2000-3

Purpose:         To bring awareness to the continuing conflict between Israel and Palestine and encourage LSM to voice its concern for the increasing violence.

WHEREAS,   over 300 people have been killed in clashes between Israelis and Palestinians since the end of September and over 9,000 Palestinians have been injured during the same fighting;

WHEREAS,     the United States government has blamed only the Palestinians for the increase in violence, expressing the United States support of Israel in legislation such as H. Con. Res 418 and H.Con.Res.426;

WHEREAS,     Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have endured curfews and limited road access that make it hard to go to work, school, hospitals, or get needed supplies;

WHEREAS,     most of the 200 Palestinians killed during the violence have been unarmed against Israeli soldiers, who receive the majority of their weapons from the United States;

WHEREAS,     most American media sources report biased stories, blaming the Palestinians for the violence;

WHEREAS,     the Lutheran church has strong ties with the people of Palestine through its colleges, missionaries, and the Augusta Victoria Hospital.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:

1.  LSM-USA acknowledge its support for fair media reporting of the events in Palestine and Israel;

2.  LSM-USA support the Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East by encouraging its members to participate on their state’s day;

3.   LSM-USA further support the Prayer Vigil by declaring the 1st day of each month to be a day for LSM members to pray for peace in the Middle East, beginning with the last day of the conference and continuing until peace is achieved;

4.  LSM-USA encourage its members to email the president of the United States and respective members of Congress on an agreed upon day (ex. February 1st.), asking for their attention to the need for a peace agreement;

5.  LSM-USA will make every effort to inform members and others on our campuses about the biased information American news sources give to the American people.

Author:  Christina Hansen
Sponsored by: Wartburg Campus Ministry  

Waverly IA 50677