American Protestants pass anti-Israel resolution

A major Protestant denomination in the United States has asked Israel to tear down the security barrier along the West Bank and to pay reparations to Palestinians harmed by it. More than 3,000 delegates of the Christian Church - Disciples of Christ at a Portland reunion approved a resolution stating the barrier has had "devastating effects on the lives and livelihoods of Palestinians living in the occupied territories" and they should be compensated for their losses. The vote by the Disciples of Christ follows passage of a similar resolution by the United Church of Christ earlier this month. Jewish groups called the resolution "anti-Semitic" as removing the barrier would put Israeli citizens in danger of becoming victims of terrorist attacks.