US Protestant church backs off from outright economic boycott of Israel

A major mainline American Protestant church has backed off proposals to divest from companies doing business in Israel, following intensive lobbying by Jewish groups. However, the United Church of Christ (UCC) has not ruled out the possibility of divesting from companies that "appear to profit from conflict," as a last resort. The UCC has a $3-billion national investment portfolio. After hearing appeals from both Jewish and Palestinian representatives, delegates for the 1.3-million-member denomination voted overwhelmingly for what many viewed as a compromise – a proposal calling for "multiple, nonviolent strategies, including economic leverage, to promote peace in the Middle East." The plan calls for UCC-related agencies and congregations to encourage nonviolent approaches to resolving conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and, as a final resort, divesting from companies that "profit from violence." Peter Makari, the church's executive director for the Middle East and Europe, said the church remained committed to religious dialogue and participation among Jews, Christians and Muslims. Last summer, the Presbyterian Church (USA) had endorsed selective divestment, spurring similar votes by the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church and the World Council of Churches.