The World Council of Churches, which compromises 342 Protestant and Orthodox denominations, has called for divestment from Israel.
The World Council of Churches, the main global body uniting non-Catholic Christians, encouraged members Tuesday to sell off investments in companies profiting from Israeli control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Student Government Senate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn voted unanimously to recommend that the UM Regents divest from Israel.
On Tuesday February 22, 2005, the Student Government Senate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn voted without opposition to adopt Senate Resolution (SR) # 2005-009 calling on the "University of Michigan Board of Regents [to] create an advisory committee to investigate the moral and ethical implications of the University's investments in companies which directly support and benefit from the ongoing illegal Israeli occupation."
Noboby pays any attention to the WCC, though.
Posted by: | February 24, 2005 at 06:17 AM
The question isn't whether or not anybody pays attention the WCC; its the question of how much wealth the WCC would divest. Scott, I haven't found anything related to the economic impact, have you?
Posted by: adwred | February 24, 2005 at 12:09 PM
I don't know how much $ the WCC has that could potentially be divested. The linked Haaretz article mentions that the Presbyterians alone have $8 billion in investments, though no one knows how much could be divested.
Even if just half of the congregations in the WCC divest, my guess is that it will add up to the tens of billions. It will certainly be enough to get Israel's attention and to have an impact.
Posted by: scott | February 25, 2005 at 12:12 AM
That was my point in the earlier post -- nobody pays any attention to them, and I really don't think they speak for more than few people (though many churches might belong, there can be a big gap between the political and social views of the denominational administration and the person in the pew; e.g. the PCUSA's HQ in Louisville and its actual congregants are notoriously out of step with each other). I doubt that any will divest on the basis of the WCC's recommendation, if they weren't already inclined to do so anyway.
Posted by: | February 25, 2005 at 05:11 AM
Hey anonymous, you should leave your name so we can get to know you. But thanks for commenting anyway.
While you're more pessimistic (or realistic?) than I, I'm more inclined to agree with you than not. I don't expect that just cause the WCC said something that all their members are going to take action on it. It's certainly true about the situation with the PCUSA, though I would chalk that more up to the influence and orchestrated alarm of pro-Israel groups and various pro-Israel media outlets than actual congregant based opposition.
All I hope to see come out of a declaration from a group like the WCC is for people to see another "mainstream" stating support for divestment. It's another chink in the armor on the path to making divestment a reality.
Posted by: scott | February 25, 2005 at 05:40 AM
If divestment is ever realised, it will have a deleterious flow-on effect, harming your PLO friends as they rely heavily on the Israeli economy. Guaranteed that as pressure is exerted, Newton’s Law will apply. Israel will find other ways of dealing with the loss in any case.
Posted by: Scott1 | February 27, 2005 at 05:27 AM
Don't forget Genesis 12:3 "I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse."
Posted by: Bill Brister | February 28, 2005 at 06:16 PM
Will everyone divest when their cancer needs treatment which would be cured by the newest cures in Haifa ?
Posted by: Earth56 | March 18, 2005 at 11:01 AM