July 24, 2012 — Since the gavel fell adjourning the 220th General Assembly of the PC(USA) in July 2012, much has been said from all sides regarding the issue of divestment from companies profiting from non-peaceful pursuits in Israel/Palestine, as well as “positive investment” in the region. Unfortunately, a great deal of the spin is far from what has actually occurred since 2004 when the 216th General Assembly (GA) first spoke about divestment, and since the early 1970s when our church first shined a spotlight on Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

July 9, 2012 — At the close of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the church’s Israel/Palestine Mission Network (IPMN) wishes to reflect on the results of the GA and to thank all of our friends, supporters, and the hundreds of church commissioners who took a stand for human rights and justice in the Holy Land last week by voting according to their consciences, and not according to their fears.

July 6, 2012 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Following last night’s vote by the plenary of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on a motion to divest from three companies whose products are used in non-peaceful pursuits in the occupied Palestinian territories, the plenary has voted in favor of a separate resolution to boycott products made in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, including Ahava Dead Sea beauty products and dates grown by Israeli cooperative Hadiklaim.

July 5, 2012 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — The Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is disappointed to announce that today the plenary session of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) failed to support a motion to divest church holdings from three companies (Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions) that profit from non-peaceful pursuits in the occupied Palestinian territories. While voting against divestment, the plenary did approve a resolution to boycott products made in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, including Ahava Dead Sea beauty products.

Find here all our advocacy resources for the 220th GA in Pittsburgh, PA.

Anyone who hears the phrase “positive investment” very reasonably thinks: “How can you be against that?” But, as in many human situations and conflicts, the devil is in the details.