Presbyterian divestment targets Israel

DETROIT – The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Friday became the most prominent religious group in the United States to endorse divestment as a protest against Israeli policies toward Palestinians, voting to sell church stock in three companies whose products Israel uses in the occupied territories.

The General Assembly voted by a razor-thin margin – 310-303 – to sell stock in Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard and Motorola Solutions. Two years ago, the General Assembly rejected a similar divestment proposal by two votes.

The American Jewish Committee, a policy and advocacy group based in New York, said the vote was “driven by hatred of Israel.”

But Heath Rada, moderator for the church meeting, said immediately after the vote that “in no way is this a reflection of our lack of love for our Jewish brothers and sisters.”

The decision is expected to reverberate beyond the 1.8 million-member church.

It comes amid discouragement over failed peace talks that have left activists desperate for some way to effect change and as the broader movement known as BDS – or boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel – has gained some momentum in the U.S., Israel’s closest and most important ally.

The top Presbyterian legislative body has been considering divestment for a decade. Representatives of the Presbyterian socially responsible investment arm told the national meeting in Detroit that their efforts to lobby the three companies for change had failed.

A church spokeswoman estimated the value of Presbyterian holdings in the companies at $21 million.