Episcopal Press and News
Episcopalians Lead Interfaith 'Call on Congress' to Delay Israeli Loan Guarantees
Episcopal News Service. October 4, 1991 [91190]
Until it stops resettleing Jews in the Occupied Territories, Israel should not receive $10 billion in U.S. loan guarantees, a group of Episcopalians told legislators during a September 25 interfaith lobbying effort.
"We are opposed to loan guarantees as long as Israel is building settlements in the Occupied Territories," said James Reardon-Anderson, an Episcopal lay leader and co-chair of "Call on Congress." According to leaders of the group, Israeli construction and expansion of existing settlements among Palestinians in the Occupied Territories defies international law and United Nations resolutions. Israel has insisted that the loans are a form of humanitarian assistance to aid Soviet Jewish immigrants.
The lobbying effort was sponsored by 30 groups, including the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Committee of the Diocese of Washington, the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, the Episcopal Peace and Justice Network, and the Palestinian Concern Group of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle.
"A wellspring of support for our position has developed as this issue has been lifted to national attention," said Reardon-Anderson in an address to reporters as more than 150 people prepared to take their message to senators, representatives, and congressional aides through appointments and impromptu visits.
"Call on Congress" participants visited offices of more than 90 percent of all senators and congresspersons, according to Anne Shirk, executive director of the Peace Commission of the Diocese of Washington. The Capitol Hill visits were made by a team that included a Muslim Palestinian, an American Jew, and an Episcopalian, Shirk reported.
The religious coalition supported President Bush's decision to delay consideration of the loan guarantees until comprehensive Middle East peace talks occur.