Saturday, June 21, 2014

Presbyterians dump Israel-invested stock

DETROIT (AP) - 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."
I have yet to read one of these stories and find that Israel was willing to discuss and defend its actual policies towards Palestinians. "You hate us" seems to be the best they can muster. Is that an honest argument or is it more an admission that something is indeed awry?

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