Religious Organisations supporting Palestine

Christianos de Base. 1/09

The Christian "base" communities called on the government of Argentina to cut commercial relations with Israel. They also urged the MERCOSUR trading bloc to reject a free trade agreement between South American nations and Israel. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html
Ecumenical Movement for Human Rights, Argentina. 2009

The Argentinian Ecumenical Movement for Human Rights issued a statement condemning Israel's massive and indiscriminate aggression against the civilian population in Gaza and asking for bilateral negotiations to be monitored by the UN. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html, http://www.medh.org.ar/,

Australia

Australian Jewish Democratic Society. 6/10

The Australian Jewish Democratic Society has called for an end to Israeli settlements built on Palestinian land. The group issued a statement after the Israeli attack on the Gaza aid flotilla in which it said, 'Support for Israel does not mean support for the policies of its government and we have been vocal in opposing the Israeli blockade of Gaza.'It also said, 'Unless the Israeli government can convincingly back up its claims that the Gaza aid convoy was not a project for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, but in reality a front for violent action, it invites the condemnation of everyone who supports negotiated conflict resolution and reinforces the view that Israel's professed support for human rights is a sham.'http://www.ajds.org.au/taxonomy/term/4, http://ajds.org.au/node/256
Jews Against The Occupation, Sydney, Australia (JAO-Sydney). 2003

Jews Against the Occupation - Sydney was formed in May 2003 to give a clear Jewish voice in support of the national and human rights of Palestinians and a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. "We are part of a world-wide movement among progressive Jews who are challenging increasingly conservative official Jewish community representatives in regard to Israel." JAO joined with the Sydney-based Palestine Human Rights Campaign to host the launch of the book The Challenge of Post-Zionism edited by Ephraim Nimni, which was attended by a standing-room-only crowd. http://jao.org.au/

Belgium

Broederlijk Delen. 1/09

Broederlijk Delen is a Flemish faith-based non-profit organization that supports local groups in the global South to realize their own plans in the fight against poverty and injustice. Broederlijk Delen also engages in awareness raising and advocacy on the causes of poverty and injustice. In January 2009, Broederlijk Delen and Pax Christi Flanders joined the Christian Workers' Movement in Belgium and a coalition of European agencies in calling the EU to suspend talks on the upgrading of EU-Israel relations. Broederlijk Delen joined 100 Belgian organizations in staging a demonstration opposing Israel's attack on Gaza. It has published a Q&A and an op-ed with a focus on armed parties' obligations under International Humanitarian Law, disproportionate use of force and responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The group also published interviews, analysis and opinion editorials, available at: http://www.standaard.be/ http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html
Pax Christi Flanders. 1/09

Pax Christi Flanders joined the Christian Workers' Movement in Belgium and a coalition of European agencies in urging the EU to suspend talks on the upgrading of EU-Israel relations. Pax Christi also joined 100 Belgian organizations in staging a January demonstration to protest Israel's attack on Gaza. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.htm

Union of Belgian Jewish Progressives (UPJB). 7/06, 7/07

The Union of Belgian Jewish Progressives (UPJB) an active Jewish Association in Belgium, accused Israel of committing war crimes during the Lebanon invasion and demanded that both the EU and Belgium bring the Israeli attacks to an end. The organization head has said that criticism of Israel for its actions in Palestine and Lebanon is legitimate and does not imply anti-Semitism. http://forums.canadiancontent.net/international-politics/48727-belgium-jewish-leader-israel-comitting.html
In June, 2007, the group took part in a demonstration to mark the 40th anniversary of Israel's occupation of Palestine, and called for the occupation to end. http://www.presstv.com/textonly/detail.aspx?id=12779§ionid=3510206

Canada

Anglican Church of Canada. 11/05

The Council of General Synod unanimously passed a resolution asking the eco-justice committee, with the help of Kairos, a Canadian ecumenical justice group, to research the activities of companies believed to be contributing to violence in Israel and Palestine, as well as those contributing to peace and economic stability in that region. The committee, along with the Financial Management Development Investment Subcommittee, should 'explore a range of socially responsible investment strategies, including corporate engagement and positive investment or divestment.'http://www.anglicancommunion.org/the-holy-land/data/canada.pdf
Canadian Friends Service Committee. 11/09, 6/10

In a statement issued November 2009, the Canadian Friends (Quaker) Service Committee stated, in part, "We call on the State of Israel to end the blockade of Gaza, and to end the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. We call on the State of Israel and the Palestinians to end assaults against civilians." In June 2010, CFSC responded to Israel's flotilla attack in a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper emphasizing "the legal issues involved in the boarding of the ship, the disproportionate use of force, and the need for an end of the blockade of Gaza." http://www.cfsc.quaker.ca/pages/documents/CYMPolicyStatementonIsrael-Palestine.pdf, www.cfsc.quaker.ca/pages/whats_new.html, http://cfsc.quaker.ca/pages/documents/201006gazaletter.pdf
Kairos, Canada. 2005, 2009

Kairos is an organization of Canadian churches working for justice in the world. Its members include the Anglican Church of Canada, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, United Church of Canada, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Canadian Religious Conference, Mennonite Central Committee of Canada, and The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF). In 2008, Kairos issued a report entitled 'Economic Advocacy Measures: Options for KAIROS Members for the Promotion of Peace in Palestine and Israel.'While it specifically discouraged boycott and sanctions against Israel, it advocated a policy of 'morally responsible investment,'which includes avoiding investment in companies supporting violations of human rights in the Israeli occupation. In November 2009, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) withdrew its financial support from the group. Kairos and its supporters around the world are protesting this decision. http://www.kairoscanada.org/en/who-we-are/cida-funding-cuts/, http://kairoscanada.org/fileadmin/fe/files/PDF/HRTrade/Pal-Isr/Paper_EconomicAdvocacyMeasures_Jan08.pdf
United Church of Canada (Presbyterian, Methodist, United Church of Christ). 8/06, 2010

The UCC General Council adopted a Pro-Peace Investment Strategy 'to invite the membership, congregations, and organizations of The United Church of Canada to invest in companies that contribute to peace and a secure and economically viable Palestinian state alongside a secure and economically viable State of Israel'and to 'make financial investments, as they pertain to Israel, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, with . . . companies that are engaged only in peaceful pursuits in the region.'UCC is Canada's largest Protestant denomination. It ruled out investment in companies supporting the occupation and settlements, as well as in firms serving 'any government or organization that refuses to recognize the legitimate rights of the State of Israel, including its right to exist as a Jewish state.'The denomination denounced acts of violence perpetrated against persons on all sides of the conflict. It committed to raising one million dollars to support projects of groups working for peace in Palestine and Israel. www.united-church.ca/news/2006/0818.shtm A letter was sent from a General Council Minister of the United Church of Canada welcoming the Kairos document issued by Palestinian Christians, stating 'we have been clear in naming the end of the illegal occupation as the critical step towards peace in the region,'and stating that 'Criticism of Israeli policies in the occupation must not be silenced by claims of anti-Semitism.'http://www.kairospalestine.ps/sites/default/Documents/United%20Church%20of%20Canada.pdf

