Overture 85
On Pursuing Our Historic Vision of Peace in the
Middle East, and on Suspending for Two Years the Phased, Selective
Divestment Process—From the Presbytery of Seattle.
The Presbytery of Seattle
respectfully overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) to
approve the following resolution:
The 217th General Assembly (2006) of the Presbyterian
Church (U. S. A.) resolves to do the following:
1. Pursue faithfully and consistently our
historic vision of peace and security for all peoples of the
Middle East region.
2. Suspend for two years the “phased,
selective divestment process” initiated by the 216th General
Assembly (2004) in order to build up a relationship with groups
among Palestinians and Israelis who are actively working for
peace.
3. Encourage congregations and other entities
of the PC(USA) to initiate engagement with companies, not-for-profits,
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and diplomatic efforts
that promote a just and lasting peace in the region.
4. Reaffirm the PC(USA) support for a two-state
solution to the present conflict, believing that Palestinians
have a right to freedom, security, and self-governance within
their own state and, further, that such a state must be established
within safe and secure borders and be economically viable.
5. Reaffirm the commitment of the PC(USA)
to the vitality and well-being of the state of Israel, and maintain
Israel’s right to exist as a state and Israel’s
right to defend itself against terrorism and acts of violence
that threaten its security.
6. Encourage and applaud efforts by individual
Presbyterians, congregations, and judicatories of our church
to communicate directly and regularly with Jewish, Christian,
and Muslim communities, sponsor programs likely to improve relations
among Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and invest in the peace
of the Middle East.
Rationale
A large majority of Israelis and Palestinians
prefer peace with their neighbors, rather than violence and
war, and are ready to make hard sacrifices to achieve it. We
as Presbyterians who believe in and promote
peace ought to offer them encouragement and support.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has given
longstanding support to a just and lasting peace in the Middle
East, and we believe that our church can play a positive role
in fostering Middle East peace. However, the action taken by
the 216th General Assembly (2004) regarding a process of selective
divestment in companies doing business with Israel caused considerable
division and distrust, both within our church and within the
Jewish community, both in the United States and in Israel.
It is wrong to single out Israel by means
of that policy, when other states and parties in the region
are also guilty of serious human-rights violations that can
and must be addressed. This decision distracts the PC(USA) from
its historic commitment to a two-state solution to the conflict.
This overture would correct the actions taken
in 2004, which have caused so much disruption, moving instead
in a positive and productive way toward a just, equitable, and
lasting settlement of the problems in the Middle East.
|
