The National Capital Presbytery overtures the 218th General Assembly to be a voice for the victims of violence in both Israel and Palestine. We ask PCUSA members, congregations, committees and other entities to become non-partisan advocates for peace.

As such, we will not over-identify with the realities of the Israelis or Palestinians. Instead, we will identify with and support peacemaking voices in the midst of horrific acts of violence and terror.

We will focus our energy on the United States government, demanding that it assume an intensive and unrelenting role as a peacemaker, bringing together the opposing parties in forums where reasonable people can reach reasonable compromises about highly complex issues.

We will condemn all acts of violence against innocent civilians. We will not take stands that simplify a very complex situation into a caricature of reality where one side is clearly at fault and the other side clearly the victim.

This overture represents a humble confession of the very limited role the PCUSA can play in solving the problems in the Middle East. Seeking to be part of the solution rather than enflaming the problems, we will join with and support any and all others in the world who seek a solution that creates two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and justice. To those who cling to narrow self-interests, we will prophetically question such a stance.

 
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