"Groups like Churches for Middle East Peace seem determined to put Israel as well as fish into the frying pan this Lent." -- IRD President Mark Tooley

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, jwalton@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, March 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- Church groups centered on Middle East peace are marking the time of Lent with criticism of Israel. A season of penance and fasting traditionally associated with preparing for Easter, Lent is being promoted as a time to single out Israel as aggressor.

Lenten reflections issued by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) direct attention to Israel's alleged sins and portray Israel as solely responsible for the Arab-Israeli conflict. CMEP-provided materials do not encourage the same level of attention or understanding to the role Israel's Arab and Muslim adversaries have played in contributing to the continued existence Arab-Israeli conflict.

Agencies of mainline Protestant churches including the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ are all members of CMEP, as are some Eastern Orthodox and Catholic groups.

One CMEP reflection written by an executive of the United Church of Christ reads "In Israel and Palestine, Israeli settlements, the separation barrier, conditions of refugees, and myriad aspects of occupation--as well as destabilizing and debilitating violence--diminish hope and dehumanize people."

Direct references to Israel such as settlements and the separation barrier are contrasted with diffuse and vague references to "destabilizing and debilitating violence" -- not direct naming of those groups responsible.

IRD President Mark Tooley commented:

"It is ironic that a sober season centered on personal disciplines and penance would be appropriated by some church groups as a time to attack others.

"As is sadly typical, Middle East church groups heap criticism upon Israel while largely ignoring the transgressions of neighboring Arab governments and the Palestinians.

"Few have an interest in the ongoing miseries of Egypt's persecuted Coptic Christian population, while the economic embargo of Hamas-dominated Gaza is viewed as an intolerable evil.

"Groups like Churches for Middle East Peace seem determined to put Israel as well as fish into the frying pan this Lent."

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