a) welcomes the September 22nd 2004 statement by the Anglican Peace and Justice Network on
the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict (Pages 12 - 14 of the Report)
b) commends the resolve of the Episcopal Church (USA) to take appropriate action where it
finds that its corporate investments support the occupation of Palestinian lands or violence
against innocent Israelis, and i) commends such a process to other Provinces having such
investments, to be considered in line with their adopted ethical investment strategies ii)
encourages investment strategies that support the infrastructure of a future Palestinian State
c) requests the Office of the Anglican Observer to the United Nations, through or in association
with the UN Working Committee on Peace in the Middle East, as well as through this Council,
and as a priority of that Office, to support and advocate the implementation of UN Resolutions
242 and 338 directed towards peace, justice and co-existence in the Holy
Land.http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-
0506250089jun25,1,4406976.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed
(from Brian Grieves, Director, Peace and Justice Ministries of the Episcopal Church)
Published in the Chicago Tribune June 25, 2005
LONDON, BRITAIN -- The Anglican Communion's international advisory body voted Friday to
urge the church to weigh withdrawing investments in companies that back the occupation of
Palestinian territories.
The move, presented as a message of solidarity with Palestinian Christians, was attacked by
Jewish groups, with some predicting a chill in Anglican-Jewish relations.
By voting to support divestiture, the Anglican Consultative Council recommended to its 38
provinces that they support a 2004 report that condemns Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
Friday, June 24, 2005 By Andrew Gray
LONDON (Reuters) - A leading body for Anglican Christians urged churches on Friday to put
pressure on firms that support Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, a measure some
say could mean selling stock as a last resort.
The resolution passed unanimously by the Anglican Consultative Council, meeting in the central
English city of Nottingham, also recommended the same measures for any business that supports
violence against innocent Israelis.
But it is the stance on the occupation that has drawn most attention and criticism both inside and
outside the church. The office of Britain's chief rabbi condemned the decision.
The resolution's supporters say it reflects deep concern about the suffering of Palestinians. They
also say churches who hold stakes in firms they want to pressure should first try to get them to
change their practices.
"If we do decide to go ahead with this, then it would be in terms of corporate engagement rather
than divestment," said Brian Grieves, a U.S. Anglican clergyman.
But he added: "If the company is unresponsive ... then you have to consider your options, of
which selling the stock is one."
Opponents, who include the former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, have argued that
the resolution will antagonise Israelis and harm efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.
The decision follows moves by the U.S. Presbyterian Church to consider selling holdings in
companies that profit from the occupation and a statement by the World Council of Churches, a
global body uniting non-Catholic Christians, backing divestment.
The Episcopal Church, the main Anglican church in the United States, is also studying what
action it might take against companies involved in home demolitions, settlement building and
other activity connected with the Israeli occupation.
JEWISH GROUPS UPSET
Discussions about divestment have upset Jewish groups, which accuse its backers of one-sided
thinking about the Middle East.
"Moves toward divestment represent a flawed and disastrous course. They will do nothing to
advance the twin causes of security for Israel and statehood for the Palestinians," said rabbi
Barry Marcus, an adviser to Britain's chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
"I am amazed that the ACC feels that passing these resolutions will have a constructive and
helpful impact."
The council in Nottingham commended "the resolve of the Episcopal Church (USA) to take
appropriate action where it finds that its corporate investments support the occupation of
Palestinian lands or violence against innocent Israelis".
It also commended "such a process to other provinces having such investments, to be considered
in line with their adopted ethical investment strategies".
The council's decisions are not binding but it is one of four key institutions in the 77-million
member Anglican church. The resolution also encourages churches to back investments
supporting the infrastructure of a future Palestinian state.
© Reuters 2005.
By the Associated Press, June 26, 2005
NOTTINGHAM, England - A council of the worldwide Anglican Communion urged its member
churches to put pressure on companies linked to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories,
including possibly divesting their money from such businesses.
The Anglican Consultative Council voted unanimously Friday for a resolution that suggested the
38 national churches examine their investments to make sure companies in which they have
holdings do not support either the occupation or Palestinian violence against innocent Israelis.
Israel said it was troubled by the move, which it called "extremely one-sided."
The resolution praised the American Episcopal Church for vowing to "take appropriate action
where it finds that its corporate investments support the occupation of Palestinian lands or
violence against innocent Israelis."
It said it "commends such a process to other (church) provinces having such investments, to be
considered in line with their adopted ethical investment strategies."
The council "encourages investment strategies that support the infrastructure of a future
Palestinian state," the resolution said.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the 77-million member Anglican
Communion, was present at the meeting and voted for the resolution.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Israel was troubled by the resolution,
"which is extremely one-sided and out of touch with the realities on the ground."
"This sort of resolution will not help Israelis or Palestinians or anyone who is interested in
reconciliation and peace," he said.
Jewish groups were also outraged.
"Moves toward divestment represent a flawed and disastrous course," said Rabbi Barry Marcus,
the spokesman on Israeli issues for Britain's Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks. "They will do nothing
to advance the twin causes of security for Israel and statehood for the Palestinians."
Marcus said the report "took a one-sided and subjective view of the situation, and did not reflect
the present reality."