Alliance of Concerned Jewish Canadians (ACJC). 1/08

The Alliance of Concerned Jewish Canadians (ACJC) is a pan-Canadian umbrella of Jewish anti-Occupation groups. The ACJC issued a statement in 2008 saying 'We wish to join Palestinian Canadian groups, and other concerned Canadians, in expressing our outrage at the siege of the Gaza Strip. We the Alliance of Concerned Jewish Canadians (ACJC) join the Palestinian Canadian community and other Canadians of conscience in demanding that the Canadian government, politicians, and MPs condemn the latest Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza, demand an immediate halt to all Israeli brutal use of military force against the Palestinians which is taking a serious humanitarian toll on civilians, lift the blockade on the Palestinian people and allow all living essentials, food, medicine and energy to enter the territories without any delay, allow an independent international tribunal to enter the Palestinian territories to investigate the Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip, Call upon the international community and Canada in particular to act immediately to stop these crimes; and call upon the international community and Canada in particular to renew the call to the High Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their responsibility under Article 1 of the Convention'.'http://www.canpalnet-ottawa.org/ACJC_Gaza.html
Jewish Alliance Against the Occupation

In November, 2000, this group published a letter in the Montreal Gazette signed by 35 Jews from Canada, New York, New England, California and Israel. It called for Palestinian equal rights, an end to the war on the Palestinians, a proper respect for the UN resolutions recognizing the rights of Palestinians, an end to Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, a guarantee for Palestinian self-determination, and the dismantlement of the Israel-style apartheid system. http://gib.squat.net/texte/jewspeakout.html
Independent Jewish Voices (Canada). 6/09

Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) voted to join the growing international campaign in support of the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, at its first Annual General Meeting. This decision makes IJV the first national Jewish organization in the world to do so. The adopted resolution states that IJV will "Support the Palestinian call for a campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions until Israel meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and complies with the precepts of international law, including the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194." According to IJV, 'Independent Jewish Voices is a member-led organization, with chapters in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax.'http://ijvcanada.org/ijv-vji-positions/
Jews for a Just Peace, Vancouver, Canada. 8/06

A statement issued by Jews for a Just Peace in Vancouver read, 'There is no such thing as a benign occupation.'Appeals to the Israeli government to end their harsh treatment of Palestinians have simply not worked. 'That's why stronger measures are called for, measures such as selective divestment . . . Israel's occupation is being institutionalized and made permanent. As Jeff Halper says: 'Neither security nor terrorism are really the issue; Israel's policies of annexation are based on a pro-active claim to the entire country . . . Terrorism on all sides is wrong . . . but to demand that resistance cease while an occupation is being made permanent is unconscionable.''The statement continues, 'In Gaza, the siege continues. Israel has kidnapped elected Palestinian officials, shelled and bombed, conducted military operations resulting in civilian deaths, and destroyed civilian infrastructure -- power grids, bridges, government buildings and more. Still understood as Occupation under international law, Israel controls Gazan airspace, borders and ports. We support the views of the prominent Israeli writer, the late Yeshayahu Leibovitz, who wrote: 'We must free ourselves from the curse of dominating another people.''http://www.jewsforajustpeace.com/pages/stand.html

Finland

FinnChurchAid. 1/09

FinnChurchAid visited the Israeli embassy in January 2009 over humanitarian concerns including a missile strike on a clinic in Gaza run by the Near East Council of Churches with support from FinnChurchAid, other church groups and the EU. The group also conducted TV interviews featuring an ecumenical accompanier from Finland who serves in Jerusalem. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html

France

Union Juive Francaise pour la paix, France. 2006

This group signed a 2006 letter of support for the Church of England's General Synod's call to disinvest church funds from companies profiting from Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. http://neconference.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/Divestment_Statements_from_Jewish_Groups_YVJ27FBI.pdf

Union of Islamic Organizations in France. 1/09

Union of Islamic Organizations in France. 1/09 On January 24, 2009, the Union of Islamic Organizations in France (UOIF) issued a strong statement against the assault on Gaza by the 'Israeli occupants.'The statement said, 'This new offence is a crime against humanity and is part of the war against the resistance of a besieged and victimized people." http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1234631324959&pagename=Zone-English-Euro_Muslims%2FEMELayout

Germany

Evangelisches Missionswerk in S¸dwestdeutschland. 1/09

In January, 2009, Evangelisches Missionswerk in S¸dwestdeutschland, an association of churches and missions in Southwestern Germany, asked the German government to undertake everything possible to end the fighting in Gaza and to permanently end the siege of the Gaza Strip. It also called for an investigation of the recent events in Gaza in the light of international law. The association distributed information to media about the emergency work of its partner, the Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem and especially the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html
Kairos Europa e.V. 2010

Kairos Europa, an ecumenical grass roots network on Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation in Europe, has endorsed the Kairos document issued by Palestinian Christians which calls for an end to the Israeli occupation and supports the use of boycott, divestment and sanctions as a nonviolent means of achieving that goal. http://www.kairospalestine.ps/sites/default/Documents/Kairos%20Europa%20letter.pdf
NEFF. 1/09

An ecumenical organization in Nurnberg, Germany, NEFF took part in a demonstration against the Israeli war on Gaza and planned another. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html

Jewish Voice for Peace. Germany. 8/07, 6/10

Protestors from Jewish Voice for Peace demonstrated against settlement food products during "Israel Week" at a Berlin department store, Galeria Kaufhof. The protestors, joined by Middle East Workshop Berlin and Solidarity with Palestine, targeted Amnon and Tamar (spices). In June, 2010, the group announced that it was preparing a ship to sail to the Gaza Strip with musical instruments, Jewish musicians and humanitarian aid, in an attempt to break Israel's naval blockade of the territory. Since the announcement, there have been many offers of support and requests to participate in the flotilla by people around the world. A spokesperson for the group stated that Israel acted criminally in its lethal raid on an earlier Gaza aid flotilla on May 31. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/894796.html, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3899915,00.html

Guyana

Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana. 6/10

The Central Islamic Organization of Guyana called on the government of Guyana to condemn the Israeli raid on the Gaza aid flotilla. The government issued a condemnation. The group also urged the government to sever its diplomatic ties with Israel. http://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/stories/06/03/ciog-calls-on-gov%e2%80%99t-to-condemn-israel%e2%80%99s-raid-on-gaza-aid-ships/

India

Joint Committee of Muslim Organizations, India. 1/08

This group of Muslim organizations in India held a sit-in on January 28, 2008, in New Delhi to protest the inhuman and illegal siege of the Gaza Strip by Israeli occupation forces. Taking part were the 'All-India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat Jamiat Ulama-e Hind Jamaat-e Islami Hind Kul Hind Jamaat-e Ahl-e Hadees MOEMIN Students Islamic Organisation of India, Muslim Political Council, Majlis-e Fikro Amal Kul Hind Anjuman Himayat-e Islam, Majlis Ulama-e Islam, Milli Wa Ta'leemi Foundation, Shia Conference, Momin Conference, Popular Front of India Safinatul Hidaya Trust, Shah Waliullah Institute, The Milli Gazette Afkar-e Milli.'http://www.milligazette.com/dailyupdate/2008/200801281_Protest_against_Israeli_occupation.htm

Iran

Anglican Episcopal Church, Iran

The Bishop of Iran's Anglican Episcopal Church publicly condemned the silence of the international community in the face of the sufferings faced by Palestinians, in a statement to church leaders in Pakistan. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html

