Isaiah 58, a group of Lutherans working for peace and justice in the Holy Land, welcomes today’s overwhelming approval by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) of a resolution calling on the US government to end aid to Israel until the latter freezes the construction of settlements on occupied Palestinian land, which violate longstanding official US policy and international law, and are a major obstacle to peace in the Holy Land. The vote on resolution C1, which took place at the ELCA’s triennial Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans, was 751 (82%) in favor, and 162 opposed.
Currently, the US gives more than $3 billion in military aid to Israel annually, without which it could not maintain its occupation of Palestinian lands, which entered its 50th year in June. The ELCA has long opposed Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise and supported nonviolent action in support of Palestinian rights. Today’s vote represents a continuation of the ELCA’s efforts to help bring about peace, justice, and equality for all the peoples of Israel and Palestine.
Isaiah 58 is a group of ELCA Lutherans who advocate for a more engaged church response to calls from Palestinians for an end to Israel’s occupation and a just peace for both Israel and Palestine.
Press Contact:
Dale Loepp: deloepp@gmail.com
