PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TAKES COURAGEOUS MORAL STAND
By Ray Hanania
FOR RELEASE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2004, AND THEREAFTER
When it comes to numbers, American Presbyterians rank among the smallest of the Christian denominations with about 3 million members. But from the standpoint of economic power, they are considered the most influential religious group in America.
That's why their July vote ordering divestiture from companies doing business with Israel is so important. The group is also looking into Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar, whose D9 tractors are used by Israel to destroy Palestinian homes, resulting in the deaths of Palestinians and Americans, too.
Divestment is one of the strategies that U.S. churches used in the 1970s and '80s in a successful campaign to end apartheid in South Africa. Although many Christian groups support Israel over the Palestinians because of an underlying opposition to Islam, the Presbyterians recognized a significant point. Many of the Palestinian victims of Israeli oppression and violence are Christian.
The Presbyterians have maintained a reasoned voice of moderation, criticizing violence on both sides, including by Israel. Israel's policies are described by Amnesty International as "war crimes."
A small group of dissenters challenged the action. But the decision drew overwhelming support after hearing from the Rev. Mitri Raheb, a Lutheran pastor from Bethlehem who heads the International Center of Bethlehem.
Rev. Raheb implored the Christian churches to take action instead of simply issuing statements that are often ignored. Rev. Raheb is an eloquent advocate of peaceful compromise and an outspoken critic of the growing extremism among Israelis and their American supporters.
He is the author of a powerful new book, "Bethlehem Besieged," hailed as the Palestinian version of "The Diary of Anne Frank."
In the book, Rev. Raheb narrates stories of Palestinian suffering under Israel's brutal occupation, stories rarely reported in the mainstream American media or addressed by other Christian organizations in America.
It was Rev. Raheb's personal testimony that moved the Presbyterians to take real action, in the face of the expected onslaught of criticism from pro-Israel extremists that their courageous action is "anti-Semitic." Immediately afterward, spokesmen for the Anti-Defamation League and other pro-Israel lobbying groups denounced the decision, suggested it was anti-Semitic and decried comparisons to South Africa.
But among the many critics of Israeli violence and policies have been South African Christian leaders like the Rev. Desmond Tutu and former South African President Nelson Mandela.
For far too long, Christians, especially those in America, have turned a deaf ear to their Christian brethren in the Holy Land. Much of the new lands being confiscated by Israel belong to Christian families who have lived in Palestine for centuries, many of whom converted to Christianity from Judaism as a witness to Jesus.
And Bethlehem, the heart and soul of the Christian faith, is being destroyed by Israeli policies that go unchallenged. Divestment is a non-violent way to protest Israeli extremism and violence.
Until now, it has received support mostly from academic institutions. Several reports said the Presbyterian decision could impact as much as $7 billion in investments.
Under the decision, any company earning more than $1 million annually as a result of investments in Israel, or which invests more than $1 million a year in Israel, will be entered on a blacklist prepared for the church's leaders.
It's about time Christian voices found the courage to stand up to Israel and recognize that Israeli violence contributes to the ongoing conflict.
To find out more about Ray Hanania, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2004 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
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