YWCA USA Official Position
On the "June 2004 Witness Report to Palestine"

The YWCA USA is wholly committed to working through the World YWCA to create a fully inclusive world where justice, peace, human dignity, and freedom prevail.
 
The YWCA USA and the World YWCA share a history and common vision.  There are times when the YWCA USA differs with the World YWCA on how best to promote our common vision through policy statements.  This occurred during the 2003 YWCA World Council vote on a resolution addressing the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.  The YWCA USA is on record as voting against the resolution, which has since become a World YWCA policy statement.  Our objection is based on our belief that the resolution inadequately addresses the issues of safety and security for the Israeli people.  The YWCA USA is currently working on a resolution regarding the Middle East to present to the next YWCA World Council, and is developing guiding principles, policies, and procedures for the balanced study of the conflict and the making of recommendations to redress human suffering in this region.
 
Both the Israeli and Palestinian people are suffering as a result of this conflict.  The YWCA USA has an historical record of supporting a balanced study of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  The views expressed in the "June 2004 Witness Report to Palestine" are the views of the author and are not endorsed by the YWCA USA.