PERSPECTIVES ON DIVESTMENT FROM PROGRESSIVE JEWISH GROUPS SUPPORTING A TWO-STATE SOLUTION TO THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT,

BASED ON A COMMITMENT TO A TERRITORIALLY VIABLE PALESTINIAN STATE AND ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO EXIST AS A DEMOCRATIC JEWISH STATE

This page provides key statements against divestment from various progressive pro-Israel pro-peace Jewish groups. Other than APN's own statement, which reflects the organization's official position, the following statements have not been endorsed by Americans for Peace Now and are provided for information purposes only.

Reform Jewish Leaders Criticize Presbyterian Church (USA)'s Actions on Israel: Press Release and Letter to Rev. Kirkpatrick
The Union for Reform Judaism, the synagogue arm of the Reform Movement in North America, the largest segment of North American Jewry, representing 1.5 million Reform Jews in more than 900 congregations in the United States and Canada. (All other Jewish religious denominations in the US—Orthodox, Conservative and Reconstructionist—concur in their opposition to divestment of every kind.)

Rabbis for Human Rights
Bad Waters: An Open Letter From Rabbis For Human Rights to the Presbyterian Church USA

Rabbis for Human Rights Response to Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, The Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), January 13, 2005
We remain concerned that your resolution may send you down a slippery slope into collective punishment that will harm innocent Israelis without truly affecting the policies we jointly abhor.

Rabbis for Human Rights is the rabbinic voice of conscience in Israel, giving voice to the Jewish tradition of human rights. It promotes justice and freedom, while campaigning against discrimination and inhumane conduct.

Meretz USA Condemns Divestment
Letter protests action of General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (USA) to consider disinvestment from companies doing business with Israel

Meretz USA: for Israeli Civil Rights and Peace works to support full and genuine peace between the State of Israel and its neighbors in the Middle East, including the Palestinian people. The agency supports full civil and human rights for all who live in the State of Israel, as well as the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights, regardless of in whose political authority they dwell. The Meretz-Yahad Party in Israel is headed by Yossi Beilin, the lead negotiator on the Israeli side for the Geneva Initiative, the unofficial model peace treaty drafted by a group of leading Palestinians and Israelis.

Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, The Shefa Fund
Divestment from Israel: Is It An Effective Strategy?
The Shefa fund is a "significant funder of Israeli peace organizations."

Brit Tzedek V'Shalom/The Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace Statement on Divestment

Brit Tzedek v'Shalom believes that American Jews have an important role to play in influencing U.S. foreign policy with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our work is to mobilize our community in support of a negotiated two-state solution, because we believe that the support of American Jews is essential for movement towards a just peace. Divestment campaigns from corporations doing business with Israel alienate many Jews and divert focus and energy from the shared goals of the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement.

Brit Tzedek v'Shalom believes that there are many ways to support the Palestinian people that contribute positively to the goal of a negotiated solution to the conflict. We support investment in economic support and development projects that have the potential to bring people together rather than driving them apart. Donating to organizations that invest in Palestinian businesses, loan money to development banks involved in micro-lending, help rebuild the infrastructure of the West Bank, invest in promoting dialogue and understanding or provide humanitarian relief for victims of violence are a few examples of how individuals, corporations, organizations and the United States government can support the Palestinian people and activists for a just peace.

Ameinu opposes all efforts to bring about divestment from Israel, Feb. 25, 2005

Ameinu/Our People: Liberal Values, Progressive Israel works for peace, economic justice and pluralism in Israel and America through a variety of programs and activities and is affiliated with the Labor Party in Israel.

The Progressive Jewish Alliance
Why Progressive Christians Should Oppose Divestment
David N. Myers and Daniel Sokatch
The Progressive Jewish Alliance, based in Los Angeles, is a young, non-profit, non-denominational, inter-generational membership organization for those who are committed to social change. PJA views itself as a progressive voice in the Jewish community, and a Jewish voice in the progressive community.


