Are US Churches Shifting Their Allegiance On Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?
The United Church of Christ's general synod voted yesterday to divest from companies that have "been found to profit from the occupation of the Palestinian territories by the state of Israel." Two other mainline Churches are deciding on similar resolutions this week.
Companies mentioned in the UCC's resolution include Caterpillar Inc, Motorola Solutions, Hewlett-Packard, G4S and Veolia. The resolution also calls for boycotting Israeli goods made in the occupied territories.
The synod, which represents the Church's 1.1 million members, passed the resolution with 508 in favour, 124 against, and 38 abstentions. However, a second resolution, which described Israel's actions in the occupied territories as acts of "apartheid" failed to gain the two-thirds majority needed, but received 312 votes in favour, 295 against and 31 abstentions.
The Episcopal Church was also due to decide on its resolution about divestment on Tuesday evening at its general convention in Salt Lake City and it is thought that the Mennonite Church will vote on the issue tonight.
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http://www.christiantoday.com/article/are.us.churches.shifting.their.allegiance.on.israeli.palestinian.conflict/57757.htm
