How to understand the Statement of the Patriarchs, bishops and the People of Jerusalem, and see the real will of those who write it for peace and Justice in the Holy Land.

On September 29, 1996 The Patriarchs, Bishops, clergy and people of Jerusalem made a peaceful march to the Tunnel that Prime Minister Netanyaho opened. They wrote a statement that was sent world wide.The USA, who should help to resolve the problem could not press Israel to close the Tunnel after hundreds were killed because of the tunnel. Will The USA be able to stop the buildings in Jerusalem before any new wave of violence. We pray the USA government to stop all kind of violence. Confiscating lands and building on them is a real violence to fundamental Palestinian rights.

Please USA. help Jerusalem to stay a HOLY CITY and not a VIOLENT CITY.

In fact: In their Statement after a peaceful Walk in Jerusalem the Patriarchs, Bishops, Clergy and People of the Christian Churches of Jerusalem underlined very important issues, please read the Statement, it will help you to understand the will of those who wrote it for Justice and comprehensive peace in the Holy Land:

What the statement said is very important to be studied:

1- The Statement calls for: JERUSALEM FIRST. "JERUSALEM IS NOW A PRIORITY. IT IS THE HEART OF CONFLICT AND THE KEY TO PEACE...If Israel maintains an exclusive sovereignty over the city, and continues its "Judaization", Jerusalem will never be the city of Peace. Any peace imposed by the iron first will remain a fake and temporary peace. Jews will never feel secure and Palestinians will never submit to it. We therefore insist on an open Jerusalem, the capital for two states; a city that will be a model for the peaceful coexistence between two peoples, Palestinian and Israelis.

Thus, Jerusalem will become a genuine symbol of authentic brotherhood and tolerance between the three faiths: Islam, Judaism and Christianity"

a- We do not understand then, why Israel, is afraid of peace. We do not understand why Israel is looking for the needed security, and does not want the same security for the Palestinians. We do not understand why Jerusalem as capital for Palestine as well Capital of Israel is A TREATING FOR THE SECURITY OF THE JEWS. We do not understand why building in East Jerusalem (Arab Jerusalem) is so important and so urgent for Israel, there is enough and plenty of room to build in West Jerusalem (Jewish Jerusalem), why they do not go there and build.

b- The Statement is clear. Christians and Muslims call for Jerusalem as Capital of the two States: Israel and Palestine. Israel has to change its attitude. USA has to help Israel to see clear that Palestinians are their neighbors for ever, it is better to have them as friends than enemies. The security of Israel is rather threatened when they do not accept the reality of the HISTORY. Palestinians will be there for ever and will be one day in a bigger number than the Israelis. "We urge the Israeli government to change its attitude and purify its motives", says the Statement

2- The Statement of September 29, quoted a verse from Prophet Isaiah 32:17. This prophet is the prophet of the Jews, Christians and Muslims. He said "The effect of Justice will be peace and the result of justice, quietness and security forever".

a- This means that the formula of Prime Minister Netanyaho, SECURITY for PEACE is not the good one, with respect to the Prime minister point of view. He is not a Prophet, his words are not the word of God pronounced to be taken as it is, as Jews, Christians and Muslims would accept. Should we believe the Word of God or Prime Minister Netanyaho.

b- When the Word of God says that : "The effect of Justice is PEACE and the RESULT of JUSTICE, quietness and SECURITY forever" Isaiah 32:17. The Word of God, in naming JUSTICE, putting all people at the same level. The Statement says: "There is no difference in God's eyes between Jews and Palestinians, between Arab and foreigner. God is the Creator of ALL...". BECAUSE JUSTICE IS FOR ALL, speaks to all at the same level; but security does not speak that way. It makes the other person under the mercy of him who has power. That is why in the name of security the Israelis, because they are more powerful than the Palestinians, by their arms and the Media are confiscating lands, in the name of security they are destroying houses, taking the ID's from the residents of Jerusalem, closing the Holy City and Judaizing it. SECURITY means the domination of the powerful over the weak, when JUSTICE means equality in front of the law, national and international, human or divine. "God does not accept, says the Statement. the domination of the powerful or their arrogance".

