For immediate release – It is with heavy hearts that we compose this statement. At the time of this writing, the Israeli military’s ground, naval, and aerial bombardment of Gaza has killed at least 2,104 Palestinians. The majority of these victims were civilians, according to the United Nations. Palestinian rockets and anti-tank fire have killed four Israeli civilians, one Thai migrant worker, and 64 Israeli soldiers.

There is an urgent need for medical aid to Gaza. Israeli airstrikes over the past weeks have killed at least 1400 Palestinians and injured more than 5,000. [At least 45 Israeli soldiers have also died.] The ongoing Israeli-and-Egyptian-imposed blockade had already left Gaza short on 30% of its essential medications and 50% of its disposable medical supplies before the current hostilities even began.

The onslaught of Israeli missiles, including airstrikes on El-Wafa Hospital, Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, has exacerbated these conditions. Gaza’s Ministry of Health, along with the World Health Organization, have estimated that $60 million is needed to meet the basic medical needs of Gazans.

On June 27, 2014, the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) decided to remove Zionism Unsettled: A Congregational study guide (ZU) from its online store on the denomination's website.

Our network was given less than 24 hours notice. An alternative distribution for the study guide will be announced soon. We already have offers of sales outlets from our partners. A digital edition is also in the works.

On June 23, 2014, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, in an opinion piece printed in Haaretz, maligned the work of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) in the recent efforts to move the Presbyterian Church (USA) towards a policy of selective divestment from American companies that profit from the occupation of the West Bank. JVP has indeed been an important ally, conversation partner, and sometimes teacher as we Presbyterians struggled for discernment about how we as a faith community should move forward. That their function in our debates was merely “cover” and that their passion for justice represents “collusion” is a gross misstatement both of our process and the role of JVP within it.

**Pictured here at the 221st Presbyterian General Assembly in Detroit, some of the JVP delegation who came from all over the country to work in solidarity with other local and Presbyterian groups.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — June 20, 2014 — The Israel/Palestine Mission Network (IPMN) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is pleased to announce that the plenary of the 221st General Assembly has voted 310 to 303 to divest from three US companies that profit from Israel's military occupation of Palestinian lands.

June 17, 2014 — The Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is pleased to announce that an overture endorsing selective divestment from three US companies that profit from Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands has been passed by a vote of 45-20 by the Middle East Issues Committee of the 221st General Assembly.