On Your Behalf - December Report

Delegation of U.S. Jewish and Christian Leaders Embark on Peace Trip to the Middle East

This past September, Corporate Relations Director Vidette Bullock Mixon, at the invitation of General Secretary Jim Winkler of the General Board of Church and Society, joined a delegation of 16 leaders from Jewish and Christian denominations on a weeklong trip from the U.S. to the Middle East aimed at gaining a better understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and at mobilizing the faith groups to advocate for a two-state solution. The group met with civil, religious and political leaders, as well as students and United Nations representatives in both Israel and Palestinian territories.

This trip was an important opportunity for the group to begin working towards an understanding of how people of diverse faiths in the Holy Land—sacred to Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths—can achieve autonomy and security. From the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits' (General Board) perspective, the trip also was integral to the assessment of the companies doing business in the region and how they might be encouraged to play a role in supporting the process toward peace between Israel and Palestine.

Overall, it was a positive trip albeit with moments of intensity and tension as the delegation heard first-hand accounts of individuals who have been adversely impacted by the conflict in the Middle East. Such stories, include those of families who have lost loved ones in suicide bombings or that of a Palestinian man who told of how his home had been demolished seven times. In spite of these tragedies, the group also heard and saw hopeful actions being taken such as a youth interfaith soccer team that is bringing people of diverse faiths together. The entire delegation concurred that the five-day visit succeeded in strengthening ties and proving that Christians and Jews can work together to seek peace even when there is disagreement on specific policies and solutions.

The trip to Jerusalem comes just one year after a number of protestant denominations (Episcopal, United Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) established various positions on their response to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. As you may recall, the October 2004 On Your Behalf column reiterated the General Board's position established by the 2004 General Conference of The United Methodist Church:

"We seek for all people in the region an end to military occupation, freedom from violence and full respect for the human rights of all under international law" (Resolution 312).

The 2008 General Conference may elect to revise The United Methodist Church's position on the Middle East. Our agency, along with the General Board of Church and Society, the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, is monitoring the situation closely. The delegation's trip to Jerusalem marks just one action taken towards securing first-hand knowledge and building upon the continuing dialogue that seeks to advocate for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Although the Israeli-Palestinian situation is very complex, we at the General Board and across the denomination believe that people of goodwill should not concede inevitable discord, but instead continue to advocate for peaceful coexistence among all of Abraham's descendents.

For more information on the trip, read the UMNS Article.