June, 18 2014, 09:20am EDT
Presbyterian Middle East Committee Votes Strongly in Favor of Divestment
Detroit] Jewish Voice for Peace applauds today's vote of the Middle East Committee at the 221st Presbyterian General Assembly to bring the question of divestment from three American corporations to the floor of the convention later this week. The vote was 45 for, 20 against.
DETROIT
Detroit] Jewish Voice for Peace applauds today's vote of the Middle East Committee at the 221st Presbyterian General Assembly to bring the question of divestment from three American corporations to the floor of the convention later this week. The vote was 45 for, 20 against.
Rabbi Alissa Wise, Director of Organizing at Jewish Voice for Peace said: "I am so impressed by the deliberate and heartfelt process I witnessed in committee. The result of this powerful witness is a true compromise which includes investing in the Palestinian economy, commitment to reconciliation, and divestment from American companies profiting from the Israeli occupation."
Carolyn Klaasen, 27, from New York City chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace said: "Voting for divestment is a powerful statement of conscience. It speaks to the Presbyterian heartfelt witness and desire to realize an end to the Israeli occupation and for peace, justice and equality for Israelis and Palestinians. "
Moriah Ella Mason, 27, from Pittsburgh who is a member of Jewish Voice for Peace said: "This vote comes after a full ten years of dialogue, study, corporate engagement, shareholder activism and more by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with the three American corporations- Hewlett-Packard, Caterpillar, and Motorola Solutions --who have all refused to modify their practices. By all accounts Presbyterians have done their due diligence."
For more information: www.jvp.org/GApress
Jewish Voice for Peace is a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. JVP has over 200,000 online supporters, over 70 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.
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