Churches raise pressure on firms in Israel
In bid to end Israel's control of Palestinian territories, Presbyterian USA takes next step in divestment threat.
One by one, mainline Protestant denominations with close ties to the Holy Land are taking controversial steps aimed at influencing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
While the churches have engaged in Middle East issues for decades, the decision of some to begin using economic leverage to press for an end to the Israeli occupation has roiled the US Jewish community and some within their own church ranks. The initiative to consider divestment began with a vote by Presbyterians last year, but has been gathering momentum as various churches debate the issue in national conventions.
On Friday, the Presbyterian Church USA reignited concerns when its investment committee named five US corporations it intends to push to reform their practices. The effort could eventually lead to divesting from the church's $8 billion portfolio. [Editor's note: The original version undervalued the Presbyterian church's portfolio.]
The committee said the firms contribute to the ongoing conflict through support for the Israeli occupation and settlements, construction of the separation barrier on the West Bank, or facilitating violent acts against civilians.
"This is not an immediate divestment, nor a blanket divestment against Israel as a whole - I hope that gets heard," says the Rev. Marthame Sanders, a Presbyterian spokesman.
The companies include ITT Industries and United Technologies, which supply communication equipment and helicopters to the Israeli military; Caterpillar, whose equipment is used in Palestinian home demolition and the building of settlements; and Motorola, which provides military wireless communications and invests in Israeli cellphone firms, which are alleged to be sidestepping license requirements and undermining Palestinian businesses.
In an apparent attempt to be evenhanded, the committee also named a fifth company, Citigroup, for providing money-transfer services to charities that were accused of being fronts for terrorist groups. Citigroup has called the charge against the company "an outrage."
The announcement sparked a strong reaction from Jewish leaders.
"The use of economic leverage doesn't bring Israelis or Palestinians one bit closer to peace, and only poisons the well for interfaith relations here," warned Ethan Felson, assistant executive director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.
The step was not unexpected, as the divestment brouhaha has been developing for months.
During its general assembly beginning Monday, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is to vote on a "Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine." While no action is planned on a specific divestment proposal, "the assembly can change that," says John Brooks, ELCA spokesman.
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