Episcopal Peace Fellowship   Palestine-Israel Network

April 15, 2011

The Honorable Michael Oren

Israeli Ambassador to the US

3514 International Way, NW

Washington, DC  20008

Dear Ambassador Oren:

The Palestine-Israel Network of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship was created to promote a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.  As its convener, I speak for the Network in urging you to intervene to make it possible for Palestinian Christians to travel to Jerusalem for Holy Week celebrations, starting this Sunday, April 17 (Palm Sunday), and including April 24 (Easter).  In the past, Christians have been required to apply for Israeli military-issued permits to access their holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem.  We hear from our friends that only 2000-3000 receive permits.  We believe this permit system instated by Israel is in obvious violation of the ICPRR, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international covenants and treaties to which Israel is a signatory.  Palestinians naturally oppose the imposition of a permit/quota system to access their churches and shrines.  In addition, since Easter coincides with the Jewish Passover holiday, a military closure is usually imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, automatically canceling permits.

Israel allows – no, invites - internationals like citizens of the US to attend these celebrations.  We strongly urge you to invite native Palestinians to attend as well.  We also urge you to invite Palestinian Muslims to attend their religious celebrations, and to remove all barriers that have been constructed within the (pre-1967) borders, so that Palestinians can move about Palestinian territory without the presence of the Israeli military.  We do not like to see any religious group - Jewish, Christian or Muslim - treated in this way.  We hope you will give this matter serious consideration.

Sincerely yours,

The Rev. Cotton Fite, Convener

Palestine-Israel Network

Episcopal Peace Fellowship, USA