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October 5, 2004

Episcopalians likely to consider Israeli divestment

by Kevin Eckstrom
Religion News Service

WASHINGTON — Two top officials of the Episcopal Church said an investments panel will recommend a 12-month study of whether the denomination should divest from companies operating in Israel, following a similar move earlier this year by the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly.

      The Presbyterians’ decision to “initiate the process of selective, phased divestment” has angered Jewish groups who say the action is unfair. A high-level summit Sept. 28 in New York failed to find common ground between the two faiths.

      Episcopal Bishop Christopher Epting, the church’s ecumenical director, and the Rev. Brian Grieves, director of its peace and justice division, said recommendations on pulling church investments are expected in November from the church’s Socially Responsible Investment Committee.

      The panel will recommend a 12-month investigation into what investments are “appropriate with companies that contribute to the ongoing (Israeli) Occupation (of Palestinian territories), especially in the areas of home demolitions, settlement building and the separation wall,” Epting and Grieves said Oct. 1 in a joint statement.

      The panel met Sept. 24-25 to consider the issue after a delegation from the Anglican Peace and Justice Network said it would urge divestment by the Anglican Communion next June. The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion.

      Ultimately, each of the 38 provinces in the Anglican Communion would set its own policy. In the Episcopal Church, decisions would be made by the church’s Executive Council “and/or” its General Convention legislative gathering, which next meets in 2006.

      Epting and Grieves said the church will “welcome input” from other churches and Jewish groups. They also hinted that divestment could be adopted by dioceses and parishes “that may be interested in this effort.”

      Jewish leaders say divestment from Israel does not threaten similar sanctions against Palestinians and puts Israeli security at risk. They are also concerned that divestment could spread to other churches.

      David Elcott, interfaith director for the American Jewish Committee, plans to meet with Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold on the matter next week and said he is confident that the Episcopalians will not follow suit.

      “The Presbyterians voted with no conversation (with Jews) and were surprised by the response they got,” Elcott said. “The Episcopalians are not making that type of error.”