JVP applauds Presbyterian Church, UCC

August 08, 2005
PRESS RELEASE

Contact JVP office (510) 465-1777

Jewish Voice for Peace applauds Presbyterian Church's announcement of companies targeted for perpetuating occupation.
Group also applauds stance taken by United Church of Christ.

Monday August 8, 2005 (Oakland, CA) - American peace group Jewish Voice for Peace expressed its support for the Presbyterian Church's announcement that it had selected five companies for "progressive engagement." Four were selected because of activities which support Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A fifth, Citicorp, was selected because some Citicorp funds have been diverted to support groups engaged in armed attacks on Israeli civilians.

JVP also stated its support for a recent decision by the United Church of Christ to adopt similar principles. On July 5, the UCC's general synod adopted a resolution recommending that its members take various measures, ranging from dialogue to charity to disinvestment from non-compliant companies, to promote an end to Israel's occupation and to stand against all violence against both Israelis and Palestinians.

"Peace groups both here and in Israel have long understood that economic pressure is crucial to getting Israel to make the necessary compromises for peace," said Mitchell Plitnick, Co-Director of JVP. "Both the Presbyterian Church and the UCC are unwavering in their concern for Israeli Jews while taking a strong stance against Israel's occupation. The best way for Christians to be allies to Jews is to help bring about an end to the occupation."

Co-Director Liat Weingart, who is an American and Israeli citizen, added, "We wouldn't be having this conversation if the administration and Congress had been doing their job and demanding that Israel abide by basic human rights standards. Instead, it has been left to people of conscience of all faiths to use economic power to pressure Israel to do the right thing."

JVP has been a major force in the ongoing campaign to pressure the Caterpillar Corporation to stop selling its militarily modified bulldozers to the Israeli army, who use them to destroy Palestinian homes and orchards. Caterpillar is one of the five companies the Presbyterians have targeted. Jewish Voice for Peace is a national grassroots organization dedicated to promoting a US foreign policy in the Middle East based on democracy, human rights and respect for international law. JVP is a voice for the silent majority of American Jews who polls consistently show support a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and an end to Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. For information about the conflict and expert sources go to www.JewishVoiceforPeace.org.

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