Ireland

Italy

Vatican City. Caritas. 2002, 2010

In 2002, Caritas, an international Christian aid organization, called on its 154 affiliates world-wide to work for an end to the violence in the Holy Land and to address 'the root-causes of the crisis: the occupation of Palestine, the refugee problem and the blockade of the Territories.'It urged affiliates to contact their governments, asking them to express their 'support for the end of the current military operations and the decades-old illegal occupation of Palestine.'Caritas coordinates aid programs in Gaza and has aid workers there. Caritas joined the Vatican in expressing opposition to the violent Israeli attack on the Gaza aid flotilla in 2010.http://www.caritas.org.nz/?module=Live&action=Search&q=Israeli&range=&do=search&page=2

Japan

Japan YWCA and Jerusalem Partnership Committee, Diocese of Tokyo, NSKK. 1/09

The Japan YWCA and Jerusalem Partnership Committee in the Diocese of Tokyo joined 11 other civil society groups to send a letter to the Israeli ambassador to Japan calling for a stop to all military attacks in and around Gaza. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html

Jordan

Amman Call: Churches Together for Peace and Justice in the Middle East. 6/07

130 representatives from churches around the world met in Amman, Jordan, seeking to mobilize more vigorous church involvement in response to the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories: "No more words without deeds. It is time for action." The ecumenical representatives launched the Palestine/Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) to catalyze and coordinate new and existing inter-religious action--including economic initiatives--for peace and justice for all the people of the region. www.electronicinifada.net/v2/article9803.shtml;/www.paxchristi.de/fix/files/doc/AMMAN-Kirchenkonferenz-Juni-07-0641.pdf

Kenya

Anglican Church of Kenya. 7/05

The Anglican Church of Kenya joined the Anglican Consultative Committee in urging movement toward divestment from companies whose activities contribute to the occupation of Palestinian land or to violence against innocent Israelis. 'You only have to go there and [you will] sympathize with the Palestinians, especially when it comes to the separation wall. . . and the mistreatment of the women and men at the roadblocks,'said Bishop Gideon Ireri, speaking after the Kenyan synod backed the 5/05 call of the Anglican Consultative Council. http://www.bethlehemmedia.net/featers/feat174.htm, www.episcopalchurch.org,

Lebanon

Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). 1/09

The Middle East Council of Churches condemned Israel's rocketing of its clinic in Gaza, which served tens of thousands of families each year. MECC appealed to the Arab League and the United Nations to save the lives of innocent people and asked all ecumenical partners to intervene with their governments. The group also issued a statement condemning attacks on civilians, urging decisive international action for peace and calling for unity among the Palestinian people. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html

Malaysia

Malaysia Council of Churches . 2009-2010

The Council of Churches of Malaysia has endorsed the Kairos Palestine document issued by Palestinian Christians which calls for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and the use of boycott, divestment and sanctions, among other nonviolent means, to achieve that goal. The Council in January 2009 called for a ceasefire during Israel's attack on Gaza, and it decried the attack on the Gaza aid flotilla in May, 2010. http://www.kairospalestine.ps/sites/default/Documents/Letter%20of%20Solidarity%20-%20Palestinian%20Kairos%20Document.pdf, http://www.ccmalaysia.org/

Netherlands

ICCO. 2009

ICCO, an interchurch agency working for fair and sustainable economic development, published an ad with the names of prominent people condemning Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, calling on the Dutch government to do the same, and asking the EU to suspend negotiations on to upgrade Israel's status. ICCO also released statements, press releases, interviews, and opinion articles. Like other church agencies, ICCO supported the Near East Council of Churches clinic in Gaza that was destroyed by a missile strike. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/gaza-2009.html

European Jews for a Just Peace (EJJP). 2005

EJJP is a coalition of Jewish groups from nine European countries and the United Kingdom. A statement called 'No Other Way,'adopted at the group's 2005 annual plenary, calls for economic pressure targeted at the Occupation. The rationale for these measures highlights: 1) Their nonviolent nature and 2) The fact that the need to resort to these steps is a result of the failure of other means. Opposing the Israeli occupation cannot be construed as anti-Semitic. Under 'Divestment Actions,'EJJP calls for pressure by boycott and information campaigns on companies, institutions, organizations, and individuals that profit from involvement in or contribution to the Occupation, such as Caterpillar, Intel, and Soda Club. It includes Israeli companies that produce military equipment used to violate Palestinian human rights, and also universities, research institutions, and individuals that contribute to the perpetuation of the Occupation.
The purchase of Israeli arms and weapons should be banned, and governments are asked to stop selling Israel arms used to continue the Occupation. Settlement products should be boycotted, based on the Gush Shalom list, as well as products with labels that do not differentiate between settlement products and those made in Israel. http://www.ejjp.org/aboutejjp/our-members.html

New Zealand

New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference. 4/02

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference issued a statement in April 2002 calling on Israel to withdraw immediately from all areas of the West Bank and Gaza; begin to dismantle the settlements established in Palestinian territories in violation of the Oslo Agreement; allow journalists, humanitarian aid agencies and human rights workers free access to the occupied territories; and agree to an international peace-keeping force as called for by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Vatican. The statement also called on Palestinians to refrain from attacking Israeli civilians. http://www.caritas.org.nz/?module=Live&action=Search&q=Israeli&range=&do=search&page=2

Palestine

Palestinian Christians: Kairos Document. 12/09

On December 11, 2009, prominent Christian Palestinian leaders gathered at a conference sponsored by the World Council of Churches in Bethlehem and released a historical Kairos Palestine Document, calling on churches around the world "to say a word of truth and to take a position of truth with regard to Israel's occupation of Palestinian land." This group unambiguously endorsed boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) as one of the key nonviolent forms of solidarity that international faith-based organizations are urged to adopt. The document recalls a similar Kairos Document issued by South Africans during that country's apartheid era, and reflects a sense of urgency about the Palestinian crisis caused by continued Israeli occupation and oppression. http://www.oikoumene.org/gr/resources/documents/other-ecumenical-bodies/kairos-palestine-document.html, http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10943.shtml

Phillipines

The Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID). 6/10

The Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) issued a statement condemning Israel's raid on a Turkish-led aid flotilla bound for Gaza, and saying that such an incident threatens efforts to attain peace in the Middle East. PCID also criticized the United States and other members of the international community for being "complicit" in the Israel government's policy of isolating Gaza to weaken the Palestinian political group Hamas. PCID said this policy is "morally appalling and politically self-defeating." The group added that this policy "harmed the people of Gaza without loosening Hamas's control." http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7009442.html

South Africa

South Africa Council of Churches (SACC). 5/05, 3/10

The Council, representing millions of South Africans, endorsed the call for boycott issued by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. The endorsement was joined by over a hundred prominent South African academics. www.aidc.org.za/?q=book/view/586 The Central Committee of the South Africa Council of Churches endorsed the Kairos Document issued by Palestinian Christians, embracing its call for boycott, divestment and sanctions as nonviolent tools to end the Israeli occupation. http://www.kairospalestine.ps/sites/default/Documents/CCM%20Res%20on%20Palestinian%20Kairos.pdf