	PERSPECTIVES ON DIVESTMENT FROM PROGRESSIVE JEWISH GROUPS SUPPORTING A TWO-STATE SOLUTION TO THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT, BASED ON A COMMITMENT TO A TERRITORIALLY VIABLE PALESTINIAN STATE AND ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO EXIST AS A DEMOCRATIC JEWISH STATE This page provides key statements against divestment from various progressive pro-Israel pro-peace Jewish groups. Other than APN's own statement, which reflects the organization's official position, the following statements have not been endorsed by Americans for Peace Now and are provided for information purposes only. Overview: Progressive Jewish Perspectives on Divestment from Israel: Updated April 17, 2005 by Chicago Peace Now President Gidon D. Remba Remarks to the Chicago Presbytery Assembly on Divestment and Palestinian-Israeli Peace Gidon D. Remba, April 12, 2005 Americans for Peace Now Statement on Divestment Americans for Peace Now strongly opposes one sided actions and statements, including divestment, that appear to solely blame Israel for the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. These types of initiatives are morally and historically inappropriate and destructive to reconciliation between the Jewish state of Israel and Palestinian statehood. The process of providing Israel with security and the Palestinians with self-determination should be the primary focus of all those who are concerned about the conflict. The Union for Reform Judaism Reform Jewish Leaders Criticize Presbyterian Church (USA)'s Actions on Israel: Press Release and Letter to Rev. Kirkpatrick The Union for Reform Judaism, the synagogue arm of the Reform Movement in North America, the largest segment of North American Jewry, representing 1.5 million Reform Jews in more than 900 congregations in the United States and Canada. (All other Jewish religious denominations in the US—Orthodox, Conservative and Reconstructionist—concur in their opposition to divestment of every kind.) Rabbis for Human Rights Bad Waters: An Open Letter From Rabbis For Human Rights to the Presbyterian Church USA Rabbis for Human Rights Response to Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, The Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), January 13, 2005 We remain concerned that your resolution may send you down a slippery slope into collective punishment that will harm innocent Israelis without truly affecting the policies we jointly abhor. Rabbis for Human Rights is the rabbinic voice of conscience in Israel, giving voice to the Jewish tradition of human rights. It promotes justice and freedom, while campaigning against discrimination and inhumane conduct. Meretz USA Condemns Divestment Letter protests action of General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (USA) to consider disinvestment from companies doing business with Israel Meretz USA: for Israeli Civil Rights and Peace works to support full and genuine peace between the State of Israel and its neighbors in the Middle East, including the Palestinian people. The agency supports full civil and human rights for all who live in the State of Israel, as well as the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights, regardless of in whose political authority they dwell. The Meretz-Yahad Party in Israel is headed by Yossi Beilin, the lead negotiator on the Israeli side for the Geneva Initiative, the unofficial model peace treaty drafted by a group of leading Palestinians and Israelis. Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, The Shefa Fund Divestment from Israel: Is It An Effective Strategy? The Shefa fund is a "significant funder of Israeli peace organizations." Brit Tzedek V'Shalom/The Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace Statement on Divestment Brit Tzedek v'Shalom believes that American Jews have an important role to play in influencing U.S. foreign policy with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our work is to mobilize our community in support of a negotiated two-state solution, because we believe that the support of American Jews is essential for movement towards a just peace. Divestment campaigns from corporations doing business with Israel alienate many Jews and divert focus and energy from the shared goals of the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement. Brit Tzedek v'Shalom believes that there are many ways to support the Palestinian people that contribute positively to the goal of a negotiated solution to the conflict. We support investment in economic support and development projects that have the potential to bring people together rather than driving them apart. Donating to organizations that invest in Palestinian businesses, loan money to development banks involved in micro-lending, help rebuild the infrastructure of the West Bank, invest in promoting dialogue and understanding or provide humanitarian relief for victims of violence are a few examples of how individuals, corporations, organizations and the United States government can support the Palestinian people and activists for a just peace. Ameinu opposes all efforts to bring about divestment from Israel, Feb. 25, 2005 Ameinu/Our People: Liberal Values, Progressive Israel works for peace, economic justice and pluralism in Israel and America through a variety of programs and activities and is affiliated with the Labor Party in Israel. The Progressive Jewish Alliance Why Progressive Christians Should Oppose Divestment David N. Myers and Daniel Sokatch The Progressive Jewish Alliance, based in Los Angeles, is a young, non-profit, non-denominational, inter-generational membership organization for those who are committed to social change. PJA views itself as a progressive voice in the Jewish community, and a Jewish voice in the progressive community. Statement Against Divestment from a Group of Progressive Jews in Somerville Mass Let's Work Together for Middle East Peace, Somerville Journal Additional Jewish Perspectives on Divestment Joint Statement to Protestant Churches on Potential Economic Sanctions against Israel from Five Major Jewish Organizations: The American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism United Jewish Communities Opposes Presbyterian Church USA Moves on Divestment: Resolution Unanimously Passes Presbyterians Against Israel Chicago Jewish News, January 28, 2005



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