This afternoon (Wednesday, June 21) the Assembly received the report from the Committee on Peacemaking and International Issues, with the issue of divestment as the star attraction.

The committee responded to a long list of overtures, some in support of the action of the 2006 Assembly to initiate study of possible divestment from U.S. corporations that have been providing support for the Israeli occupation of Palestine, as well as from corporation that have in some way supported Palestinian acts of terrorism.

Committee moderator Gretchen Graf explained that a writing team from the committee had worked long and hard, "pulling words from the many overtures before us." The committee’s statement, she said, describes divestment as a last resort, and to be undertaken only with the permission of a General Assembly.

The statement opens with this expression of apology:

We acknowledge that the actions of the 216th General Assembly (2004) caused hurt and misunderstanding among many members of the Jewish community and within our Presbyterian communion. We are grieved by the pain that this has caused, accept responsibility for the flaws in our process, and ask for a new season of mutual understanding and dialogue.

Two efforts were made to amend the statement, both pf them affirming the continued support of the PC(USA) for the rights of the Palestinian people. The arguments against them focused largely on the fact that the committee had reached a substantial level of agreement, which Commissioner Bruce Ogden of Sacramento described as "fragile." He followed that with the warning that if people didn’t accept the committee’s motion "we’ll be here a long, long time." Other argued that the 2006 action was too one-sided, and that this statement gives a kind of "balance" to the church’s stance in relation to Israeli and Palestinian concerns.

Supporters of the amendment, including former Moderator Fahed Abu-Akel, argued that it proclaimed a needed identification with the Palestinian people, often with specific reference to "our Christian sisters and brothers in Palestine," and a recognition of the suffering they continue to endure.

Both amendments were defeated – the second one by a vote of 273 to 237.

The final vote was 483 to 28 to accept the committee’s statement.

Jewish organizations respond to the divestment action

Clearly a variety of Jewish groups have been watching the Assembly with great interest. You may be interested to glimpse their "take" on the action of this afternoon’s session.  [6-22-06]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First, a paper in New York, The Jewish Week, reported enthusiastically on June 23, based on early impressions of the Assembly, that the "church [is] poised to kill divestment." The church was described as "poised to do an about-face on its controversial plan to punish Israel with economic divestment two years after the church sparked a broader effort to punish Israel with economic sanctions."
The article >>

Jewish Council for Public Affairs hails Presbyterian Church for opposing divestment from Israel

News release dated June 21, 2006

NEW YORK - In response to the Presbyterian Church’s (U.S.A.) passage of a resolution at its General Assembly reversing a two-year old ‘phased selective divestment’ position focused specifically Israel, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), today issued the following statement:

"The JCPA commends the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for adopting a balanced and thoughtful policy on peacemaking between Israelis and Palestinians. The church will now hold companies working in Israel to the same standard as the rest of its investments. Today’s resolution calls for a‘new season’ of interfaith cooperation,’ to which we are deeply committed," said Lois Frank, JCPA Chair.

The resolution also changes the church’s stance on Israel’s security barrier, no longer calling for its removal, but instead focusing on its location. "The Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly has turned an important corner," Frank added, "by changing their policies, calling for improved relations, and acknowledging the pain and misunderstanding caused by the process and policies from two years ago, the challenge now falls to all who have engaged in this spirited conversation."

The JCPA and local community relations councils, in conjunction with other major American Jewish organizations, have worked diligently to foster collaborative relations between the Christian and Jewish communities.

JCPA Associate Executive Director Ethan Felson, who attended the PC USA General Assembly, added: "We must build on the lessons we have learned - and continue to engage on even the most contentious issues. Clearly there is great passion on issues pertaining to the Middle East. Our fervent prayer is that we can harness these energies in the pursuit of justice, peace, and security for Israelis and Palestinians. We will continue to promote dialogue and understanding, as we also make the case that threats of divestment are not the path to peace."

The JCPA is the national community relations arm of the organized American Jewish community, including the American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Congress, Anti-Defamation League, Union for Reform Judaism, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, and ten other groups.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So what do you think we did today?
And how is it being reported where you are?
Please send a note and tell us about it!