30 September 1996

For three day now we have witnessed ugly scenes of brutality, bloodshed and unnecessary loss of life in the wake of the present Israeli Government's refusal to negotiate with the Palestinians Authority and move towards complete implementation of the Oslo Accords. The continued closure of the West Bank and Gaza, the lack of freedom of movement for Palestinians, the excessive restrictions imposed upon members and officials of the Palestinian Authority entering Gaza, the insistence that Palestinian offices in Jerusalem be closed down, the demolition of Arab property and confiscation of land in and around Jerusalem, the expansion of existing settlements in the West Bank and construction of new ones and the opening of a tunnel under the Haram esh Sharif: all have combined to frustrate and provoke a people whom neither the Government of Israel nor the world can afford to ignore any longer.

The terrible and bloody scenes of violence in the streets of Jerusalem and the towns and cities of the Palestinian Autonomous Arase must stop now. Israel must cease her violation of the Oslo Accords and withdraw its military presence from the Autonomour Areas immediately and allow the PNA to maintain law and order without let or hinderance. The temporary closure of the tunnel under the Haram esh Sharif is an inadequate response to the situation and the Government of Israel should determine now not to re-open the tunnel. To prevent yet more tragic loss of life there must be an immediate resumption of the peace process, adherence to agreements made and the time-table already established for their proper implementation. The negotiations to determine the final status of Jerusalem must be delayed no longer and must respect the just claim of Jews, Muslims and Christians alike. There can be no justice and no peace unless and until unilateral claims to the city sacred to all three faith communities are given up.

We do not deny the legitimate concerns of the Government of Israel to ensure the security of its people, but the security of Israel is dependent upon the recognition of the equally legitimate concerns of the Palestinians people to secure autonomy and the dignity of statehood. The concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians will only be met and satisfied by a return to dialogue and negotiation and an immediate end to the present violence which threatens to disrupt and destroy the increasingly fragile stabililty of the whole region. In urging the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work together to halt the present tragic sequence of events, we urge the United States of America and her co-sponsors, together with other interested governments, to accept their responsibility to encourage and facilitate an immediate resumption of the peace process. Assurances of a commitment to the process are not enough. We need to see progress and action now.

The events of these last days not only threaten the political stability of the region but are a terrible human tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of all those who have died and been injured, both Palestinian and Israeli. Their grief is ours and it cannot be in vain. We witness to the God who brings light out of darkness, hope out of despair and life out of death. With all the peoples of this Land our longing is for light in the present darkness and our desire is that all should have life.

The Rt Revd Samir Kafity
The Rt Revd Riah Abu el Assal