GC33 Middle East 1990

WHEREAS the concern of The United Church of Canada for the rights of people was clearly expressed by the 28th General Council in 1980 when it said “violations of the rights of humanity in community are part of the sin against God”;

WHEREAS in the world today The United Church of Canada is aware of continuing violations against the rights of people in such places as China, South Korea, South Africa, Chile and El Salvador and kept informed by partner churches;

WHEREAS the United Church has a history of interest in the Middle East; for example, in response to the Suez Crisis of 1956, General Council declared “a just and impartial friendship to all peoples of the Middle East”;

WHEREAS The United Church of Canada was influenced by the leadership of Al Forrest as editor of The Observer who encouraged the Church to consider the plight of the Palestinians;

WHEREAS Canadians have had direct contact with the Middle East through being part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces and through many visits to the historic sites of our Christian faith in the Holy Land;

WHEREAS Canadian churches also have an association with Christians in the Middle East through the Middle East Council of Churches and The United Church of Canada is presently supporting the work of Doug DuCharme with the Council:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The United Church of Canada be encourage to uphold in its prayers and in continuing solidarity the churches and peoples in the Middle East; and that the 33rd General Council adopt as its own the Canadian Council of Churches’ statement on the Middle East; and that the 33rd General Council, through its Interchurch-Interfaith Committee, encourage dialogue among faith groups in Canada on the Middle East:

• encourage any members of The United Church of Canada who are going on or leading tours to the Holy Land to contact the Middle East Council of Churches for guidance;

• encourage United Church of Canada congregations to become involved in informing themselves and the general public about the situation in the Middle East;

• urge the Government of Canada to work for a just solution in all Middle East conflicts including voting at the United Nations in support of an international peace conference.

General Council: 33rd General Council, 1990

Record of Proceedings Page Ref. 1990 ROP, pp. 85-86.