A resolution endorsing divestment from three US companies that participate in the Israeli government’s occupation of Palestine (Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Hewlett-Packard) has been passed by a vote of 45-20 by the Middle East Issues Committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Action on the resolution by the full assembly is expected Thursday or Friday.
Below, the IPMN press release and the JVP press release. You can find more info on Twitter at #ChurchDivest. === Here is the press release of the Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church USA: http://www.israelpalestinemissionnetwork.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=275 Middle East Issues Committee Endorses Selective Divestment from Israeli Occupation at 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) June 17, 2014 The Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is pleased to announce that an overture endorsing selective divestment from three US companies that profit from Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands has been passed by a vote of 45-20 by the Middle East Issues Committee of the 221st General Assembly. Following a passionate discussion of divestment featuring voices in support and opposed, a majority of committee members supported the overture, calling for the church to divest its holdings from Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions for their involvement in sustaining Israeli human rights abuses and non-peaceful pursuits. This decision was part of a larger action crafted to express ongoing support to both the Israeli and Palestinian people and the ongoing conversation for peace, security, and justice. We hope that the overture will be allowed a vote in the plenary session later in the week. Two years ago, the committee voted 36 to 11 for a both/and approach, where the assembly could adopt investment and divestment together. However, through parliamentary maneuvers, a minority report replaced the will of the committee and the assembly never voted on divestment. We hope that after 10 years of unsuccessful corporate engagement and the endorsement of the Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) committee and Middle East Issues Committee, the plenary of the general assembly will finally be allowed to vote on divestment. Press Contact:cmt_4 Rev. Dr. Jeffrey DeYoe, IPMN Advocacy Chair [email protected] http://israelpalestinemissionnetwork.org/main/ === Here is the Jewish Voice for Peace press release: http://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/blog/presbyterian-middle-east-committee-votes-strongly-in-favor-of-divestme Presbyterian Middle East Committee Votes Strongly in Favor of Divestment Submitted by Liz Ingenthron on Tue, 06/17/2014 - 1:06pm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jesse Yurow, [email protected] www.JewishVoiceforPeace.org Jewish Voice for Peace Applauds Middle East Committee Recommendation [June 17, 2014. Detroit] Jewish Voice for Peace applauds today’s vote of the Middle East Committee at the 221st Presbyterian General Assembly to bring the question of divestment from three American corporations to the floor of the convention later this week. The vote was 45 for, 20 against. Rabbi Alissa Wise, Director of Organizing at Jewish Voice for Peace said: “I am so impressed by the deliberate and heartfelt process Presbyterians use to make urgent decisions of conscience. As we head into the larger plenary vote to affirm the committee's recommendation for divestment, I pray for the commissioners to have clarity of conscience as they seek to align Presbyterian values with their investments.” Carolyn Klaasen, 27, from New York City chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace said: “Voting for divestment is a powerful statement of conscience. It speaks to the Presbyterian heartfelt witness and desire to realize an end to the Israeli occupation and for peace, justice and equality for Israelis and Palestinians. ” Moriah Ella Mason, 27, from Pittsburgh who is a member of Jewish Voice for Peace said: “This vote comes after a full ten years of dialogue, study, corporate engagement, shareholder activism and more by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with the three American corporations– Hewlett-Packard, Caterpillar, and Motorola Solutions --who have all refused to modify their practices. By all accounts Presbyterians have done their due diligence.“ For more information: www.jvp.org/GApress About Jewish Voice for Peace www.jvp.org Jewish Voice for Peace has over 130,000 online supporters, 40 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Cabinet, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists. === Robert Naiman Policy Director Just Foreign Policy www.justforeignpolicy.org [email protected] (202) 448-2898 x1
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