c- Then, the right thing to say is JUSTICE FOR PEACE, and not at all Security for Peace. The Partners of peace said Land for Peace. And achieving security for the Israelis cannot become a reality without insuring JUSTICE and SECURITY for the Palestinians. Why the Israelis are afraid to give JUSTICE and SECURITY for the Palestinians, the Syrians and the Lebanese, if their claims of their needed Security is really just and right. We do want SECURITY for the Israelis, we are not anti-Semite, we are not anti-Jewish, or terrorists as they claim; we are peacemakers, we are people who are looking for our SECURITY as much as the Israeli needs it, but we need it as says the Statement of the Patriarchs and Bishops of the Holy Land, a security based on JUSTICE: "Peace and security in our country cannot prevail unless they are established on Justice. We believe that God is the God of Justice and righteousness".

3- The Statement shows that Israel is not a real democratic country. The USA repeats always this slogan: "Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East". "A just and democratic government does not violate the religious sensibility of others", says the Statement.

a- In fact what democracy is this, when you oppress a people, a whole people: Palestinians are second class, they do not have the right to return to their own cities and villages, when any Jew from any part of the world could come and get an ID, a house and a work, even if his grand grand fathers have never knew that Israel have ever existed? What democracy when the Palestinians in within Israel of 1948 do not have the same rights as the Israelis? What democracy, when the Israelis themselves are manifesting against the policy of their own country, when the International Community is telling them that what they are doing is against human rights and international law, that building in Jerusalem on confiscated Arab lands is against fundamental human Palestinian rights, when the Israeli government refuses the international and national consensus on fundamental issues that could pre-empty the peace process?

b- What kind of democracy is that, when we impose our views, our policy, our army over the will of States, Governments, Organizations and People!!

4- The Statement is an answer to the International Christian embassy of Jerusalem, to those Christian-Zionist and fundamentalist who invited Prime Minister Netanyaho to speak out and say that; "I will not close the tunnel, I will not...". Those people do not represent the Christians of the Middle East and Jerusalem. Please stop trying to divide Christians between themselves and Christians from their brothers the Muslims in the Middle East and Palestine.

a- "Christians of the Middle East are part of the Arab World. Therefore their position reflect that of their people as a whole over the Peace Process. As such, they accept the challenges of their belonging to their people in conflict with another people. They are now intensively present in the peace process as they are present among opposition. They were intensively present in the political resistance to the occupation as well. They are present now for the reconciliation". ( Roman Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem: Michel Sabbah, 1995). Christians and Muslims have martyrs who died for the sake of PEACE and JUSTICE in the Arab World and Palestine.

b- Christians of the Middle East do not need the poison of some Zionist-Christians coming from outside. The time of colonization is finished. We do want to love our brothers the Muslims as we do want to love our brother the Jews. We do not accept the Christian Zionist fundamental view that "Israel should exist to fulfill the prophecies and all Israel should become Christian before the coming of the Messiah". This is using the Israelis and the Jews, this is not helping them as people. We the Christians of the middle East and in Holy Land refuse this kind of Christianism.

c- We refuse to make from our partners for peace, the Israelis, again our enemies. We are not anti-Semite, anti-Jewish, we are again and again a people who is seeking JUSTICE and PEACE. The PLO, the Arab Countries, Muslim and Christians tried to forget the old times and build a new future.

d- Stop violence! Any kind of violence perpetuate violence! The Statement do not call for VIOLENCE but for PEACE "We urge the Israeli government, says the Statement, to abstain from the confiscation of land, to return confiscated land to its rightful owners, to stop the demolition of homes, to release all prisoners and detainees, to remove road blocks, and respect all signed agreements. We call upon the Israeli government to close the recently opened tunnel, to refrain from causing insult and humiliation to the Palestinian people, and treat the Palestinians as genuine partners, who are seeking a life of freedom and dignity in their own country and on their own land". "Time is not working with or for the peacemakers. Rather, time is costing immeasurable pain and sufferings, says Patriarch Michel Sabbah, and is benefiting fundamentalism and violence. We do not want that violence to be the only language that moves issues and alert the authorities; but let wise determination and good intentions the motive for moving the PEACE PROCESS".

