shalom, Israel's Minister of the Interior, Ophir Paz-Pines, and Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianksi. In addition, the LWF leaders, council members, advisors and staff were guests at a reception hosted here by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.

ELCA News Service