Note #9225 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:
06188 March 28, 2006
Israel/Palestine issues will loom large at GA
Numerous measures would rescind, refine controversial 2004 divestment action
by Toya Richards Hill
LOUISVILLE - Nearly 20 overtures about how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) should deal with the conflict in Israel and Palestine will be considered by this summer's 217th General Assembly.
The majority call for the GA to rescind the process of phased, selective divestment of PC(USA) stock in multinational corporations whose business practices contribute to violence in Israel and Palestine - a process launched by a decision of the 216th GA (2004).
Those measures would suspend the process now under way in which the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) is "engaging" such companies in an effort to get them to change their business practices.
The PC(USA) Board of Pensions and the Presbyterian Foundation oversee a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of investments on the denomination's behalf; only a very small fraction is at play in Israel/Palestine.
The portfolio includes stock in five corporations - Caterpillar Inc., Citigroup, ITT Industries, Motorola and United Technologies - now being "engaged" by MRTI in the phased, selective divestment process.
The GA deadline for overtures with financial implications is April 17; for those with no financial implications it is May 1.
"The Presbytery of Eastern Virginia respectfully overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) to propose that the resolution from the 216th General Assembly (2004) regarding phased, selective divestment of stocks be suspended," one reads.
"It is our prayer that our denomination will seek balanced, positive overtures for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, instead of directing negative actions at only one of the involved parties," the presbytery added in its rationale for the overture.
The measure at issue in most cases is recommendation 7 of the alternate resolution to Item 12-01 from the 216th GA, which instructs MRTI "to initiate a process of phased selective divestment in multinational corporations operating in Israel, in accordance (with) General Assembly policy on social investing, and to make appropriate recommendations to the General Assembly Council for action."
An overture from the Presbytery of Mississippi reads: "While the desire for peace is reaffirmed, some of the means for achieving peace advocated by the 216th General Assembly (2004) were not appropriate and, in light of changing circumstances, should not be implemented." The presbytery urges that the action be "repealed, rescinded and declared null and void" by this year's Assembly.
Similar language appears in an overture from the Presbytery of the James in Virginia, which says: "Recommendation 7 ... undermines the cause of peace, because advocacy of phased, selective divestment is punitive rather than redemptive, particularly in light of the rapidly changing circumstances in Israel."
Other measures that would stop the process that could lead to divestment - and MRTI's preparatory work - have been submitted by the Presbytery of New Covenant in Texas; the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley in Alabama; the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca in New Mexico; the Presbytery of Tampa Bay in Florida; the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area in Minnesota; and the Presbytery of Baltimore in Maryland.
A slightly different overture, from the Presbytery of Seattle in Washington, calls for a two-year suspension of the phased, selective process "in order to build up a relationship with groups among Palestinians and Israelis who are actively working for peace."
The Presbytery of Great Rivers in Illinois is calling for the divestment action to the rescinded only as it relates to Caterpillar Inc., headquartered in Peoria, IL. It also asks that the Assembly "recognize Caterpillar for its responsible actions as a global corporate citizen."
At the other end of the spectrum, the Presbytery of San Francisco in California is asking the GA to "reaffirm" the 216th Assembly's decision regarding divestment. "The occupation of the West Bank continues unabated, taking more land and isolating Palestinians from one another and their livelihood, undercutting the possibility of a viable economy," the presbytery says in its rationale.
That overture also asks this year's GA to direct MRTI "to recommend opportunities for investment in joint Palestinian-Israeli ventures," and proposes that the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program offer study tours for PC(USA) members and congregations and interfaith groups "that incorporate visits and interaction with both Israelis and Palestinians."
Positive investment in the region also is a theme of an overture from the Presbytery of Transylvania in Kentucky, which would specify that, if divestment occurred, "whatever proceeds are realized from the sale of those holdings" would be "reinvested in corporations whose business in Israel is positive, helpful and peaceful."
Ditto from the Presbytery of Chicago in Illinois, whose overture says that such proceeds must be "reinvested in corporations or other entities in Israel and Palestine whose work reflects the Hebrew injunction of tikun olam - or, to repair the world."
A second overture from Chicago calls for investing only in "peaceful pursuits" in the region and for widespread collaboration with American and Israeli Jewish, American and Palestinian Muslim and Palestinian Christian communities.
A measure from the Presbytery of National Capitol in Maryland would have the Assembly urge the Board of Pensions and the Foundation - as they make changes to their investment portfolios because of the phased, selective divestment process - to explore investing in companies "working cooperatively in both the Palestinian and Israeli economies."
The most specific overture related to investment in the region is from the Presbytery of New Brunswick in New Jersey. It would have the commissioners set the following "target contributions" of money to come in whole or in part from the PC(USA) or its member synods, presbyteries and congregations:
At least $5,000 annually for two years to the Parents Circle¾ Families Forum
At least $25,000 a year for two years to Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam ("The Oasis of Peace
At least $250,000 annually for two years to Mar Elias Educational Institutions
At least $100,000 a year for two years in "microcredit" development programs in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, as approved by MRTI
Long-term investments of PC(USA)funds amounting to at least $2.5 million (or the amount withdrawn through the divestment process, whichever is greater) in international Israeli and/or Palestinian companies engaged in economic activities supporting peace in the region, as identified by MRTI.
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