Rev. Dr. Labib Kobti

The Statement

1- The Statement calls for: JERUSALEM FIRST. "JERUSALEM IS NOW A PRIORITY. IT IS THE HEART OF CONFLICT AND THE KEY TO PEACE...If Israel maintains an exclusive sovereignty over the city, and continues its "Judaization", Jerusalem will never be the city of Peace. Any peace imposed by the iron first will remain a fake and temporary peace. Jews will never feel secure and Palestinians will never submit to it. We therefore insist on an open Jerusalem, the capital for two states; a city that will be a model for the peaceful coexistence between two peoples, Palestinian and Israelis. Thus, Jerusalem will become a genuine symbol of authentic brotherhood and tolerance between the three faiths: Islam, Judaism and Christianity"

a- We do not understand then, why Israel, is afraid of peace. We do not understand why Israel is looking for the needed security, and do not want the same security for the Palestinians. We do not understand why Jerusalem as capital for Palestine as well Capital of Israel is A TREATING FOR THE SECURITY OF THE JEWS. We do not understand why building in East Jerusalem (Arab Jerusalem) is so important and so urgent for Israel, there is enough and plenty of room to build in West Jerusalem (Jewish Jerusalem), why they do not go there and build.

b- The Statement is clear. Christians and Muslims call for Jerusalem as Capital of the two States: Israel and Palestine. Israel has to change its attitude. USA has to help Israel to see clear that Palestinians are their neighbors for ever, it is better to have them as friends than enemies. The security of Israel is rather threatened when they do not accept the reality of the HISTORY. Palestinians will be there for ever and will be one day in a bigger number than the Israelis. "We urge the Israeli government to change its attitude and purify its motives", says the Statement

2- The Statement of September 29, quoted a verse from Prophet Isaiah 32:17. This prophet is the prophet of the Jews, Christians and Muslims. He said "The effect of Justice will be peace and the result of justice, quietness and security forever".

a- This means that the formula of Prime Minister Netanyaho, SECURITY for PEACE is not the good one, with respect to the Prime minister point of view. He is not a Prophet, his words are not the word of God pronounced to be taken as it is, as Jews, Christians and Muslims would accept. Should we believe the Word of God or Prime Minister Netanyaho.

b- When the Word of God says that : "The effect of Justice is PEACE and the RESULT of JUSTICE, quietness and SECURITY forever" Isaiah 32:17. The Word of God, in naming JUSTICE, putting all people at the same level. The Statement says: "There is no difference in God's eyes between Jews and Palestinians, between Arab and foreigner. God is the Creator of ALL...". BECAUSE JUSTICE IS FOR ALL, speaks to all at the same level; but security does not speak that way. It makes the other person under the mercy of he who has power. That is why in the name of security the Israelis, because they are more powerful than the Palestinians, by their arms and the Media are confiscating lands, in the name of security they are destroying houses, taking the ID's from the residents of Jerusalem, closing the Holy City and Judaizing it. SECURITY means the domination of the powerful over he who is weak, when JUSTICE means equality in front of the law, national and international, human or divine. "God does not accept, says the Statement. the domination of the powerful or their arrogance".

c- Then, the right thing to say is JUSTICE FOR PEACE, and not at all Security for Peace. The Partners of peace said Land for Peace. And achieving security for the Israelis cannot become a reality without insuring JUSTICE and SECURITY for the Palestinians. Why the Israelis are afraid to give JUSTICE and SECURITY for the Palestinians, the Syrians and the Lebanese, if their claims of their needed Security is really just and right. We do want SECURITY for the Israelis, we are not anti-Semite, we are not anti-Jewish, or terrorists as they claim; we are peacemakers, we are people who are looking for our SECURITY as much as the Israeli needs it, but we need it as says the Statement of the Patriarchs and Bishops of the Holy Land, a security based on JUSTICE: "Peace and security in our country cannot prevail unless they are established on Justice. We believe that God is the God of Justice and righteousness".

