Religious leaders call on Congress to re-evaluate military aid to Israel

Fifteen leaders of U.S. churches and other faith-based organizations have asked Congress to re-evaluate U.S. military aid to Israel.

The religious leaders sent a letter to members of Congress on Oct. 8, calling for an investigation into possible violations by Israel of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, which would make Israel ineligible for U.S. military aid.

“As Christian leaders in the United States, it is our moral responsibility to question the continuation of unconditional U.S. financial assistance to the government of Israel,” the letter, signed by leaders of the Lutheran, Methodist, UCC churches, and the National Council of Churches, said.

The letter was criticized by Jewish groups, including the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the American Jewish Committee.

The Rabbinical Assembly, the umbrella organization of Conservative rabbis, called for a re-evaluation of the interfaith partnerships between the assembly and the denominations represented in the letter. — jta