Overture 36

On Proceeds from the Sale of Divested Holdings—From the Presbytery of Transylvania.

The Presbytery of Transylvania overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) to ensure that whenever such a divestment occurs, then whatever proceeds are realized from the sale of those holdings be reinvested in corporations whose business in Israel is positive, helpful, and peaceful.

Rationale

The 216th General Assembly requested the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) to initiate a process of phased selective divestment in multinational corporations operating in Israel and expressed its opposition to the security barriers separating Israelis and Palestinians.

Some Jewish leaders and organizations believe that the resolutions of the 216th General Assembly (2004) reflect an attitude of anti-Semitism.

Comments by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders indicated that anti-Semitism or bias against the nation of Israel and the Jewish people was not the intent of any resolution at the 216th General Assembly (2004), and has no place within the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).