YWCA USA concerned about accuracy

The YWCA USA wishes to respond to representatives of the Maricopa County Jewish community and the press who have expressed concerns over a resolution that was passed in 2003 at the World YWCA World Council Meeting and the separate Witness Report.

YWCA USA is a member of the World YWCA, a separate corporation, headquartered in Geneva. Our role within the World YWCA is like the role of the United States within the United Nations. We work within that democratic process to protect and improve the lives of women worldwide. In doing so, we promote a balanced view and work to ensure that all voices are heard.

The YWCA USA is one of 100 national associations in 100 countries that are affiliated with the World YWCA.

The YWCA USA voted against the 2003 World Council Resolution because, in its support of Palestinians, it inadequately addressed the issues of safety and security for the Israeli people and thereby falls short of the YWCA's mission of promoting peace, justice and freedom for all in the Middle East.

The Witness Report was written after a trip to Palestinian territory by a vice president of the World YWCA, who represents North America, and is an American who is also a member of the YWCA USA's World Relations Committee. She personally financed her trip, which was led by the World YWCA, to learn more about Palestinian women, the YWCA of Palestine, and as part of her and the World YWCA's studies about life in the Middle East. They met also with Israeli peace groups in Palestinian territory. The Witness Report is not an official YWCA USA report or viewpoint.

YWCA USA is very concerned about the confusion and inaccurate information being circulated, which appears to have created a whirlwind of controversy. We continue to work diligently on our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

Several false rumors have come to the YWCA USA recently about the Middle East issue. One falsehood is that the YWCA USA is paying for the YWCA of Palestine to come officially to the United States to present to local YWCAs.

There is no YWCA of Israel. The YWCA USA and the World YWCA do not create YWCAs, but residents of Israel could create one to participate fully in the World YWCA.

The YWCA is a multifaith movement, sprouted through the Christian faith almost 150 years ago, as a source of help, refuge, and education to women. The YWCA USA recently renewed its mission with a bold new brand, outreach, and advocacy at the state and federal levels.

We, the YWCA USA, are working now to develop a more balanced resolution to bring before the affiliates of the World YWCA at its World Council Meeting in 2007. That work is being done by our standing World Relations Committee and through its subcommittee, the Middle East Task Force.

The former executive director of the YWCA of Maricopa County, a member also of the Jewish community, serves on that task force. Views are being sought from other members of the Jewish community. The task force and its parent World Relations Committee include those of Jewish and other faiths, as well as secular, and include members from all nine YWCA geographic regions.

The committee is examining new language presented to the YWCA National Coordinating Board and whether that should be part of a new statement on the Middle East issue.

Possible next steps being explored by the committee include educational materials, such as, perhaps, a personal story about what Israel means to the Jewish people and why it feels threatened.

The YWCA of Maricopa County, Arizona, has suffered tremendously these past months as it has tried to respond to attacks and conduct an internal review following the resignation of its executive director. It is open and doing business as usual and excited to embrace the Jewish community and the entire community.

Peggy Sanchez Mills is the executive director of the YWCA USA.

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