10 years ago — Sept. 13, 2004
The 216th General Assembly meeting in Richmond, Virginia, began the process of exploring divesture in some companies that do business in Israel. The overture was presented by St. Augustine Presbytery in Florida. It grew out of justice concerns for Palestinians without sacrificing the denomination’s long commitment to Israel. Victor Makari, PC(USA)’s regional liaison for the Middle East and Europe affirmed the denomination’s concern over the past 35 years of the injustice of the occupation. “We have taken very clear actions that address the occupation, but also condemned and denounced suicide bombings and attacks on innocent people. And nothing has produced any significant results. So apparently the move … for divesture is one to send a strong message that we are serious about the actions … of Israel towards the Palestinian people, not unmindful of the harm that befalls innocent Israelis from extremist acts of violence … . The purpose … is to send a clear message that the church is serious about the injustice that is occurring in the Holy Land.” From the article “Disagreeing to agree: PC(USA) divesture vote leads to anti-semitic charges” by Leslie Scanlon.
