World Council of Churches Recommends MidEast Selective Divestment
The recommendation, comparable to the controversial “selective divestment” policy of the PC(USA), says the Israeli occupation of the disputed Middle East territory is “illegal” and should therefore be placed under “economic pressu
The World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee encouraged its members to consider divesting from companies profiting from the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, during its weeklong meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 21, 2005.
The recommendation, comparable to the controversial “selective divestment” policy of the Presbyterian Church USA that prompted a firestorm of criticism from conservative Christians and Jews alike, says the Israeli occupation of the disputed Middle East territory is “illegal” and should therefore be placed under “economic pressure”.
“[The WCC] reminds churches with investment funds that they have an opportunity to use those funds responsibly in support of peaceful solutions to conflict. Economic pressure, appropriately and openly applied, is one such means of action,” the four-pronged plan of action reads.
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The other recommended actions are that the Central Committee:
“encourages member churches to work for peace in new ways and to give serious consideration to economic measures that are equitable, transparent and non-violent;
”persuades member churches to keep in good contact with sister churches embarking on such initiatives with a view to support and counsel one another; and
”urges the establishment of more and wider avenues of engagement between Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities pursuing peace”
The statement, meanwhile, notes that there has been a “renewal of hope” in the relationship between Israel and Palestine.
“The churches welcome that momentum is building for peace and for solutions which credibly engage those who must make peace, the powerful as well as the weak,” the statement reads.
The following is the full text of the Feb. 21 statement:
Minute on Certain Economic Measures for Peace in Israel/Palestine
In the conflict in Israel and Palestine there is a renewal of hope although there is not yet a reduction of the threats that separate the parties to the conflict. Palestinians have now organized two elections with constructive effect, despite continuing occupation, and plan another at mid-year. The churches welcome that momentum is building for peace and for solutions which credibly engage those who must make peace, the powerful as well as the weak.
The churches note the growing witness and impact of church engagement that includes both Israelis and Palestinians. The WCC-led Ecumenical Accompaniment Program (EAPPI) is present and supportive of both Palestinians and Israelis who suffer under current circumstances. There is also growing interest among churches in taking new actions that demonstrate commitment to and enhance prospects for a just, equitable and lasting peace in both Israel and Palestine.
Notable among these are initiatives within churches to become better stewards of justice in economic affairs which link them to on-going violations of international law in occupied territory. The Central Committee takes note of the current action by the Presbyterian Church (USA) which has initiated a process of phased, selective divestment from multinational corporations involved in the occupation. This action is commendable in both method and manner, uses criteria rooted in faith, and calls members to do the “things that make for peace” (Luke 19:42).
The concern here is to abide by law as the foundation for a just peace. Multinational corporations have been involved in the demolition of Palestinian homes, and are involved in the construction of settlements and settlement infrastructure on occupied territory, in building a dividing wall which is also largely inside occupied territory, and in other violations of international law being carried out beyond the internationally recognized borders of the State of Israel determined by the Armistice of 1949.
In this 38th year of occupation the desire for a just and equitable peace is growing. For churches of the WCC such hopes are guided by positions and programmes that reflect a search for truth amid much trouble.
The WCC has called, since 1969, for “effective international guarantees for the political independence and territorial integrity of all nations in the area, including Israel” and restated the concern at regular intervals, most recently in recognizing, in 2004, Israel’s “serious and legitimate security concerns”.
In 1992, the WCC Central Committee stated that “criticism of the policies of the Israeli government is not in itself anti-Jewish”. During the Oslo peace process of the 1990s churches supported civil society projects of rapprochement between communities in conflict in the Holy Land.
In 1995, the Central Committee established criteria for economic actions in the service of justice, namely, that these must be part of a broader strategy of peacemaking, address flagrant and persistent violations, have a clear and limited purpose plus proportionality and adequate monitoring, and are carried out transparently.
In 2001, the WCC Executive Committee recommended an international boycott of goods produced in illegal settlements on occupied territory, and the WCC-related APRODEV agencies in Europe are now working to have Israeli settlement products fully and properly identified before shipment to the European Community in accordance with the terms of the EU’s Association Agreement with Israel.
Yet illegal activities in occupied territory continue as if a viable peace for both peoples is not a possibility. We are not blind to facts and must not be complicit in them even unwittingly. The Central Committee, meeting in Geneva 15-22 February 2005 therefore:
encourages member churches to work for peace in new ways and to give serious consideration to economic measures that are equitable, transparent and non-violent;
persuades member churches to keep in good contact with sister churches embarking on such initiatives with a view to support and counsel one another;
urges the establishment of more and wider avenues of engagement between Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities pursuing peace;
reminds churches with investment funds that they have an opportunity to use those funds responsibly in support of peaceful solutions to conflict. Economic pressure, appropriately and openly applied, is one such means of action.
[WCC Central Committee - Geneva, 21 February 2005]
