Presbyterian Church Threatened Because of Stance on Middle East Conflict

November 14, 2004

Source: Chicago Sun Times

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-church14.html

On November 14, 2004 Chicago Sun Times reported, "the Presbyterian Church (USA) has stepped up security at its headquarters and advised its churches to be on alert after receiving a letter threatening arson attacks because of its policies on the Middle East. The handwritten letter, received Wednesday at the church's Louisville headquarters, threatened to set churches on fire with people inside in retaliation for 'anti-Israel and anti-Jewish attitudes,' Jerry L. Van Marter, director of the Presbyterian news service, said Saturday. The letter had no return address, but it was postmarked from Queens, N.Y., Van Marter said. The letter gave a Nov. 15 deadline for the church to reverse its Middle East policies, he said."