February 21, 2005
The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee reminded the
Council's member churches that "with investment funds, they have an
opportunity to use those funds responsibly in support of peaceful
solutions" to the Israel/Palestine conflict.
The WCC governing body encouraged the Council's member churches "to
give serious consideration to economic measures" as a new way to work
for peace, by looking at ways to not participate economically in
illegal activities related to the Israeli occupation. In that sense,
the committee affirmed "economic pressure, appropriately and openly
applied," as a "means of action."
As an example, the WCC governing body mentions the "process of
phased, selective divestment from multinational corporations involved
in the occupation" now being implemented by the Presbyterian Church
(USA). "This action is commendable in both method and manner, [and]
uses criteria rooted in faith."
The recommendation, approved one day before the end of the 15-22
February meeting of the Council's governing body in Geneva, is
contained in a minute addressed to WCC member churches. In it, the
committee also notes that "in the conflict in Israel and Palestine
there is a renewal of hope, although there is not yet a reduction of
the threats that separate the parties."
The document points out that "illegal activities in occupied
territory continue as if a viable peace for both peoples is not a
possibility," and that multinational corporations have been involved
in a number of "violations of international law" within that
territory.
The committee's 150 members affirm: "The concern here is to abide by
law as the foundation for a just peace." "We are not blind to facts
and must not be complicit in them even unwittingly."
While highlighting the "growing witness and impact of church
engagement that includes both Israelis and Palestinians," including
initiatives like the WCC-led Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in
Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), the committee also "urges the
establishment of more and wider avenues of engagement between
Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities pursuing peace."
As a frame for its recommendation, the WCC governing body recalls
both its 1992 statement that "criticism of the policies of the
Israeli government is not in itself anti-Jewish," and its 1969 call
for "effective international guarantees for the political
independence and territorial integrity of all nations in the area,
including Israel." It also mentions its 2004 recognition of Israel's
"serious and legitimate security concerns."
The full text of the WCC central committee minute follows:
Minute on Certain Economic Measures for Peace in Israel/Palestine
In the conflict in Israel and Palestine there is a renewal of hope
although there is not yet a reduction of the threats that separate
the parties to the conflict. Palestinians have now organized two
elections with constructive effect, despite continuing occupation,
and plan another at mid-year. The churches welcome that momentum is
building for peace and for solutions which credibly engage those who
must make peace, the powerful as well as the weak.
The churches note the growing witness and impact of church engagement
that includes both Israelis and Palestinians. The WCC-led Ecumenical
Accompaniment Program (EAPPI) is present and supportive of both
Palestinians and Israelis who suffer under current circumstances.
There is also growing interest among churches in taking new actions
that demonstrate commitment to and enhance prospects for a just,
equitable and lasting peace in both Israel and Palestine.
Notable among these are initiatives within churches to become better
stewards of justice in economic affairs which link them to on-going
violations of international law in occupied territory. The Central
Committee takes note of the current action by the Presbyterian Church
(USA) which has initiated a process of phased, selective divestment
from multinational corporations involved in the occupation. This
action is commendable in both method and manner, uses criteria rooted
in faith, and calls members to do the "things that make for peace"
(Luke 19:42).
The concern here is to abide by law as the foundation for a just
peace. Multinational corporations have been involved in the
demolition of Palestinian homes, and are involved in the construction
of settlements and settlement infrastructure on occupied territory,
in building a dividing wall which is also largely inside occupied
territory, and in other violations of international law being carried
out beyond the internationally recognized borders of the State of
Israel determined by the Armistice of 1949.
In this 38th year of occupation the desire for a just and equitable
peace is growing. For churches of the WCC such hopes are guided by
positions and programmes that reflect a search for truth amid much
trouble.
The WCC has called, since 1969, for "effective international
guarantees for the political independence and territorial integrity
of all nations in the area, including Israel" and restated the
concern at regular intervals, most recently in recognizing, in 2004,
Israel's "serious and legitimate security concerns."
In 1992, the WCC Central Committee stated that "criticism of the
policies of the Israeli government is not in itself anti-Jewish."
During the Oslo peace process of the 1990s churches supported civil
society projects of rapprochement between communities in conflict in
the Holy Land.
In 1995, the Central Committee established criteria for economic
actions in the service of justice, namely, that these must be part of
a broader strategy of peacemaking, address flagrant and persistent
violations, have a clear and limited purpose plus proportionality and
adequate monitoring, and are carried out transparently.
In 2001, the WCC Executive Committee recommended an international
boycott of goods produced in illegal settlements on occupied
territory, and the WCC-related APRODEV agencies in Europe are now
working to have Israeli settlement products fully and properly
identified before shipment to the European Community in accordance
with the terms of the EU's Association Agreement with Israel.
Yet illegal activities in occupied territory continue as if a viable
peace for both peoples is not a possibility. We are not blind to
facts and must not be complicit in them even unwittingly. The Central
Committee, meeting in Geneva 15-22 February 2005 therefore:
• encourages member churches to work for peace in new ways and to give
serious consideration to economic measures that are equitable,
transparent and non-violent;
• persuades member churches to keep in good contact with sister
churches embarking on such initiatives with a view to support and
counsel one another;
• urges the establishment of more and wider avenues of engagement
between Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities pursuing peace;
• reminds churches with investment funds that they have an opportunity
to use those funds responsibly in support of peaceful solutions to
conflict. Economic pressure, appropriately and openly applied, is one
such means of action.
[WCC Central Committee - Geneva, 21 February 2005]
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