Mainline churches pressure Israel

[Ahriman]

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is seeking withdrawal of investments from some companies with ties to the territories, following a vote this summer by its General Assembly. The Socially Responsible Investment panel of the Episcopal Church is researching the idea.

Corinne Whitlach, head of the Washington-based Churches for Middle East Peace, said some Methodists and members of the United Church of Christ want to consider divestment as well.

"The churches that I work with share the view that's very widely held that the very possibility of a two-state solution seems to be increasingly less possible," Whitlach said.

U.S. Jewish leaders have told the Protestants that their approach urging Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories smacks of bias, since the Christians have made no concurrent demand that the Palestinian Authority work to end suicide bombings against Israelis.

http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg/04298/400181.stm

[livinbella]

1. This is excellent

I just hope the trend continues.

[clydefrand]

2. You mean they aren't saying, Israel, if you will convert all of

your people to Christianity, we'll be happy to help you? After all isn't that what the fearless leader, * is telling the world? You want freedom? That equals conversion to Christianity.

[forgethell]

4. Have you got a link? n/t

[checks-n-balances]

5. Here's a good one, if you're still looking for one

Sorry, I just got home & saw this thread.

http://www.pcusa.org/israelandjewishrelations/

May take awhile to download.

[Ilsa]

3. PCUSA can be a very progressive denomination.

They feel close to their roots in Judaism, but don't appreciate the violence either way.

[atreides1]

6. ????

My question is this, do any of the churches listed have investments in Palestinian companies with ties to the territories, better yet are there any Palestinian companies to invest in?

As an Episcopalian I feel that the church should ask the Palestinian Authority to end suicide bombings against Israelis, and at the same time divest itself from any Israeli companies with tie to the territories.

It seems fair to me.

[Jacobin]

7. Good for them

Presbyterian Church (mainstream anyway) is not in my experience populated by fundie idiots

[Moderator]

8. yesterday's news--locking