[Peace-discuss] Presbyterian ME cmte votes to divest from 3 companies linked to Israeli occupation

Tue Jun 17 19:46:42 EDT 2014

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

info at theIPMN.org
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, jesseyurow at jvp.org

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
naiman at justforeignpolicy.org
(202) 448-2898 x1
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