An official of the World Council of Churches (WCC) declared here that the time has come for the Palestine Liberation Organization to recognize Israel.
According to Ninan Koshy, international affairs director of the WCC, “a declaration of intention” by the PLO to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a state would strengthen the present political momentum for a genuine peace in the Middle East. Koshy spoke on occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
He said the urgency of the situation demanded that the PLO take advantage of the favorable factors in order to capitalize on the good will it has earned and to take bold steps. Those remarks by a representative of an organization that has always been sharply critical of Israel’s policies come as a surprise.
The WCC represents more than 300 Protestant denominations in 100 countries. Koshy said that it supports the efforts of the peace movements in Israel and among sections of the Jewish people around the world who also affirm the rights of the Palestinian people and appeal for co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians in two mutually recognized states.
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