Muslim Judicial Council, Muslim Youth Movement, South Africa. 6/10

The two organizations joined the Coalition for a Free Palestine to condemn the Israeli raid on the Gaza aid flotilla calling on the South African government to expel the Israeli ambassador, recall its own ambassador from Tel Aviv, sever diplomatic ties with Israel, and support the international campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against the apartheid Israel state. http://links.org.au/node/1718

Sweden

Diakonia - Sweden. 2008

Diakonia is a Christian development organization based in Sweden. In 2008, the group Diakonia, in cooperation with SwedWatch and Church of Sweden, published a comprehensive report regarding Assa Abloy, a Swedish producer of locks and security solutions. Assa Abloy owned a factory in the illegal Barkan settlement in the West Bank. Within days of the release of this report, Assa Abloy announced the withdrawal of its operations in the West Bank. Diakonia has also issued a "Guide to International Humanitarian Law in the Occupied Territories,'and other materials dealing with Israel's occupation of Palestinian land. http://www.diakonia.se/sa/node.asp?node=469

Switzerland

ACT Alliance. 6/10

ACT (Action by Churches Together) is a Geneva-based international alliance of 100 humanitarian and development organizations. It coordinates Christian aid programs in 130 countries, including the Gaza Strip. On June 1, ACT condemned the Israeli military attack on the Gaza aid flotilla and called for an independent international investigation.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100601/church-relief-alliance-condemns-israel-flotilla-attack/index.html, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/222031/127531300418.htm
Jerusalem Inter-Church Center. 6/10

A statement distributed by the Jerusalem Inter-Church Center said that Palestinian Christian church and community leaders, "condemn in the strongest language possible the irresponsible actions perpetrated by the Israeli forces against civilian participants of the Freedom Flotilla". It urged action to ensure that Israel ended its "siege of Gaza and ' its military occupation of the Palestinian Territories". http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4122

Just Peace Between Israel and Palestine (Switzerland). 2006

This group signed a 2006 letter of support for the Church of England's General Synod call to disinvest church funds from companies profiting from Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. http://neconference.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/Divestment_Statements_from_Jewish_Groups_YVJ27FBI.pdf

United Kingdom

Anglican Church of England. 2/08

The Church of England finally divested its $3.3 million holdings in Caterpillar, Corp. in line with the decision of its Synod in 2006 to support 'morally responsible investment in the Palestinian occupied territories and, in particular to disinvest from companies profiting from the illegal occupation, such as Caterpillar Inc, until they change their policies.'The Synod's Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG), charged with implementing this policy, had long delayed taking action. It had been asked to divest if Caterpillar refused to stop supplying or maintaining equipment or parts for use by Israel in demolishing Palestinian homes. However, the Church announced in early 2009 that EIAG had in fact quietly divested from Caterpillar in "for purely investment reasons." The timing of the divestment announcement blocked the imminent publication in The Guardian of a letter from 23 theologians accusing the Church of not acting on its own ethical investment policies. www.anglicancommunion.org/ , www.fosna.org/content/church-england-divests-caterpillar
Anglican Church of England: Virginia Water Parish, Guildford Diocese. 10/06

The parish decided to implement the decision of the General Synod on its own. It withdrew its funds from its Church of England investment account in order to disinvest from companies such as Caterpillar that are profiting from Israel's occupation of Palestine. The Central Board of Finance (CBF), which manages investment funds, had so far declined to implement the General Synod's decision. "We are simply doing what the local Church in Palestine and the General Synod has asked us to do," said Vicar Stephen Sizer. "If the CBF will not withdraw our money from Caterpillar, then we will do it for them. We are looking for an investment fund with a more ethically sound policy." http://www.sizers.org/articles/imri.pdf, http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/publish/economic-engagement.shtml, www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_061022caterpillar.shtml
Anglican Consultative Council. 5/05, 6/09

This body has called for 'active engagement'by Anglican communions worldwide to wrestle with companies that support the occupation of Palestinian lands or violence against innocent Israelis. It encourages investment that supports the infrastructure of a future Palestinian State. http://www.fosna.org/content/anglican-vote-anglican-consultative-council

On May 9, 2009, the Council passed a resolution that calls on Israel to end its occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, freeze immediately all settlement building with the intention to abandon its settlement policy in preparation for a Palestinian state, remove the separation barrier (wall) where it violates Palestinian land beyond the Green Line, end home demolitions, and close checkpoints in the Palestinian territories. http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/5/12/ACNS4630
Methodist Church Conference, UK. 6/10

On June 30, the Methodist Church of Great Britain at its policy-making conference voted to boycott all products from Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories and to encourage Methodists across Britain to do the same. "The goal of the boycott is to put an end to the existing injustice," said spokeswoman Christine Elliott. "It reflects the challenge that settlements present to a lasting peace in the region." The Conference also called for a full arms embargo against all sides in the conflict. The followers of the Methodist Church whose number has been estimated at 70 million worldwide, including 330,000 in Britain, are urged by the report to "support and engage with this boycott of Israeli-made goods that originate from illegal settlements". http://methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=453
Pax Christi: Catholic International Peace Movement. 7/06

Pax Christi announced support for a UK campaign aimed at multi-national companies that profit from the Occupation, including Volvo, Caterpillar, Daewoo and Sainsbury's. Australian Pax Christi convenor Fr. Claude Mostowik called for the campaign to expand as a worldwide boycott. www.cathnews.com/news/607/60.php
Presbyterian Church of Scotland. 2006

The Church of Scotland General Assembly (GA) asked the Church & Society Council to investigate implications of occupation for the church's portfolio of investments. The matter had been referred to the GA in 5/06. The Church found it had no relevant investments, but the General Assembly called on the European Union to clearly inform consumers by identifying products from Israeli settlements. After a visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the moderator of the General Assembly called on the church to pursue divestment/boycotts against companies that profit from the occupation. http://www.kairoscanada.org/fileadmin/fe/files/PDF/HRTrade/Pal-Isr/Paper_EconomicAdvocacyMeasures_Jan08.pdf
World Council of Churches Central Committee. 2005, 2006, 2009

WCC advocates selective divestment from US companies like Caterpillar that profit from the Occupation, and from Israeli companies that depend on settlements for materials and labor, or that produce military equipment used to violate Palestinian human rights. Churches with investment funds have an opportunity to use those funds responsibly in support of peaceful solutions to conflict. 'Economic pressure, appropriately and openly applied, is one such means of action. ' (Adopted 2/05; reaffirmed 8/06). In September 2009, the WCC issued a public statement urging Israel to freeze all settlements and begin dismantling them. The Committee said the settlements are 'illegal, unjust, incompatible with peace and antithetical to the legitimate interests of the state of Israel.'It renewed its call for an international boycott of all settlement products. http://wcccoe.org/wcc/what/international/regconcerns-palestine-israel.html
York and Hull District Methodist Synod, England. 4/05

The York and Hull District Methodist Synod recommended to the 2005 UK Methodist Conference that it follow the lead of the World Council of Churches and Presbyterian Church, undertaking a review of all investments under its control, with a view to divesting from any corporations or activities that support the illegal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A proponent stated, 'International law is the basis of the Conference resolution. This fact should be well publicized.'The report was referred to a committee, which amended the language and submitted it again to the Conference in 2006, where it was accepted in its altered form. http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.content&cmid=1292