3- The Statement shows that Israel is not a real democratic country. The USA repeats always this slogan: "Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East". "A just and democratic government does not violate the religious sensibility of others", says the Statement.

a- In fact what democracy is this, when you oppress a people, a whole people: Palestinians are second class, they do not have the right to return to their own cities and villages, when any Jew from any part of the world could come and get an ID, a house and a work, even if his grand grand fathers have never knew that Israel have ever existed? What democracy when the Palestinians in within Israel of 1948 do not have the same rights as the Israelis? What democracy, when the Israelis themselves are manifesting against the policy of their own country, when the International Community is telling them that what they are doing is against human rights and international law, that building in Jerusalem on confiscated Arab lands is against fundamental human Palestinian rights, when the Israeli government refuses the international and national consensus on fundamental issues that could pre-empty the peace process?

b- What kind of democracy is that, when we impose our views, our policy, our army over the will of States, Governments, Organizations and People!!

4- The Statement is an answer to the International Christian embassy of Jerusalem, to those Christian-Zionist and fundamentalist who invited Prime Minister Netanyaho to speak out and say that; "I will not close the tunnel, I will not...". Those people do not represent the Christians of the Middle East and Jerusalem. Please stop trying to divide Christians between themselves and Christians from their brothers the Muslims in the Middle East and Palestine.

a- "Christians of the Middle East are part of the Arab World. Therefore their position reflect that of their people as a whole over the Peace Process. As such, they accept the challenges of their belonging to their people in conflict with another people. They are now intensively present in the peace process as they are present among opposition. They were intensively present in the political resistance to the occupation as well. They are present now for the reconciliation". ( Roman Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem: Michel Sabbah, 1995). Christians and Muslims have martyrs who died for the sake of PEACE and JUSTICE in the Arab World and Palestine.

b- Christians of the Middle East do not need the poison of some Zionist-Christians coming from outside. The time of colonization is finished. We do want to love our brothers the Muslims as we do want to love our brother the Jews. We do not accept the Christian Zionist fundamental view that "Israel should exist to fulfill the prophecies and all Israel should become Christian before the coming of the Messiah". This is using the Israelis and the Jews, this is not helping them as people. We the Christians of the middle East and in Holy Land refuse this kind of Christianism.

c- We refuse to make from our partners for peace, the Israelis, again our enemies. We are not anti-Semite, anti-Jewish, we are again and again a people who is seeking JUSTICE and PEACE. The PLO, the Arab Countries, Muslim and Christians tried to forget the old times and build a new future. d- Stop violence! Any kind of violence perpetuate violence! The Statement do not call for VIOLENCE but for PEACE "We urge the Israeli government, says the Statement, to abstain from the confiscation of land, to return confiscated land to its rightful owners, to stop the demolition of homes, to release all prisoners and detainees, to remove road blocks, and respect all signed agreements. We call upon the Israeli government to close the recently opened tunnel, to refrain from causing insult and humiliation to the Palestinian people, and treat the Palestinians as genuine partners, who are seeking a life of freedom and dignity in their own country and on their own land". "Time is not working with or for the peacemakers. Rather, time is costing immeasurable pain and sufferings, says Patriarch Michel Sabbah, and is benefiting fundamentalism and violence. We do not want that violence to be the only language that moves issues and alert the authorities; but let wise determination and good intentions the motive for moving the PEACE PROCESS".

Rev. Dr. Labib Kobti