Read the resolution and background information
Selective Israel divestment resolution passes
By Kate Goodspeed
Delegates and clergy to this
year’s annual meeting of the
Rocky Mountain Conference passed a resolution urging the UCC to study
and consider selective divestment from companies involved with Israel’s
occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the building of the “security
fence,” and the settlements within Palestinian territory. The
resolution, which is similar to resolutions passed in several other
conferences and to resolutions that were considered at General Synod,
was initiated by the Peace and Justice Task Force.
Kate Goodspeed, the drafter and presenter of the resolution, told
the attendees that divestment was supported and called for by a number
of Israeli, Jewish, and Palestinian Christian peace groups, among
many others. Resource packets were distributed that contained supporting
statements from Jewish Voice for Peace, Bishop Desmond Tutu, the
World Council of Churches, Global Exchange, an Ex-Israeli Soldier,
the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions (ICAHD), and the Sabeel
Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem. Goodspeed pointed
out that all these groups agree that economic pressure is a non-violent
and necessary step to take to end the occupation.
At a hearing prior to the vote, many concerns coming from local
churches, delegates, and clergy were brought up, resulting in some
modification in the text before the resolution was adopted at the
final business meeting.
Discussion of this resolution revealed both substantial support and
significant opposition.
The Peace and Justice Task Force plans to put together a study packet
for local churches later this summer.
Goodspeed has been invited and has accepted
an invitation to attend the General Synod meeting over the 4th
of July weekend in Atlanta,
Georgia to work with other grass roots activists from around the
country within the church to support the divestment effort. She said, “I
look forward with great hope to the day when true peace with justice
can come to Israelis and Palestinians alike.” |
