Click for full articleSara Chin.

[EXCERPTS]

In 1995, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) issued “For Peace in God’s World,” calling on Lutherans to “strengthen the will and ability to resolve conflicts peacefully” and “conciliate differences.”

On August 11, 2016, ECLA betrayed the lofty goals expressed in that document by adopting resolutions calling on the U.S. government to end all aid to Israel, and embracing BDS (boycotts, divestment, sanctions) tactics. Claiming that Israel is an “occupying power” that does not recognize or adhere to international human rights standards, the decision was driven by the Lutheran Isaiah 58 group, with support from a coalition of anti-Israel organizations and activists, including Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), and the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. These resolutions place the sole blame for the continuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the feet of Israel, ignoring Palestinian violence and incitement.