San Francisco
- "Reaffirm the 216th General Assembly decision to
initiate a process of phased, selective divestment of
multinational corporations that contribute to the construction
of the separation barrier, profit from the Israeli occupation of
the West Bank, or Palestinian violence."
- "Direct the MRTI [PCUSA's Mission Responsibility
through Investments Committee] to recommend opportunities for
investment in joint Palestinian-Israeli ventures, including
those provided by organizations such as Oikocredit, which
benefit both peoples.
Chicago
- Require that investments of the PCUSA, as they pertain to
Israel, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, be invested in
only peaceful pursuits, and affirm that the customary General
Assembly Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investments
process of our denomination – in conjunction with
appropriate reinvestment of funds where necessary – is the
proper vehicle for achieving this goal."
- "The human mission to repair the world articulated in
Jewish scriptures is also of a piece with the theological views
of other faiths, including our own Christian faith, regarding
humankind's responsibilities for justice and peace."
New York City
- "Actively foster peace, reconciliation, and community
development between Israelis and Palestinians. This should
involve the intentional use of the funds of the church in two
ways to support social, economic, and cultural integration of
their communities: first, to explore ways to partner with
non-governmental organizations, and to support church-related
mission efforts, that seek to promote the peaceful and
productive living together of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim
Israelis and Palestinians; and, second, to explore ways to
invest in for-profit enterprises that actively engender peaceful
cooperation by Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East
through such enterprises' own hiring practices, specific
projects, and specific investments."
Transylvania
- "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. … Some Jewish leaders and
organizations believe that the resolutions of the 216th General
Assembly reflect an attitude of anti-semitism" but "comments
by Presbyterian Church leaders indicate 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, and
has no place within the life of the Presbyterian Church (USA)."
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Mississippi
- Delete key paragraphs in the 2004 resolution, including the
call for divestment, because " (a) the language is
unnecessarily harsh and accusatory; (b) the tone and
prescriptions are arrogant and condescending towards the parties
involved; (c) the viewpoint expressed suggests bias in favor of
the Palestinian cause and prejudice against Israel; and (d)
advocacy of phased selective divestment is punitive rather than
redemptive-particularly in light of the rapidly changing
circumstances on the ground."
- "In the future, it would be better for the church to
engage in discussion and dialogue before votes on significant
theological or social positions are taken. The damage done to
Presbyterian-Jewish relations could have been minimized had the
church been encouraged to debate and discuss the overtures that,
in their cumulative effect, have been construed as anti-Israel.
Many churches first learned of these actions from Jewish
friends. This is not good process and does not further the
peace, unity, or purity of the church."
Great Rivers
- Remove Caterpillar from divestment list. (Presbytery's
headquarters is in Peoria, Ill., the world headquarters of
Caterpillar.)
- "The action supporting divestment talks was perceived
by many as an attempt to damage corporate reputations. The
action has, instead, damaged the reputation of the PCUSA."
- "Recognize Caterpillar for its responsible actions as a
global corporate citizen."
James
- "Repeal, rescind and declare null and void" the
divestment clause.
- "The underlying purpose of divestment is to inflict
economic hardship and harm on companies doing business in Israel
or areas under the Palestinian Authority. There are some cases
where such economic sanctions can be justified. In the present
situation, however, where there is justice and injustice on both
sides, it is unjustified and inappropriate."
- "Had this peacemaking initiative been distributed
before the 216th General Assembly (2004), Presbyterians could
have discussed the issues among ourselves and with our
ecumenical partners and Jewish friends in an atmosphere of trust
and inquiry rather than after-the-fact in a defensive and highly
charged atmosphere of suspicion and broken trust."
Florida
- "Be fair, evenhanded, and just in the language and
actions in decisions regarding divestment and investment. …
We believe the perception within the church and in the world is
that the actions of the 216th General Assembly were biased
against Israel. ... The situation in the Middle East is fluid
and changing daily and efforts toward peace are being made by
both Palestinians and the government of Israel."
New Covenant
- Cease consideration of divestment "to focus … on
Palestinian and Israeli reinvestment for a positive, helpful,
and peaceful future rather than punitive acts of divestment; and
to consider criteria for future investments weighted toward
those companies that are planning and/or carrying out economic
benefits in both Israel and the Palestinian Territories through
such items as [1] increasing job opportunities, [2] increasing
social and health-care infrastructures, and/or [3] involving
collaborative and cooperative ventures between currently or
previously conflicted peoples."
Shepard and Lapsley
- "Move from the divestment strategy of the 216th General
Assembly to a strategy of investment in businesses,
not-for-profit programs, NGO's, and diplomatic efforts that are
likely to promote peace and reconciliation between Israelis and
Palestinians. In that regard, to the extent that the 216th
General Assembly authorized the Mission Responsibility Through
Investment Committee (MRTI), or any other PCUSA body, to
implement a strategy of divestment from Israel, that authority
is hereby rescinded."
East Virginia
- "Direct that, pending adoption of a new policy statement
on the Middle East, the "process of phased selective
divestment in multinational corporations doing business in
Israel" initiated by the 216th General Assembly (2004) be
suspended."
- Appoint a task force to report on "the theological basis
for Christian engagement in the Middle East; the state of
partner churches in the region; the challenges to Christian
evangelism in word and deed there; violations of religious
freedom and other human rights; the fomenting of hatred and
discrimination against minority ethnic and religious groups;
poverty and its causes in the region; lack of education and
health care; the rights of women and children and other
vulnerable persons; military occupations and other impositions
of government without the consent of the governed; nuclear
proliferation and other threats by states to destroy their
neighbors; terrorist acts against non-combatants and the states
and organizations that sponsor such attacks; threats of
environmental degradation; visions for how conflicts within and
between nations in the region might be reconciled and a greater
measure of justice and peace might be achieved; examples of how
the Presbyterian Church (USA) and its mission partners might
make steps in those directions."
Seattle
- "Suspend for two (2) years the 'phased, selective
divestment process' … in order to build up a relationship
with groups among Palestinians and Israelis who are actively
working for peace; reaffirm the PCUSA 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; reaffirm the PCUSA's commitment 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."
Sierra Blanca
- Cease the process of divestment.
- Explore "investment opportunities in both Israel and
Palestine which might lead to a helpful and constructive
contribution which supports the peace process and the promotion
of social righteousness."Affirm the "expressed desire
of previous years' Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assemblies
for peace and security for both Israeli and Palestinian people,
and for a just resolution of conflict in the Middle East in ways
that exhibit the kingdom of Heaven to the world."
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