Presbyterian Divestment:

Q.  Why are you recommending divestment?

A.  Divestment is a form of nonviolent moral action to change unjust practices. It is a longstanding practice used by the Presbyterian Church to counter human rights abuses around the world.  Selective divestment is a way to make sure our church funds are not being invested in companies that profit from policies and practices that contradict basic tenants of our faith.

 

Q.  Wasn’t the divestment process rescinded at the 2006 GA?

A.  No.  While emphasis was placed on the pursuit of positive corporate engagement, MRTI still retains authority to recommend divestment as an eventual course of action in the event that such engagement is unsuccessful.  

 

Q.  Is the PC(USA) alone in this initiative?

A.  Not at all.  The New England Conference of The United Methodist Church is scheduled to consider a much stronger resolution calling for divestment from twenty multi-national corporations, with the full backing and endorsement from organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee and The Jewish Voice for Peace.  The World Council of Churches has long called for divestment from companies that profit from the occupation, and many similar campaigns are under way in other denominations, colleges, universities, public employee unions, banks, municipalities and other entities around the world.

 

Q.  Why Israel?  Why not focus on China or other countries that have terrible records on human rights? What about Russia in Chechnya?  

A.  First, because our tax dollars as well as investment dollars are paying for this.  Israel is the largest recipient of US foreign aid.  Americans are making money on Israel’s occupation.   We cannot criticize other countries as long as we are paying for the persecution and dispossession of Palestinians.

Second, because Israel’s actions endanger Christians in the cradle of our faith,

and as members of the Body of Christ, we have an obligation to defend them.  We also advocate for all who are persecuted.

And third, because Israel’s blatant violations of human rights are fueling terrorism and anti-American hatred around the world.  For years, the US has vetoed efforts by the United Nations to end this conflict.  We are seen as the reason this conflict continues.

 

Q.  Won’t divestment harm Israel’s economy?

A.  No.  It is not directed at Israeli companies in general, or at companies that do business in Israel, unless they profit from the occupation.   Actually, the occupation endangers Israelis, and whatever we can do to end it will provide Israelis a more secure and prosperous future.

 

Q.  How is the occupation harming Israel?

A.  The expense of wars and military occupation is draining the Israeli economy and having a negative effect on its society as a whole.  Today, 1.6 million Israelis live in poverty.  Since1998, the US contributions to Israel’s domestic economy have declined, and this year for the first time, US aid for Israel will be solely for military purposes.

 

Q.  Churches should not take sides in this conflict.  

A.  Divestment is not anti-Israel or pro-Palestinian.  It is directed at companies that support and benefit from the ongoing conflict. Divestment is taking the side of a just and sustainable peace for all.  Actually, through the enormous flow of US dollars to Israel’s military, and through investments in companies profiting from occupation, we already have been taking sides.  Divestment is an effort to stop being one-sided in our practices.

 

Q.  Won’t the church’s divestment action harm relationships between Presbyterians and Jews?  Isn’t it anti-Semitic?

A.  The PC(USA) has long valued and nurtured relationships with Jews around the world. The consistent Presbyterian position has been to affirm the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign state within secure, internationally recognized borders. The occupation endangers Israelis as well as Palestinians, and we are responding to pleas from many Israeli and Jewish organizations around the world to help end this conflict. The divestment action is in fact supported by many Jewish organizations, and nearly all Jewish “peace” organizations.  It is aimed not at Israel per se or companies that do business there, but at companies that profit from supporting the obstacles to peace identified by MRTI.

 

Q.  What about the Qassam rockets that Palestinians continue to fire into

Israel?  Doesn’t Israel have a right to defend itself?

A.  Each life is sacred, whether Israeli or Palestinian, and no action that targets innocent civilians can be tolerated.  However, MRTI has not identified any companies in which the PC(USA) is invested that supply the Palestinians with armaments.  We believe our task is to be sure we are not profiting from investments that contribute to the conflict.

 

Q.  What do you hope to accomplish through divestment?

A.  Divestment can do many things: 

 

• It can raise the level of awareness about how profitable Israel’s  occupation has become for        companies around the world.  
• It can ensure that we as investors are not profiting from this.  
• It can put companies on notice that their support for Israel’s occupation may turn away investors.  
• It can stimulate public discussion about the realities of occupation, which have largely been hidden from Americans, and can lay the groundwork for changing US policy.  
• It can provide hope to Palestinians who see their freedom denied every day.  
• It can show the world that we believe in the equality of all God’s children, and that our faith requires our commitment to justice and peace.