Independent Jewish Voices (Britain). 2007

Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) is 'a network of Jews in Britain who share a commitment to certain principles, especially with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in mind: putting human rights first, rejecting all forms of racism, and giving equal priority to Palestinians and Israelis in their quest for a peaceful and secure future.'IJV makes it clear that all Jews do not speak with one voice. In 2007, the group published a statement affirming an approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on universal human rights and international law. The statement said, in part, 'The Palestinian inhabitants of the West Bank and Gaza Strip face appalling living conditions with desperately little hope for the future. We declare our support for a properly negotiated peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people and oppose any attempt by the Israeli government to impose its own solutions on the Palestinians. It was signed by 637 British Jews. http://jewishvoices.squarespace.com/
Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods (BIG) - UK Sports Boycott. 2007

Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods has joined others in seeking an international sporting boycott against Israeli teams until Israel ends the Occupation. The campaigners circulate petitions, lobby, and demonstrate at British stadiums, asking "Fair Play for Palestinians." They urge football associations worldwide to "Kick Israeli Apartheid out of football!" A key coalition group is PSC (Palestine Solidarity Campaign) (www.palestinecampaign.org) In other actions, BIG has distributed leaflets and stickers bearing the slogan 'IT'S KOSHER TO BOYCOTT ISRAELI GOODS.'http://www.bigcampaign.org/index.php?page=jbig, http://www.bigcampaign.org/index.php?page=jbig
Jews for Justice for Palestinians (UK). 2006

This group signed a 2006 letter of support for the Church of England's General Synod call to disinvest church funds from companies profiting from Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. http://neconference.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/Divestment_Statements_from_Jewish_Groups_YVJ27FBI.pdf
Jews Say No. 11/09

This group published an open letter in November 2009, calling for support for the Goldstone Report and an investigation into Israel's actions as well as those of Hamas during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. It was signed by hundreds of Jewish individuals and organizations. http://www.monthlyreview.org/mrzine/

United States of America

Catholic Bishops delegation. 1/10

A high-level delegation of Catholic bishops visiting the Holy Land criticized Israeli polices in Arab sectors of Jerusalem and called for more contacts between ordinary Israelis and Palestinians. The group of eight bishops from North America and Europe said violence, insecurity, the route of Israel's West Bank separation barrier, home demolitions and other policies threaten peace prospects and endanger the dwindling Christian presence in the Holy Land. They called for establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Bishop Gerald Kicanas, vice president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the human rights situation for Palestinians in the Holy Land has gotten worse during the 20 years that he has been visiting the region. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/14/catholic-bishops-criticiz_n_423124.html
Christian Peacemaker Teams - Palestine. 2/10

Christian Peacemaker Teams - Palestine. 2/10 CPT-Palestine issued a statement which read, in part, 'CPT-Palestine has decided to endorse formally the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, as called for by Palestinian NGOs, because sixty years of negotiations and diplomacy have only enabled Israel to solidify its military occupation of Palestine. The international community has long called for Palestinian society to resist the violence of the Occupation nonviolently, so we, as members of an international peace organization, believe that when Palestinians mount nonviolent campaigns against the Occupation, we are morally obligated to support them.'http://www.cpt.org/cptnet/2010/04/19/palestine-cpt-palestine-endorses-boycott-divestment-and-sanctions-movement
Church World Service. 1/09

In January 2009, during Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip, Church World Service took three CWS-supported delivery trucks filled with food and medical supplies to the Gaza border for transport to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City. The delivery included nearly $68,000 in medical supplies, 12,000 cartons of high protein biscuits for children, 20,300 liters of fortified milk, and blankets and quilts. CWS had also supported Shij'ia Clinic in, Gaza, which was destroyed by Israeli forces iin their January assault. http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090114/gaza-pounding-raises-concern-on-medical-care/index.html
Ecumenical Action Group: Investment for a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine. 2006 (ongoing)

This is a US-based group of investment managers from more than a dozen major Christian denominations working for the investment of their churches' funds consistent with a just Israeli-Palestinian peace. They serve as an ecumenical resource, providing information and advice to interested church members who share this aim. They submit shareholder resolutions and correspond or meet with companies to promote awareness about possible relationships to the Israeli occupation. For further information, contact EAG
Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. 12/08

The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire passed a resolution to support the call urging divestment from companies that profit from Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories. The resolution intends to increase awareness of and divest from the companies that actively participate in the oppression of Palestinians, and it launches a strategy for morally responsible investing to initiate a process of divestment from corporations that allow and profit from the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. http://www.nhepiscopal.org/convention/diocon_over.html
Episcopalian Executive Council (US). 10/05

EEC directed its Committee for Social Responsibility in Investments to undertake the following actions: 1. Corporate engagement via dialogue and shareholder resolutions, as appropriate, to encourage companies to adopt socially responsible practices that advance positive changes in Israeli government policy and end the Occupation. 2. Urge the Palestinian Authority to oppose violence as a means of resistance. 3. 'Positive investment'- encourage companies to invest in the economic infrastructure of the West Bank and Gaza: 'A stable Palestinian state will make for a more secure Israel.'Seek opportunities, with others, to make loans to 'support economic justice and development in support of a future Palestinian State.'Palestine, like Israel, has a right to an economy that flourishes. 4. Urge members of the Church to visit church partners and others in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in order to understand the complexities of the conflict. http://www.anglicancommunion.org/the-holy-land/data/usa.pdf
Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF). 5/10

The National Executive Council of the EPF endorsed a statement supporting boycott, divestment, and sanctions as a means of nonviolent resistance, and called on its Israel/Palestine Action Group to offer resources to their membership and the wider church on effective BDS strategies.. http://epfnational.org/action-groups/epfs-executive-council-statement-on-divestment-boycott-and-economic- sanctions-as-a-means-of-nonviolent-resistance/, http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=12571
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). 8/07, 10/09

Evangelical Lutherans, with nearly 5 million US members, backed "exploration of the feasibility of refusing to buy products produced in Israeli settlements," and of supporting the purchase of Palestinian products, in measures adopted by The Churchwide Assembly, the denomination's key legislative body. The Assembly called for examination of the denomination's "entire investment activity," excluding divestiture. These economic initiatives are part of a decision to "recommit to the Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine through awareness-building, accompaniment [visits with Holy Land hosts], and advocacy." The initiative builds on the Peace Not Walls campaign the Assembly adopted in 2005, and will be undertaken in consultation with Evangelical Lutheran churches in Jordan and the Holy Land. In a letter to the Obama Administration on Oct. 13, 2009, 58 of 65 synod bishops and the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed concern over the stalemate and the "fading hopes" for a two-state solution. They called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and to Palestinian violence against Israelis. www.elca.org/news/Releases.asp?a=3718
Friends of Sabeel-North America. 4/10

Friends of Sabeel-North America (main office in Portland, Oregon) and Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights teamed up to run a display ad showing Palestinian loss of land in the Oregonian newspaper. www.fosna.org
Palestine-Israel Action Group (PIAG), Ann Arbor, Michigan.

