{"id":1904,"date":"2013-08-15T10:13:31","date_gmt":"2013-08-15T16:13:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/peacenotwalls\/?p=1904"},"modified":"2013-08-15T10:13:31","modified_gmt":"2013-08-15T16:13:31","slug":"jewish-christian-and-muslim-leaders-united-in-support-of-secretary-of-state-kerrys-peace-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/elcasumud\/jewish-christian-and-muslim-leaders-united-in-support-of-secretary-of-state-kerrys-peace-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Jewish, Christian and Muslim Leaders United In Support of Secretary of State Kerry\u2019s Peace Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NEWSPeace-is-Possible\"<\/a>In a letter\u00a0to Secretary of State John Kerry this week, thirty key Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders \u201cvoiced strong support for his determined initiative for Israeli-Palestinian peace.\u201d\u00a0 In similar letters, the leaders called on key members of Congress \u201cto support Secretary Kerry\u2019s continuing urgent efforts for peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group, including\u00a0ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, represented The National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for the Middle East<\/a>.\u00a0 Inspired by the Abrahamic traditions,\u00a0 a similar group\u00a0met in January, 2013, declaring\u00a0“twilight has fallen on hope for Israeli-Palestinian peace.”\u00a0 They\u00a0called for “a bold new initiative for a two-state solution before it’s too late.”<\/p>\n

The religious leaders warmly welcomed Secretary Kerry\u2019s announcement a week ago of an agreement \u201cthat establishes the basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis.\u201d Appreciating the progress made in earlier formal and informal negotiations toward resolving final status issues, the religious leaders noted that \u201cwhile these talks have yet to yield a blueprint for peace, they have identified ideas for addressing key issues that must be resolved in a manner acceptable to both sides.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders offered their prayers for Secretary Kerry\u2019s efforts and pledged that they \u201care prepared through the national organizations we represent to activate members of synagogues, churches and mosques across the country to support bold American leadership for peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know the path to peace is complex and challenging,\u201d the leaders said, \u201cbut peace is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full letters below:<\/p>\n