wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Presbyterian group seeks moratorium on Israel

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Note #8583 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

04542
December 10, 2004

Presbyterian group seeks moratorium on Israel divestment moves

New York-based group asks GAC to defer shareholder actions

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - A group of Presbyterian ministers and laypersons is urging
members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to work toward reversing last
summer's controversial General Assembly action to begin a process of phased,
selective divestment from certain companies doing business in
Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

	In a statement released Wednesday, the New York-based Presbyterians
Concerned for Jewish and Christian Relations (PCJCR) called on the
denomination's General Assembly Council to impose a moratorium on shareholder
actions and other steps related to divestment until the PC(USA)'s General
Assembly convenes again in 2006.

	Last July, the church's 216th General Assembly voted 431 to 62 to
initiate a process of a phased and selective divestment from corporations
contributing to the more destructive aspects of Israel's occupation of the
West Bank and Gaza, such as the bulldozing of Palestinian homes and farm
lands and the construction of a "security wall."

	The Assembly's action quickly sparked intense controversy, angering
much of the U.S. Jewish community and straining relations between a number of
Jewish groups and the PC(USA).

	Many Presbyterians opposed the move as well, asserted the PCJCR,
which describes itself as an organization with members nationwide committed
to building "positive, constructive, respectful and meaningful relationships
with Jews."

	Valerie Munson, a lifelong Presbyterian from Philadelphia and
co-convener of the PCJCR, said the group's statement is "really in response
to a lot of contact we had from Presbyterians across the country trying to
find out how to have a voice and express their concern and opposition to the
divestment decision."

	The PCJCR claims the divestment decision goes against the PC(USA)'s
historically "even-handed approach" of favoring a two-state solution to the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

	The PCJCR wants Presbyterians to help build support for overtures
challenging the divestment decision that would be submitted to the
denomination's 217th General Assembly in 2006.

	The PCJCR also seeks for congregations, pastors and lay leaders to
sign onto its statement, finalized last month with the title "Toward a Just
and Lasting Peace in the Middle East."

	The statement goes on to say "because we believe that our church can
play a positive role in fostering Middle East peace, we call upon the
Presbyterian Church (USA) to pursue faithfully and consistently its historic
vision of peace and security for all the peoples of the region."

	While the PCJCR said it believes divestment can be a useful tool for
brining about social change, it added that it views making Israel the object
of a divestment policy as being counterproductive.

	"I think that anytime one party is singled out inappropriately and
unjustly it's bound to have a negative impact towards a just and peaceful
solution," Munson said. "I think that whenever Christians seek to bear
witness in the world, being evenhanded, objective investigators and reporters
is crucial."

	PC(USA) leaders strongly denied the PCJCR's charges Thursday.

	"The General Assembly has not diverged from its long-standing
policies of opposing violence on both sides in the search for peaceful and
just solutions," said the Rev. Marian McClure, director of the PC(USA)'s
Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD). "The approach to divestment that is
being developed does not single out Israel. It is a principled approach."

	McClure was referring to a set of six criteria drafted early last
month by the PC(USA)'s committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment
to guide the process of phased, selective divestment.

	She said the divestment guidelines "allow us to look at any company
profiting from the violation of human rights and international law, whether
Israeli, Palestinian or anyone else."

	McClure noted that the church's GA has approved numerous resolutions
pertaining to Israel and Palestine, "repeatedly affirming, clearly and
unequivocally, Israel's right to exist within permanent, recognized and
secure borders."

	She said the Assembly has deplored the cycle of escalating violence
by both Palestinians and Israelis.

	"We simply want to divest of the things that make for war and invest
in the things that make for peace," said the Rev. Marthame Sanders,
missionary in residence with WMD.

	Meanwhile, the PCJCR said in its statement that it supports
"proactive engagement and selective investment of time, talent and financial
resources in companies, not-for-profits, NGOs and diplomatic efforts that are
likely to promote a just and lasting peace in the region."

	Munson, who also serves as moderator of the Ecumenical and Interfaith
Relations Committee of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, said the PCJCR formed
in the early 1980s around theological discussions that took place in the
denomination around Christian-Jewish relations.

	She said the organization recently transformed from a small informal
group of pastors and lay leaders to a membership-based structure in the
process of adding about 300 people to its rolls.

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