A group of Ann Arbor, Michigan Quakers has distributed 440,000 informational 'map cards'throughout the United States. The colorful little cards illustrate the loss of Palestinian land from 1946 - 2009. They also show the fragmentation of the West Bank, with myriad Jewish settlements scattered throughout the area on occupied land, in violation of international law. These may be ordered from PIAG.
Presbyterian Church, USA, General Assembly. 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010

Presbyterian Church, USA, General Assembly. 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 The 2004 Presbyterian General Assembly approved a measure calling for 'phased, selective divestment from corporations that profit from the illegal occupation of Palestine.'http://www.fosna.org/content/217th-general- assembly-presbyterian-church-usa-issue-divestment The 2006 Presbyterian General Assembly adopted measures in 2006 asking the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) to 'identify affirmative investment opportunities as they pertain to Israel, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank" and to assure that the church invests there "only in peaceful pursuits." They call for the 'creation of a socially, economically, geographically, and politically viable and secure Palestinian state, alongside an equally viable and secure Israeli state," adding "both of which have a right to exist.'The 2006 GA also supported 'fair criticism'of the separation wall in the West Bank, saying: 'To the extent that the security barrier violates Palestinian land . . . the barrier should be dismantled and relocated." http://www.fosna.org/content/217th- general-assembly-presbyterian-church-usa-issue-divestment At the 2008 General Assembly, the Presbyterians voted to endorse the World Council of Churches affirmation of a "two-state" solution, a shared Jerusalem, and human rights of refugees and occupied peoples. The Assembly called on the church to be a voice for victims of violence in Israel and in Palestine and it condemned all acts of violence against innocent civilians. http://www.pcusa.org/worldwide/israelpalestine/resources/divestmentfaqpart2.pdf
At its General Assembly (GA) in July 2010, the Presbyterian Church USA called on the United States to end its financial support for Israel unless the country stops expanding settlements in the occupied territories. The GA reaffirmed Israel's right to exist and commended the Kairos document from Palestinian Christians for study by Presbyterians. (http://www.oikoumene.org/gr/resources/documents/other-ecumenical-bodies/kairos-palestine- document.html (See description on previous page.) The GA called on Israel and Egypt to open the borders of Gaza to free commercial exchange, to guarantee adequate levels of food, medicine and building supplies for Gazans, and to allow all goods other than "military equipment and devices" to be delivered. http://ga219.pcusa.org/news/2010/7/9/ga-approves-breaking-down-walls-report-middle-east/
Presbyterian Church, USA, Middle East Study Committee (MESC). 3/10

The Middle East Study Committee (MESC) of the Presbyterian Church USA issued a 172-page report calling for actions to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. It was presented for a vote to the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) meeting July 3-10 in Minneapolis. The report calls on the United States to halt its billions in aid to Israel until that country stops its expansion of settlements in Palestinian territories. It recommends a letter of protest to Caterpillar Inc. for supplying heavy machinery used by Israel's occupying forces. The report also calls for an overall end to the Israeli occupation, a relocation of Israel's separation barrier to spots outside of Palestinian territories, an end to violence on all sides and measures to support the dwindling Palestinian Christian population. http://www.pcusa.org/middleeastpeace/, http://www.fosna.org/content/full-report-pcusa-middle-east-study-committee
Presbyterian Church, USA, Detroit Presbytery. 2/08

This group called for Temporary Suspension of Military Aid to Israel: The Presbytery voted to ask the 2008 General Assembly to 1) reaffirm the right of Israel to exist; 2) deplore suicide bombings and terror attacks; and 3) call for temporary suspension of US military aid to Israel until it complies with the Arms Export Control Act and the Foreign Assistance Act. These laws prohibit the use of US weapons against civilians or civilian infrastructure and bar aid to countries that engage in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. (Middle East Work Group (MEWG) of the Presbytery of Detroit http://mewg.org/overture218/
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers): American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). 3/08

AFSC is affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The AFSC Board adopted an "investment screen" barring investments in companies that provide products or services (including financial services) used by Israeli governmental or military bodies or Israeli or Palestinian organizations or groups "to facilitate or undertake violent acts against civilians or violations of international law." The screen would bar investment in companies that help maintain Israel's military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, or that help maintain and expand Israeli settlements or the Separation Wall. The Board stated, "We take this action as a matter of conscience and an expression of our unwillingness to remain complicit with violence and oppression occurring daily in Palestine and Israel, which is contrary to all that we know to be true and right." www.afsc.org/israel-palestine/default.htm
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers): Ann Arbor Friends Meeting. 9/09

This group adopted a resolution (or 'minute') in September 2009 calling for Nonviolence and an End to Military Aid to Israel. The resolution said, in part: 'We urge the President and Congress to stop military aid to Israel, to work for an end to all violence, and to press for unimpeded delivery of humanitarian supplies and rebuilding equipment into Gaza. We urge adoption of a viable peace agreement grounded in the human rights and security needs of both Israelis and Palestinians and providing for the just sharing of land and water.'http://www.quakerpi.org/Q-Action.shtml
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers): Atlanta Quaker Meeting. 2006

This group adopted a resolution that said, in part, 'The Atlanta Friends Meeting urges the President and Congress to act immediately to halt Israel's military attacks in the Middle East that are being conducted with U.S.-supplied weapons in violation of our laws. We urge the President and Congress to stop all foreign assistance and military equipment exports to Israel until it ceases military attacks outside of its internationally recognized borders.'The resolution called for a cease-fire and negotiations to end Israel's conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza. http://atlanta.quaker.org/peaceminutes.htm
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Lake Erie Yearly Meeting. 6/09

This regional Quaker body, representing Friends from Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, adopted the following minute at its annual gathering in June 2009: "As Quakers, we urge the President and Congress to stop military equipment exports to Israel, to work for an end to all violence, and to press for unimpeded delivery of humanitarian supplies and rebuilding equipment into Gaza. We urge adoption of a viable peace agreement grounded in the human rights and security needs of both Israelis and Palestinians and providing for the just sharing of land and water." http://www.quaker.org/leym/News/bulletins_files/LEYM-46-3.pdf
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers): Olympia Meeting, Washington State. 8/06

'By using US-supplied weapons to attack Gaza and Lebanon, Israel is violating the terms of the US Arms Export Control Act and Foreign Assistance Act. The Arms Export Control Act restricts the use of US weapons to legitimate self-defense and internal policing; US weapons cannot be used to attack civilians in offensive operations. The Foreign Assistance Act prohibits US aid of any kind to a country that routinely kills civilians as a result of its military operations. 'We urge the President and Congress to stop all foreign assistance and military equipment exports to Israel until it ceases military attacks outside of its internationally recognized borders.' http://olyfriends.homestead.com/justice.html#anchor_29
Roman Catholic: Mercy Investment Program, Sisters of Mercy, Maryknoll Sisters, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Sisters of Loretto, together with Jewish Voice for Peace. 2004, 2005

As shareholders in Caterpillar, Inc., the Sisters of Loretto filed a resolution in 2004, asking Caterpillar to stop providing arms to Israel. A Sister addressed the annual shareholders meeting, telling the executives, 'You understand the implications of improvement in clean emissions, equal employment opportunity, environmental impact of mining and logging. But with sales to the Israeli Army through the Department of Defense, you have stepped up Caterpillar's role in the public arena. Caterpillar bulldozers are tools of war now and Caterpillar is an arms dealer, sharing in responsibility for the horrendous use of those weapons.'The resolution won 4% of the shareholders'votes, assuring its reconsideration in 2005. The Sisters'communities in 2005 joined Jewish Voice for Peace in asking CAT to investigate whether its sale of bulldozers to Israel violates the company's own code of conduct: 'It is a matter of public record that since September 2000, the Israeli government has used Caterpillar equipment to destroy more than 3000 homes, hundreds of public buildings and private commercial properties and vast areas of agricultural land,'uprooting 'hundreds of thousands of olive trees as well as orchards of dates, prunes, lemons and oranges causing widespread economic hardship and environmental degradation in rural areas of Palestine.'The resolution received a 3% vote at the shareholders'meeting. http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/publish/article_192.shtml, http://www.catdestroyshomes.org/article.php?id=526
Roman Catholic: National Coalition of American Nuns. 8/07

