Dozens of Christian leaders from mostly moderate to left-leaning denominations signed onto a letter, urging President Bush to rededicate himself to the establishment of Middle East Peace, January 21, 2005. The letter, posted as a full-page ad in today’s US national edition of The New York Times, was spearheaded by the ecumenical "Churches for Middle East Peace" group, and was designed to be an "inaugural letter" to the newly re-elected President.
"As leaders of Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Churches and Christian organisations with millions of members across the country, we encourage you to lead a political process that will end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," the letter began. "As you begin your second term, the vision of a two-state solution is coming back into focus after having faded into obscurity."
Many of the signatories, including National Council of Churches USA General Secretary Robert Edgar, has not been shy in the past in criticizing the evangelical President on many occasions. From issues stretching from the war in Iraq to the prisoners of Guantanamo Bay, the bulk of the signers expressed certain displeasure with the Bush administration’s handling of foreign affairs.
Today’s open letter was much more gracious in its appeal for peace than were past letters written by some of the signers.
"For the sake of our own country as well, Mr. President, we appeal to you. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become a threat to the people of the United States," the letter read. "The continuing conflict has also resulted in suffering and loss of life among Israeli citizens. We want Israelis, too, to live without fear or threat in their own country"
Taking note of the overall theme in President Bush’s reelection campaign, the leaders urged Bush to "defeat terror" by "maintaining the faith, the courage and the resolve" to work with others in implementing the Road-map to peace.
