NCCJ letter to Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel
Mr. Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel. Dear Prime Minister Ariel Sharon: We, Japanese Christians, have been deeply saddened to know that many citizens, both Israelis and Palestinians were killed and injured as a result of the continuous violent conflicts between Palestine and Israel since the year 2000. We also have been hearing the outcries from Christians in Palestine appealing to us regarding the suffering and casualties caused by the Israeli military attacks. We also know that many Israelis are seeking for peace. Now, we are grateful to hear that the Israeli military forces will withdraw from Bethlehem and other occupied territory and resume the peace negotiations. We hope and pray that this opportunity will pave the way for a lasting peace. We deeply regret that " Christian nations " have persecuted Jewish people for many years. We especially repent that many Christians were merely onlookers during the cruel atrocities committed under the Nazi regime. However, it will lead to a similar Nazi genocide policy if the Israeli government continues to invade the Palestinian ruled territory and take the land and water away, destroy homes and build settlements which threaten Palestinian livelihood, and kill Palestinians. This is an act of violation against human dignity. We also oppose the act of indiscriminate killings such as suicide bombings by Palestinian . However, we believe that the suicide bombings will continue to happen and there will be no security for both Palestinians and Israelis, unless the illegal occupation of Palestine comes to an end. In praying that people in Palestine and Israel will live peacefully together as fellow human beings, we will request the following:
Peace and Grace, Ms. Reiko Suzuki Rev. Kenichi Otsu
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