GUEST COMMENTARY I was a member of the Middle East Issues Committee of this summer’s General Assembly.  Though we had inadequate time to address every issue with the thoroughness it deserved, the decision to divest from three American companies whose equipment is being used by the Israeli military for non-peaceful purposes was thoughtful, informed and, I believe, consistent with our stated values as a denomination. To portray the divestment decision as a one-sided gesture is wrong.  It could more justifiably be said that we were one-sided in our investment in equipment used in the conflict by Israel.  To redirect our investment portfolio toward products and services that are not connected to military uses is our longstanding investment policy. This is the closest policy to neutrality, which is a value many advocate in their opposition to this divestment decision. To continue to tie the divestment decision with “Zionism Unsettled” is wrong.  I daresay most members of the Middle … [Read more...]