Friday, July 21, 2006
Speaking of Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East, this just in from them as they apply a "Just War" standard: An Open Letter to American Churches Regarding the Escalating Conflict in the Middle East
Rev. Peter Pettit, Director of the Institute for Jewish Christian Understanding at Muhlenberg College says, "In light of the amount of collateral damage, especially in Lebanon, Christians will understandably raise questions regarding proportionate response. This is not fundamentally anti-Israel, but grows out of the 'just war' tradition. Legitimate military objectives must be pursued with every effort to limit collateral damage and cannot include actions that in any way amount to collective punishment."
"Coming to a reasoned conclusion to this question requires an understanding of the history and nature of Hezbollah," says Sr. Ruth Lautt, National Director of Fair Witness.
"Hezbollah, which operates with Syrian and especially Iranian backing, supports the destruction of the state of Israel and co- operates with other militant Islamic organizations such as Hamas in order to promote this goal," says Sr. Lautt. "It has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the European Parliament, and has repeatedly taken credit for attacks against Israeli military and civilian targets. Hezbollah also presents a serious threat to legitimate Christian interests in Lebanon."...
..."A distinction must be made as to how the different armies are dealing with civilian populations. There has not been a single report of damage done to an Israeli army base, airport, power station, bus station, refinery or factory. With two exceptions, every Hezbollah rocket has been aimed at civilian targets. On the other hand, while Hezbollah operates from civilian areas, making it impossible to avoid civilians entirely, Israel has specifically targeted legitimate military objectives, and has leafleted areas prior to bombing, warning civilians to get out of harm's way."
All of these "on the ground" realities must be considered in determining a proportionate and morally acceptable response by both the Lebanese government and Israel to Hezbollah at this time...
While we're on this track, don't miss this description of the "Night to Honor Israel," sponsored by Christians United for Israel: What a ‘Night to Honor Israel:’ The CUFI Washington Summit Dinner in DC
By the way, for much of the story behind some of the characters of CUFI -- a roll-call that contains some names that tend to send many American Jews into an irrational tizzy -- I highly recommend the book Standing with Israel: Why Christians Support the Jewish State by David Brog.
