In anticipation of our Church's Executive Council meeting February 25 - 27, as a Palestinian American and a member of PIN's Steering Committee, Grace Saïd wrote the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem asking that he encourage Bishop Katharine and the Executive Council to sine the October 5 letter to Congress from 15 religious leaders.

January 31, 2013

Dear Bishop Suheil:

Salamat!   I hope this message finds you well.

I write to you today as an American Episcopalian living in the Diaspora.   As you know, I have strong links to the Diocese of Jerusalem and the people of Palestine.  Like others, I have worked tirelessly to advance the cause of justice and to challenge the current public discourse on Palestine in the US.  I have done this as a volunteer, just as others, Christians and Muslims alike, have done so in their capacity as private citizens and members of faith-based and secular non-profit organizations that support the cause of justice.

In the absence of any results from an endless peace process, the mainline Protestant churches in the US have taken great risks to promote peace through justice between Palestinians and Israelis.  They have done so knowing full well that the backlash from powerful organizations in the US would be unforgiving and relentless.  Yet they have persisted knowing that it is their calling as Christians.

On October 5, 2012 fifteen Christian leaders wrote a courageous and groundbreaking letter to members of Congress requesting a review of military aid to Israel.  The letter was based entirely on US law, which, more often than not, is overlooked when it comes to Israel’s human rights record.

Tragically, the Episcopal Church was not a signatory to the letter.

Last week, a group of prominent Episcopalian clergy and lay members presented “A Prophetic Challenge to the Executive Council .  Coinciding with the Martin Luther King Day commemorations, the letter requested that the Episcopal Church support the October 5 letter of the fifteen leaders.  It also requested that Executive Council move forward with the Episcopal Church’s corporate engagement policy.

Bishop Suheil:  I turn to you now to ask that you join your fellow Episcopalians in urging Bishop Katharine and the Executive Council to sign on to the October 5 letter on behalf of the Episcopal Church. Your opinion is highly valued and respected.  Your voice weighs heavily on all decisions related to Israel/Palestine, even when those decisions deal with purely US domestic issues.   Your support would embolden the Church leadership to work with others in demanding a review of Israel’s use of foreign aid from our government; it may also persuade them to follow approved policy on corporate engagement.

I am certain your voice will be heard loudly and clearly.  It will surely garner much admiration and support from the countless working with you for a just peace.

I understand and appreciate that your primary accountability as Bishop of Jerusalem is to strengthen the institutions of the diocese; I commend you for this and for your efforts to promote those institutions.  However, institutions, no matter what they are, remain hollow if not accompanied by a charge to advocate for the people they are called to serve.

As is well known, and as you know better than any, the situation in the West Bank, Jerusalem and most especially Gaza, has become increasingly intolerable in recent years. The brutality of the occupation, ever more egregious, and the daily indignities suffered by our Palestinian brothers and sisters are mounting with no end in sight.  We can no longer remain silent and pretend that all is well.  We can no longer assume that by being accommodating, we will avoid the scrutiny of those who will do us harm.  We can no longer engage in interfaith dialogue if it deliberately and willfully avoids a discussion of the most basic principles of justice.

Now is the time for bold and daring steps on behalf of the last and the least.

I close by praying that we continue to work together to secure a just peace in the Holy Land.  I ask that you listen to voices such as my own and other Episcopalians working on behalf of Palestinians, Muslims and Christians alike.  We can only move forward if we work together as one body.

In peace,

Grace