JCA Response to Peter Makari’s Letter in Cleveland Jewish News

 Posted August 19, 2005

Background: Peter Makari, Executive, Middle East and Europe of the Common Global Ministries Board recently responded to coverage of the United Church of Christ in the Clevland Jewish news with a letter claiming the paper mischaracterized the denomination’s stance on Israel. The letter can be seen here. Here is a response written by Dexter Van Zile, a member of the UCC and director of the Judeo-Christian Alliance:

To the Editor:

Peter Makari's recent letter about the language of the divestment resolution passed by the United Church of Christ in July asks readers to believe the resolution in question was not directed at Israel when in fact it was. The resolution was passed after a long campaign of misinformation about Israel's defense policies, orchestrated in large part by Makari himself. Moreover, it was passed alongside a patently racist "Tear Down the Wall” resolution that asked Israel to take down the separation barrier without asking Palestinians to stop suicide bombings.

The real issue however, is not the language of the resolution, but the dishonest and hostile narrative about the Arab/Israeli conflict offered by Makari and the Common Global Ministries Board which serves the Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ – two denominations that have passed patently anti-Israel resolutions.

If Makari and the churches he serves were truly interested in peace, they would be just as specific in pointing out problems with the Palestinian Authority as they are Israeli defense policies. They would condemn incitement on Palestinian television and bemoan the corruption of the Palestinian Authority. Instead, Makari shills for the cause of Palestinian nationalism while wrapping his message in the language of Christian witness.

If the UCC takes interfaith relations seriously, as Makari asserts, how does he explain the CGMB's affiliation with Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem? Sabeel's founder, Anglican canon Naim Ateek, has on repeated occasions, invoked imagery previously used to blame the Jews for the death of Christ. For example, Ateek has written "The Israeli government crucifixion system is operating daily. Palestine has become the place of the skull.”

Jews in Cleveland have every reason to be outraged at the United Church of Christ and should not be fooled by Makari's shucking and jiving. The resolution of which he writes was a divestment resolution and it was directed at Israel. End of story.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dexter Van Zile
Boston, Mass.