The coalition, founded in 1969 for individual nuns dedicated to issues of social justice and human rights, backed municipal boycotts of Caterpillar machinery and a boycott of Israeli goods at its 2007 board meeting. "Because Caterpillar (CAT) bulldozers are used as weapons of war in the Occupied Territories in violation not only of the U. S. Arms Export Control Act, but also of international law and the corporation's own code of conduct, we call for divestment from Caterpillar, municipal boycotts of CAT machinery, and a consumer boycott of other CAT products." Further, "We encourage a boycott of Israeli goods in order to hasten a more just civil order in the Holy Land." http://www.ncan.us/page/2/
United Church of Christ (UCC). 7/05

"The Use of Economic Leverage in Promoting Peace in the Middle East," adopted at UCC's twenty-fifth General Synod, asked pension boards, conferences, local churches and members to use economic leverage -- advocating reallocation of US foreign aid to constrain Middle East militarization; contributing to groups and partners committed to nonviolent resolution of the conflict; challenging corporations'practices that gain from the conflict and occupation; and divesting from companies that refuse to change these practices. The Synod called for education of congregants about how economic leverage may help support the development of Palestine and Israel as two independent, secure, economically viable states. It further urged continuation of dialogue with Jewish, Christian and Muslim partners to work for Israel-Palestine peace. http://www.cmep.org/Statements/2005July_UCCEconomic.htm
United Methodist Church: General Conference. 2004, 2008

In 2004, the United Methodist General Conference overwhelmingly passed a resolution opposing Israel's occupation of Palestinian land. The resolution stated: 'Therefore, be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church opposes continued military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, the confiscation of Palestinian land and water resources, the destruction of Palestinian homes, the continued building of illegal Jewish settlements, and any vision of a "Greater Israel" that includes the occupied territories and the whole of Jerusalem and its surroundings.'The United Methodist General Conference of, 2008 advanced its commitment to ethical investment by establishing a "socially responsible investment task force" to examine how church investments may avoid linkage with companies involved in human rights abuses in the Middle East, as well as in China and Sudan. http://archives.umc.org/interior_print.asp?ptid=4&mid=6855 www.unitedmethodistdivestment.com, www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/publish/article_1091.shtml
United Methodist Church: Regional conferences:

United Methodist regional or annual conferences that have passed resolutions calling for economic action to end the Israeli occupation include Baltimore-Washington Conference, California-Nevada, California-Pacific, New England, North Central New York, Northern Illinois, Oregon-Idaho, Rocky Mountain, Virginia, and Western Ohio. www.unitedmethodistdivestment.com The New England Conference established a Divestment Task Force in 2005 to communicate with and publicize key companies found to support the Occupation. Twenty companies were placed on a divestment list and shared with Methodist churches and investment managers. They are Lockheed Martin, Blockbuster, Alliant Tech Systems, Boeing, Caterpillar, Cement Roadstone Holdings, General Dynamics, General Electric, Globecomm Systems, Magal Security Systems, Motorola, Northrop Grumman, Oshkosh Truck Corp, Raytheon, Silicon Graphics, Terex, United Technologies, Veolia Environnement, ITT, and Volvo. "Selective divestment is consistent with the United Methodist commitment to a just and sustainable peace for all the people of the Middle East," says William Aldrich, of the Task Force. 'Selective divestment offers a tangible way of working toward this goal." www.neumc.org/divest
United Methodist Church Detroit Conference. 5/10

At their Annual Conference, May 20-23, United Methodists representing the 450 UMC churches in the eastern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and all of the Upper Peninsula passed the following motion: 'Be it resolved that the Detroit Annual Conference petition the United Methodist General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits to divest itself of funds it has invested in corporations whose business and products are supporting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.'http://www.detroitconference.org/pages/detail/1751#11
United Methodist Church - Northern Illinois Conference. 6/10

Members of the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) voted at their Annual Conference in June to divest all holdings in three international corporations that profit from the occupation of Palestinian land. Sponsors of the measure said, 'This action is in response to a plea by Palestinian Christians for action, not just words.'These three companies are among 20 targeted by many UMC conferences across the country because they (1) have a presence on occupied land, (2) are involved with the physical settlements, checkpoints and the separation wall, or (3) support activities of the Israeli military in the occupied territories. The conference will also send a list of the 20 identified companies to the nearly 400 local churches in Northern Illinois and encourage them to consider divestment from any corporations on the list. http://pwjcoordinators.blogspot.com/2010/06/peace-with-justice-coordinators_17.html
The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS). 6/10

The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) condemned the deadly interception May 31 in international waters by Israeli troops that led to the deaths of nine persons on a humanitarian aid mission to Gaza. 'We grieve the loss of life and injuries sustained in what became a tragic confrontation between the forces of peace and those of armed aggression,'said Jim Winkler, chief executive of the United Methodist social justice agency. Winkler called the Israeli troops'boarding of the 'Freedom Flotilla'in international waters more than just an act of high-seas piracy. 'It is symptomatic of a broader, hopelessly flawed policy by Israel to subjugate the Palestinian people, allegedly to protect is own security,'he said, adding that the United States has been 'complicit in this flawed policy.'

US Assembly of Jews Confronting Racism and Israeli Apartheid. 6/10

More than 200 Jewish Americans assembled in Detroit June 19-22 for the first national Jewish anti-Zionist assembly. The gathering was organized by the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network and the Middle East Children's Alliance, and was supported by many Jewish anti-Zionist groups and other peace-with-justice organizations around the world. http://www.jewsconfrontapartheid.org/
American Jews for a Just Peace (AJJP). 8/08

American Jews for a Just Peace, formed in 2008, is an alliance of activists working for equal rights, safety and dignity for all the people of historic Palestine. AJJP's "Common Ground" principles "recognize the importance of boycott, divestment and sanctions work and support the right of our members to engage in that work." The group further calls for cessation of US aid to Israel until that government ends its occupation and expropriation of land in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem and achieves a just peace. AJJP operates as an alliance of autonomous chapters and individual members committed to these and other principles listed on its web site. It is predominantly Jewish but welcomes the participation of others committed to these core principles. http://www.ajjp.org/about/common-ground/
Breaking the Law of Return

Breaking the Law of Return is an initiative taken by Jews around the world to disassociate themselves from Israel's occupation by rejecting the 'right'to 'return'to Israel, a state in which many have never lived, while native Palestinians are being expelled. In the United States the effort is being facilitated through Facebook, and hundreds of Jews have signed the statement. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=296967332350
International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN). 2009

IJAN is a worldwide network of Jews opposed to Zionism. It has branches in Europe, the US, UK, Israel Canada, India, Morroco and Argentina. In the US, it is active especially in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago and the Twin Cities (Minnesota). It has called for an international campaign against the Jewish National Fund, and supports the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. http://www.ijsn.net/C89/
International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) Twin Cities. 2009

