An Evangelical Statement on Israel/Palestine

From: www.christianitytoday.com

As evangelical Christians committed to the full authority of the Scriptures, we feel compelled to make a statement together at this historic moment in the life of the Holy Land.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is near a momentous turning point. The strife has continued—sometimes simmering, sometimes exploding in terrible conflict—for decades.
In the context of our ongoing support for the security of Israel, we believe that unless the situation between Israel and Palestine improves quickly, the consequences will be devastating. Palestinians—especially the youth who have no economic opportunity—are increasingly sympathetic to radical solutions and terrorism. As a result, the threat to Israel's security is now greater.
Likewise, the threat to America's national security is greater. Because so many of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims see America through the prism of Israel-Palestine, the longer the current situation continues, the more likely it is that anti-American attitudes, policies, and terrorist activities will increase dramatically among Muslims worldwide.
As evangelical Christians, we believe our faith compels us to speak a word together at this crucial moment.
The Bible clearly teaches that God longs for justice and peace for all people. We believe that the principles about justice taught so powerfully by the Hebrew prophets apply to all nations, including the United States, Israel, and the Palestinians. Therefore we are compelled to work for a fair, negotiated solution for both Israelis and Palestinians. We resolve to work diligently for a secure, enduring peace and a flourishing economy for the democratic State of Israel. We also resolve to work for a viable permanent, democratic Palestinian State with a flourishing economy that offers economic opportunity to all its people. We believe that the way forward is for the Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a fair, two-state solution.
We are encouraged that the Israeli and Palestinian governments have officially endorsed a two-state solution and that polls demonstrate that solid majorities in both Israel and Palestine embrace this path.
We call on all evangelicals, all Christians, and everyone of good will to join us to work and pray faithfully in the coming months for a just, lasting two-state solution in the Holy Land. We call on all involved governments to work diligently toward this goal. And we covenant to pray for the leaders of all the nations engaged in this effort, hoping for them the blessing of our Lord, who said, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
As we work and pray, we are strengthened by the truth that Christ will return some day to complete his victory over sin and injustice, and we are empowered by the knowledge that until He comes again, He summons us to support the things that promote peace and justice for everyone in the Holy Land.
Signatories of An Evangelical Statement on Israel/Palestine
Thomas Armiger, General SuperintendentThe Wesleyan Church
Gayle D. Beebe, PresidentWestmont College
David Black, PresidentEastern University
Marilyn Borst, Director of Global MinistryPeachtree Presbyterian Church
Ed Boschman, Executive DirectorU.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
David C. Brown, ChairEvangelical Child & Family Agency
George K. Brushaber, PresidentBethel University
Gary M. Burge, Professor of New TestamentWheaton College
Tony Campolo, President/FounderEvangelical Association for the Promotion of Education
R. Judson Carlberg, PresidentGordon College
Joseph Castleberry, PresidentNorthwest University
Paul A. Cedar, ChairmanMission America Coalition
Thomas A. Curry, Senior MinisterRound Lake Community Church
Craig C. Darling, U.S. DirectorIndia Rural Evangelical Fellowship
Murray Dempster, PresidentVanguard University
G. Blair Dowden, PresidentHuntington University
Robert P. Dugan, Jr., RetiredNational Association of Evangelicals
Merrill Ewert, PresidentFresno Pacific University
Leighton Ford, PresidentLeighton Ford Ministries
Arthur Evans Gay, Minister-at-LargeEvangelical Initiatives International
Jules Glanzer, President ElectTabor College
Vernon Grounds, ChancellorDenver Seminary
Ronald Habegger, PresidentFellowship of Evangelical Churches
Jack Haberer, EditorThe Presbyterian Outlook
Mike Hagan, PresidentSioux Falls Seminary
Stephen A. Hayner, ProfessorColumbia Theological Seminary
Dennis Hollinger, PresidentEvangelical Theological Seminary
Jim Holm, PresidentMennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary
John Hubers, Former Director of Reformed Church Mission Program, Middle East and South AsiaReformed Church in America
John A. Huffman, Jr., PastorSt. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Newport BeachBoard Chair, Christianity Today International
Ken Hunn, Executive DirectorThe Brethren Church
Joel Hunter, Senior PastorNorthland Church
John K. Jenkins, Senior PastorFirst Baptist Church of Glenarden
Bruce W. JonesNational Association of Evangelicals
J. Ellsworth Kalas, PresidentAsbury Theological Seminary
John F. Kim, Interim PresidentNorthern Seminary
Peter Kuzmic, PresidentEvangelical Theological Seminary (Osijek, Croatia)
Duane Litfin, PresidentWheaton College
Jo Anne Lyon, CEOWorld Hope International
V. James Mannoia, PresidentGreensville College
Molly T. Marshall, PresidentCentral Baptist Theological Seminary
Kevin T. McBride, Senior PastorRaymond Baptist Church
Larry J. McKinney, PresidentSimpson University
Gregory A. Monaco, Associate Field Director, Youth for Christ/USA
Royce L. Money, PresidentAbilene Christian University
Richard Mouw, PresidentFuller Theological Seminary
Shirley A. Mullen, PresidentHoughton College
Mike O'Neal, PresidentOklahoma Christian University
David Neff, Editor-in-ChiefChristianity Today
Glenn R. Palmberg, PresidentEvangelical Covenant Church
Earl F. Palmer, MinisterUniversity Presbyterian Church
Linda Pampeyan, ConsultantLeadership Renewal Center
Ted W. Pampeyan, DirectorLeadership Renewal Center
David L. Parkyn, PresidentNorth Park University
Roger Parrot, PresidentBelhaven College
Jerry Pence, General Superintendent The Wesleyan Church
Rita Rihani, Professor of ArabicNorth Park University
Bob Roberts, PastorNorthwood Church
Bill Robinson, PresidentWhitworth University
Haddon W. Robinson, PresidentGordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Leonard Rodgers, Executive DirectorEvangelicals for Middle East Understanding
Andrew Ryskamp, DirectorChristian Reformed World Relief Committee
Michael G. Scales, PresidentNyack College/ATS
Chris Seiple, PresidentInstitute for Global Engagement
Robert Seiple, Former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
Ronald J. Sider, PresidentEvangelicals for Social Action
James Skillen, PresidentCenter for Public Justice
Wallace Smith, PresidentPalmer Theological Seminary
Glen H. Stassen, Lewis Smedes Professor of Christian EthicsFuller Theological Seminary
Gary W. Streit, PresidentMalone College
Joseph Tkach, PresidentWorldwide Church of God
Paul Vicalvi, Chaplains Commission Executive DirectorNational Association of Evangelicals
Harold Vogelaar, Professor EmeritusLutheran School of Theology, Chicago
Berten Waggoner, National DirectorVineyard USA
Don Wagner, ProfessorNorth Park University
John Wagner, PastorAndover Congregational Church
Jon R. Wallace, PresidentAzusa Pacific University
Jim Wallis, EditorSojourners
Bob WenzRenewing Total Worship Ministries
Luder G. Whitlock, Executive DirectorThe Trinity Forum
John P. Williams, Jr., Regional DirectorEvangelical Friends International - North America
Craig Williford, PresidentDenver Seminary
Earl L. Wilson, General SuperintendentThe Wesleyan Church
Larry E. Yonker, Vice-PresidentThe Elevation Group