The Divestment Debate Is On!

Check Out the Moral Arguments, Pro & Con

Caterpillar bulldozer destroying Palestinian homes

Should the church continue investing in companies “profiting from non-peaceful activities in Israel-Palestine”?

Following Friday, February 17th’s decision by the PC(USA) General Assembly Mission Council to recommend divestment of three companies for their key roles in maintaining the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the comment page has been humming with debate. This will be one of the hotter debates at the PC(USA) General Assembly, on procedural, factual, strategic, and (through all these factors) moral grounds. Certain Jewish groups, such as the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, immediately denounced the GAMC recommendation, claiming that it seeks to “de-legitimize” Israel. Other Jewish groups, such as the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council, have offered their support. In fact, the recommendation focuses with precision on the occupation and expanding settlements, which are illegal under international law and probably the chief obstacle to meaningful negotiation. But read the debate for yourself (scroll down the comments section below the article).

Read the Mission Responsibility through Investment (MRTI) Report to the 2012 General Assembly

Read Unbound‘s coverage of the Jewish Voice for Peace letter, including resources for further study