Peace, Palestine and Principles
First Universalist Unitarian Church

Wausau, Wisconsin

August 19, 2007

Prelude: peace songs

Opening Words: 438

Welcome

Announcements

Chalice Lighting        453 – John Faville

Introduction to the concept of Shalom

To be a seeker of peace is to make a choice for the good and for life. The Hebrew prophets who followed Moses made quite clear what the Lord required of the people.

They were to live by the Torah. They were "to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk modestly with your God" (Micah 6:8, JPS).

In the Hebrew Scriptures, shalom is a gift from God, inclusive of all creation, grounded in salvation and covenantal fidelity, and inextricably bound up with justice.

Amos spoke for the Lord, warning the people:

Responsive Reading 582, Divine Justice

In our time the ancient dispute between Israelis and Palestinians over the Promised Land continues to resist the best efforts of peace­makers. One mother describes the peace that Israelis and Palestinians yearn for:

Peace is the feeling that you are not threatened, that your chil­dren are not threatened and that your grandchildren might live in a peaceful environment. When you don't have to worry about your children going out, whether they will come back safe. This is the peace we seek.

But this peace is elusive. In recent years the use by the Israelis of their superior military power (provided by the U.S.) over the Palestinians has provoked much criticism of Israeli military actions. Swift and overwhelming Israeli retaliation against Palestinians and group punishment for acts of violence  has led to condemnation of the Israeli's disproportionate use of force. A video from our church library will graphically demonstrate that.

Our UU Principles call on us to promote:

1.                  The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

2.                  Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

3.                  Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

4.                  A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

5.                  The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

6.                  The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

7.                  Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

What does it mean to say that we will “promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all? What have any of us actually done, other than wish for it? What can we do?

Toward Peace and Justice in the Middle East  Action of Immediate Witness

Therefore, be it resolved that the 2002 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges the following principles as a basis for action by the governments of the United States and Canada:

8.                  Freedom from occupation and equal rights for all, including the right to exist in peace and security.

9.                  Opposition to Israeli settlements, land confiscation, house demolitions, and other violations of international law.

10.             Opposition to all attacks on civilians, whether by suicide bombers, F-16 or helicopter gunships, or any other means.

11.             Support for a central United Nations role in efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.

Be it further resolved that the 2002 General Assembly calls on

12.             the Israeli government to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention and international law;

13.             Palestinians to immediately stop suicide bombings and all attacks on Israeli civilians;

14.             the United States government to

1.                  "suspend all transfers of those types of weapons and munitions used to commit human rights violations until Israel is clearly in compliance with the terms for arms transfers as expressed in United States law and bilateral agreements," as Amnesty International has called for, and

2.                  work within the United Nations for a just peace that includes two viable secure states, Israel and Palestine, based on the 1967 borders, with mutual relations based on sovereignty and equality; and

15.             our congregations to:

·        become educated on Middle East issues and engage in honest conversation;

·        redouble their efforts for peace based on the goal of justice and human rights for all;

·        support actions of the anti-occupation Israeli peace activists, including Rabbis for Human Rights and the Israeli reserve officers who refuse to serve in the Occupied Territories;

·        encourage Jewish Americans and others who support Israel but oppose its occupation of Palestine; and

·        condemn and oppose expressions and acts of anti-Semitism and acts of terror against Jews, Palestinians, or Arabs and their legitimate institutions wherever they may occur.

Jean Zaru video,

 What Americans Need to Know about Israel’s Occupation of Palestine

Jean Zaru is a Quaker and internationally known peace activist and speaker on the Palestinian struggle for justice.  (available from the church library)

Sending song:           169 We Shall Overcome

Benediction:              707