Christian Embassy blasts 'dialogue dinner'

These Christian leaders will always be associated with "appeasement of the wicked," says evangelical group.

By ETGAR LEFKOVITS, ALLISON HOFFMAN IN NEW YORK
A prominent Jerusalem-based evangelical Christian organization on Thursday blasted a group of Mennonite and Quaker leaders who are hosting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a dialogue dinner in New York City, and said that they would always be associated with "appeasement of the wicked." "While we welcome efforts to de-radicalize religious perceptions and create an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for our differences, it is outrageous that the main guest at this dinner is someone who so thoroughly mocks and loathes these valued ideals," said Rev. Malcolm Hedding, Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. "He rejects everything that the United Nations Charter and genuine interfaith dialogue uphold," he said. Among those hosting the Thursday night dinner at Manhattan's Grand Hyatt Hotel are leaders from the Mennonite and Quaker movements, as well as the Geneva-based World Council of Churches. "We cannot fathom why his Christian hosts would debase their own faith so shamelessly by honoring him at this occasion," Hedding said. "These Christian leaders will forever be associated with the appeasement of wickedness." The unabashedly pro-Israel evangelical group said that it will be taking part in a protest outside the New York hotel organized by a coalition of human rights and advocacy groups. Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called to "wipe Israel off the map" and has dismissed the Holocaust, in which six millions Jews perished, as a "myth." The Iranian leader was in New York this week for the opening of the UN General Assembly. Last week, the evangelical organization presented a petition to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon signed by tens of thousands of Christians from around the world demanding that Ahmadinejad be indicted for incitement to genocide against Israel. The petition was signed by more than 55,000 Christians from 128 countries around the world. Organizers of the dinner said Christian groups who opposed the event had misunderstood its purpose. "People say, 'Why are you honoring this man?' Well, that's not the purpose," said Rev. Chris Ferguson, representative to the UN for the World Council of Churches, a co-host of the dinner. "It's not a celebration or an endorsement of anyone's opinions," Ferguson said. In a statement released Thursday, the Mennonite and Quaker organizers of the event said: "The exclusive purpose of this evening's dialogue among religious and political leaders is to build peace and understanding between societies that face increasing tension. As people of faith, we are obligated to seek peace, especially with leaders and individuals with whom we have serious disagreements. As people of peace, we advocate for our governments and the government of Iran to resolve their conflicts through dialogue. We see this particular event as an opportunity to continue a conversation with the Iranian people and their president." Ferguson said the dinner was intended to be a forum for private dialogue between religious and political leaders as part of an ongoing effort by the World Council, along with Mennonite and Quaker groups, to inject Christian principles of peaceful outreach and common understanding into political negotiations. The official theme of the dinner - an Iftar to break the Ramadan fast - was "Has not one God created us? The significance of religious contributions to peace." He said Ahmadinejad was invited because he is a "religious person" who refers to his religion in his decision-making. "He is not a religious scholar, but like the others speaking he does approach his political role with reference to his religion," Ferguson said. Ahmadinejad, in his UN speech and in meetings with the press this week, has repeatedly accused the US and the "Zionists," as he steadfastly refers to Jews and Israel, of serving "base, material" ends and claimed that he represents the godly path of the global oppressed. Others invited to sit at the head table for the event included UN General Assembly President Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, a Nicaraguan diplomat and Roman Catholic priest who was once an official with the World Council and published books on liberation theology in the 1970s. Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, have called for the UN secretary-general to urge d'Escoto to cancel his appearance with Ahmadinejad. But d'Escoto, who said in his opening address to the General Assembly this week that he dedicated his one-year presidency to "the democratization of the United Nations" and to helping the "dispossessed," has not been shy about reaching out to the Iranian leader, hugging him after his speech to the UN delegation. He has raised hackles with the Israeli delegation to the UN, with ambassador Gabriela Shalev accusing him of not being a "friend to Israel." "I think he doesn't understand that the duty of his position should be above all these kinds of activities," Shalev told The Jerusalem Post. "He hijacked his position as president," Shalev added. Rev. Kjell Bondevik, a former prime minister of Norway who now heads a human rights center in Oslo, will also be at the head table. Ferguson said Jewish representatives had been invited and were expected to be among those attending, but refused to identify them. "There will be participation from those particular communities, and they are free to speak after the event," Ferguson said. "This is a private meeting but not a secret one." Yet some protesting the dinner scoffed at the idea that inviting Jews to the table was the same as nurturing real dialogue between Iran and Israel. "To my knowledge they've never engaged the Israeli government on any peace issues," said Hillel Stavis, whose group Christians and Jews United for Israel planned to rally outside the Boston offices of the American Friends Service Committee, the political arm of the Quaker movement. No one from the Israeli delegation to the UN was invited to Thursday's dinner, said spokeswoman Mirit Cohen.