A Cyber Thought from Rabbi Z
"American Jewish Committee statement on United Church of Christ Call
For Divestment in Israel"
The American Jewish Committee welcomes today's decision of the United
Church of Christ to reject divestment resolutions against the State of
Israel. AJC's U.S. Director of Interreligious Affairs, David Elcott
addressed the UCC's General Synod, meeting in Atlanta, in the course
of its debate on the Middle East, urging the Church to be a force for
peace and not exacerbate the conflict by singling out Israel for
censure. AJC recognizes the United Church of Christ's repudiation of
terrorism and its support for two states, the Jewish State of Israel
and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. We
respect the Church's passionate commitment to peace and welcome it as
a partner in the quest for reconciliation and the end to violence
against all those living in the Holy Land. At this auspicious moment
when the Israeli government is about to disengage from Gaza in a bold
step toward peace, it is significant that the UCC refuses to endorse a
discriminatory policy of economic punishment against the State of
Israel.
At the same time, AJC notes that the resolution passed by the UCC ignores six decades of Arab
terrorism and boycott, as well as virulent anti-Semitic hatred emanating from many Muslim leaders. We
soundly reject any moral parity that would equate defensive measures taken by Israel to protect its citizens with
terrorist attacks aimed against civilians.
We hope that this resolution by the UCC General Synod will prompt our
Christian brothers and sisters to carry a message of reconciliation to
both Palestinian and Israeli leaders. We firmly believe that peace
will come for the Palestinians only when there is a Palestinian
leadership committed to a negotiated settlement and an end to all acts
of violence and terrorism.
For further information, please contact Dr. David Elcott:
office 212-891-6760
cell 914-391-7503
home 914-328-4549
Dr. David Elcott
U.S. Director, Interreligious Affairs
The American Jewish Committee
165 E. 56th St.
New York, NY 10022