American Jewish Groups Object to Presbyterians' Meeting With Hezbollah [View All]

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBXSLE1K0E.html

NEW YORK (AP) - Two national Jewish organizations Wednesday sharply criticized a Presbyterian Church delegation for meeting in Lebanon with leaders of the terrorist group Hezbollah.

The American Jewish Committee said the Presbyterians had "lent legitimacy to what American government officials call the 'A-Team' of global terrorists" and delivered "a blow to peace efforts in the region." It called on the Presbyterian Church "to repudiate immediately" the delegation's actions.

Anti-Defamation League director Abraham Foxman said he found it "irresponsible" and "deeply disturbing" that Presbyterian leaders would seek to meet "members of a terrorist organization that is directly responsible for attacks against both Americans and Israelis and that has repeatedly denounced America and Israel as enemies of Islam."

Foxman also objected that the Rev. Ronald Stone, a retired social ethics professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, was quoted on Hezbollah's satellite TV network as saying "relations and conversations with Islamic leaders are a lot easier than dealings and dialogue with Jewish leaders," and that "we treasure the precious words of Hezbollah and your expression of good will towards the American people."

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