Jim Fine Joins Coalition of Religious Leaders to Urge Obama to Lift Gaza Blockade and Pursue Middle East Peace

May 19, 2009

FCNL's Legislative Secretary on Foreign Policy Jim Fine attended a May 14-15 meeting at the Carter Center to discuss what the United States should do to achieve a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jim Fine attended as the Chair of the board of Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition of 22 national churches and religious organizations advocating for a negotiated two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jim signed a letter issued by the participants expressing support for President Obama's efforts to push for a two-state solution and an immediate opening of the Gaza borders.

A diverse group of Christian leaders took part in the two days of discussion at the Carter Center on the Israel/Palestine conflict. More information about the conference can be found at the Carter Center's website here.

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May 15, 2009

Dear President Obama,

We are a diverse group of Christian leaders convened in Atlanta, who have been meeting for the past two days. As you prepare for meetings with Israeli, Palestinian and other Arab leaders, we offer you our support, encouragement and commitment. We have heard testimony consistent with the experiences of our churches in the Holy Land about a growing sense of despair. Yet, at this meeting we sense a rising hope. That hope is grounded in the growing consensus across the Christian community that supports a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the new leadership that you bring, both of which will make more possible a real, just and lasting two-state solution and an end to conflict in the region that upholds the security and freedom of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Our pledge to you is to continue to build constituencies that will advocate for a just political settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We request that you call upon Prime Minister Netanyahu to embrace the principle of a two state solution. As members of your administration have already suggested, we share a concern about how Israeli settlements make that solution less and less possible. Furthermore, we are concerned that a way be found immediately to open the Gaza borders in a manner that respects both humanitarian and security concerns.

We are committed to an ongoing conversation with you about achieving the solution we can no longer postpone. Know that we are praying for you in these critical meetings.

The Rev. Dr Fahed Abu-Akel, Presbyterian Minister, Executive Director of AMIS, Inc, and Moderator of the 214th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Rev. Dr. Jimmy R. Allen, Coordinator, New Baptist Covenant

Randall C. Bailey, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Hebrew Bible, Interdenominational Theological Center

The Rev. Bruce Burnside, Bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Ambassador Warren Clark, Director, Churches for Middle East Peace

The Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani, Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem

Todd Deatherage, Executive Director, The Kairos Project

Dr. Joy Fenner, President, Baptist General Convention of Texas

Jim Fine, Friends Committee on National Legislation; Chairman of the Board, Churches for Middle East Peace

Ms. Beth Fogg, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

The Rev. Dr. David Goatley, President, Lott Carey Baptist Missionary Convention

Dr. Marsha Snulligan Haney, Professor of Missiology and Religions of the World, Interdenominational Theological Center

The Rev Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Lynne Hybels, Advocate for Global Engagement, Willow Creek Community Church

The Rev. Charles Jones, Area Director for Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, American Baptist Foreign Mission Society

Gregory Khalil, President, The Kairos Project

The Rev. John McCullough, Executive Director and CEO, Church World Service

The Rev. Dr. Kathy Nelson, Pastor, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and F.I.S.H. Foundation

The Rev. Gradye Parsons, General Assembly Stated Clerk for the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

The Rev Canon John L. Peterson, Canon for Global Justice and Reconciliation, Washington National Cathedral

Dr. Bob Roberts, Jr., Founder and Senior Pastor, North Wood Church

Leila Sansour, Executive Director, Open Bethlehem

Julie Schumacher-Cohen, Deputy Director, Churches for Middle East Peace

The Rev. Dr. William Shaw, President of National Baptist Convention, Inc.

Ron Sider, Professor at Palmer Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, and President of Evangelicals for Social Action

Jim Wall, Contributing Editor, Christian Century and former Editor

Jim Wallis, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sojourners

Ambassador Phil Wilcox, Director, Foundation for Middle East Peace

The Rev. Robina Marie Winbush, Associate Stated Clerk and Director, Department of Ecumenical and Agency Relations, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)