A Statement Following the Sabeel Toronto Conference
on Morally Responsible Investment
(October 26 – 29, 2005)
A Statement from KAIROS’ Executive Director
November 16, 2005
Morally Responsible Investment
KAIROS was one of over 50 co-sponsors of a conference in Toronto that explored “Morally Responsible Investment As A Non-Violent Response To The Illegal Israeli Occupation Of Palestinian Territories.” The conference followed calls from the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, in Jerusalem (as well as the World Council of Churches and others), for churches and other organizations to consider “morally responsible investment” in the Middle East.
Morally responsible investment, as referred to in the context of Israel/Palestine, could include a decision by churches and other organizations not to invest their money in corporations that profit from Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. Churches are considering withdrawal of investments (divestment) from corporations such as U.S. based Caterpillar, which supplies equipment used to bulldoze houses and olive groves of Palestinians. This is done in retaliation against communities where Palestinians believed to be involved in violence against Israel are thought to live.
The conference made it clear that divestment under consideration by churches does not mean divestment from Israel itself. Morally responsible investment also includes constructive investment in Palestine to assist economic development.
KAIROS presently has no position on “morally responsible investment”. The KAIROS board has asked its International Human Rights Program Committee to lead KAIROS in exploring this issue as a means of working for justice and peace in the Middle East. KAIROS co-sponsorship of the Morally Responsible Investment conference in Toronto was a step in the board-mandated exploration process.
Critiques of the Morally Responsible Investment Conference
The conference featured respectful dialogue and informed discussion of the issues. The conference itself did not issue any statement or formal consensus of participants with regard to policy issues.
B’nai Brith and some individuals criticized the conference, claiming that Sabeel, and by extension, supporters of Sabeel, intended to delegitimize and demonize the state of Israel. These critics wrote articles in which they implied that Sabeel and KAIROS were anti-Semitic and anti-Israel. One or more of these articles were forwarded to Conservative MP Stockwell Day, who subsequently wrote a letter to CIDA Minister Aileen Carroll and Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew, questioning whether CIDA should fund KAIROS. Mr. Day repeated these criticisms in the House of Commons.
KAIROS Executive Director spoke to Mr. Day immediately to express our concern and clarify that his information was not correct. KAIROS and CIDA have both stated clearly that CIDA funds were not used to support the conference.
In a policy statement approved by the KAIROS board in 2002, KAIROS’ position on Palestine and Israel, and the theological basis for these views are clearly laid out.
KAIROS supports an Israeli state, and recognizes its profound importance to the Jewish people who have lived through the holocaust and continuing anti-Semitism. We also support an independent Palestinian state.
KAIROS supports international law. Under the Fourth Geneva Convention the occupation is illegal. Moreover, it has led to great suffering and humiliation of the Palestinian people. KAIROS promotes a two-state solution that is based on international law, and a return to the border between Israel and Palestine as it existed on June 4, 1967. This requires Israel to withdraw from all occupied territories, and for all violence by Palestinians and Israelis to cease. The full policy can be viewed on our web site
Critiques of actions by the current Israeli government do not constitute anti-Semitism, nor do they “delegitmize” the state of Israel. Israel is a member of the United Nations with the same rights and responsibilities as all member states to uphold international law and human rights standards. While Palestinians do not yet have a recognized state, the Palestinian Authority is morally accountable to international law and human rights obligations in the lead up to democratic elections.
Sabeel
The Sabeel Liberation Theology Center has been a partner of KAIROS for more than five years, and receives financial support from KAIROS for its women and youth capacity- building programs. These programs are similar to programs we support in a number of countries.
KAIROS and Sabeel have entered into a partnership because we believe that we share common goals, objectives, and strategies for peace in the Middle East.
KAIROS has many partners in Canada and in the global South. KAIROS does not assume endorsement of every statement or action by any of our partners, nor do we assume our partners endorse all of our statements and actions.
If KAIROS judged that Sabeel had any agenda to disparage the Jewish/Israeli people or to deny them a state within the pre-June 4, 1967 borders, we would not be in a partnership with them.
Sabeel does not have such an agenda. On the contrary, Sabeel promotes peaceful co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians, between Jews, Muslims and Christians. They 2 have worked tirelessly for a non-violent solution to the conflict and have publicly condemned terrorism and violence by Israelis and Palestinians.
The Mission of KAIROS
The mission of KAIROS is to live our Christian faith by being a prophetic voice for justice. KAIROS condemns human rights abuses in Canada, in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Our positions relate to particular actions of governments, corporations and international financial institutions, and are not aligned with any political party or government in Canada or anywhere in the world.
We pray for peace and justice for Israeli people and Palestinian people, and for the future of Jerusalem as a holy city for Jews, Muslims and Christians.