In 2009, IJAN Twin Cities members published online commentaries and produced cable access shows addressing Palestinian solidarity. They also held a 'Picnic for Palestine,'provided commentary for a performance of a play about US peace activist Rachel Corrie, and took other actions including participation by one of their members in the Gaza Freedom March. http://www.ijsn.net/C89/
J Street. 7/10

J Street is a 'pro-Israel, pro-peace'organization of American Jews advocating for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. J Street issued a statement on July 6, 2010 that read: 'J Street calls on the United States Treasury Department and relevant Congressional bodies to launch thorough investigations into whether or not the organizations funding settlement activities on the West Bank named in today's New York Times report have broken the law. The alleged links between the named organizations and former officials and donors associated with far-right Jewish groups that are classified as terrorist organizations by the State Department provide a reasonable starting point for an investigation. J Street reiterates our ongoing concern over the intention and impact of American organizations and individuals that fundraise for settlement activity over the Green Line, including for many outposts that even the Israeli government considers illegal. Ongoing settlement construction is diminishing the chances of a two-state solution and endangering Israel's very future as a Jewish, democratic home. Funding such activity is both irresponsible and provocative.'http://www.jstreet.org/blog/?p=1162
Jewish American Medical Project (now Jewish Voice for Peace Health and Human Rights Project

Established originally as the Jewish American Medical Project, this group sends specialized delegations to Palestine consisting of medical and human rights workers, journalists, labor organizers and others. JVP HAHRP participants work closely with Palestinian health and human rights organizations to provide care, material aid, and exchange information. Participants return from trips committed to making presentations and/or sharing their experiences, and become part of a vital network of alumni who share stories, support and information, largely through the JVP HAHRP email list. Most people who participate in the program are Jewish, but it is not a requirement. http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/publish/article_428.shtml
Jewish Voice for Peace, US. 5/10, 7/10

The group includes American Jews and Israeli peace activists. It supports selective divestment from companies 'that profit from Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem and from Israeli companies that use settlements as a source for materials and labor or that produce military equipment used to violate Palestinian human rights.'JVP notes that US military aid since 1949 'represents the largest transfer of funds from one country to another in history.'JVP condemned the Israeli military raid on the Gaza ships convoy in May, 2010 and has called for an end to the siege of Gaza.
In July, JVP launched a petition to TIAA-CREF, asking it to stop investing in companies that profit from the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In a remarkable accomplishment, JVP presented more than 15,000 signatures on the petition and individual post cards to TIAA-CREF at its annual meeting on July 19th! The company agreed to meet with representatives from JVP the following day. The campaign is now increasing its goal to 50,000 signatures to persuade the company to stop investing in the occupation. http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/campaigns/gaza-flotilla, www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org
Jewish Women for Justice in Israel/Palestine. 3/10

Jews Against the Occupation sent a letter to the Presbyterian Church USA saying, 'We are writing as deeply committed Jews to thank the Presbyterian Church for acting as a true friend to our people. Their decisions to condemn Israel's Wall . . . and to begin selective divestment of holdings in multinational corporations doing business in Israel/Palestine represent an important step forward in the struggle for Palestinian freedom and an end to the conflict . . . (W)e believe that the day will come, be it in five years or fifty, when the Presbyterian Church's action in this matter will be remembered with love and gratitude by Jews around the world. . . 'http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4806.shtml
Jews for a Just Peace, North Carolina. 2001, 2009

On its web site, this group states 'As American Jews we are deeply committed to a peaceful and just resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, a resolution that will provide safety, security and freedom for Jews and Palestinians and all others living in the region. We believe that such a peace can only be achieved when Israel withdraws from its settlements, ends the occupation of the Palestinian territories and addresses the legitimate national and human rights of the Palestinian people. In November 2009, the group signed a letter calling for acceptance of the Goldstone Report on war crimes in Gaza. http://www.jfajpnc.org/
Not in My Name (NIMN). 1/05

NIMN supports selective divestment as a tool to oppose the Occupation. This predominantly Jewish US group stated in 1/05, 'We continue to add our voices to the growing anti-Occupation movement and make it clear that Israel neither speaks nor acts in the name of all Jews.'The group's web site says, '[T]he Occupation is destroying Israeli society by increasing poverty, violence, and insecurity. Therefore actions that oppose the Occupation are, in fact, pro-Israeli. Furthermore, we believe that such actions are in keeping with our vision of a Judaism that is based on the principle of justice.''We believe that the Israelis and Palestinians deserve a chance to live together in peace and we support self-determination for both peoples. We oppose the obstacles that prevent the creation of a just and lasting peace, and believe that the Occupation and the U.S. support for it are primary obstacles. 'Well-designed divestment campaigns can help focus public discourse on the Occupation. They can also have a positive material impact, as has been shown by such projects as the grape boycott to support the United Farm Workers and the opposition to South African apartheid.''Therefore, NIMN urges its members and supporters to investigate and actively support selective divestment and boycott campaigns that target corporations that profit from the Occupation.'http://www.nimn.org/Resources/divestments/000450.php?section=
Ta'anit Tzedek - Jewish Fast For Gaza

As conditions worsened for the people of Gaza after Israel's assault in 2009, a rabbinical minyan or quorum of ten US rabbis formed 'Ta'anit Tzedek,'or the Jewish Fast for Gaza. By mid-September, 70 rabbis had joined the fast along with more than 600 supporters. According to its web site, 'Ta'anit Tzedek - Jewish Fast for Gaza is an initiative that seeks to end the Jewish community's silence over Israel's collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza'The Jewish Fast for Gaza is an ad hoc group of rabbis, Jews, and people of conscience who have committed to undertake a monthly daytime fast in support of the following goals: 1. To call for a lifting of the blockade that prevents the entry of civilian goods and services into Gaza; 2. To provide humanitarian and developmental aid to the people of Gaza; 3. To call upon Israel, the US, and the international community to engage in negotiations without pre-conditions with all relevant Palestinian parties - including Hamas - in order to end the blockade; 4. To encourage the American government to vigorously engage both Israelis and Palestinians toward a just and peaceful settlement of the conflict." http://www.fastforgaza.net/

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). 5/10

On May 31, 2010 the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urged President Obama to condemn what the Muslim civil rights group called an Israeli "massacre" of civilians on a flotilla of ships in international waters seeking to bring humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip. Israeli commandos killed 9 civilians in a pre-dawn raid on the flotilla. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-president-obama-must-condemn-gaza-flotilla-massacre-95251729.html
Islamic Center of Central Missouri. 6/10

Members of the Islamic Center held a demonstration on June 2 against Israeli killings of Gaza humanitarian flotilla participants earlier in the week. They held a sign saying 'End the Occupation-Siege-Oppression Now.'http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/06/02/meets-discuss-gaza-flotilla-raid/
The Islamic Information Center (IIC), Washington, DC. 6/10

The Islamic Information Center (IIC) condemned the attack against the peaceful Gaza aid flotilla by Israeli forces, and called upon community members to take action. IIC joins a growing consensus of human rights organizations calling for the US government to take immediate action. http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=efaebca2ff68a6b122f31185d&id=254d76cb1f
Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, American Muslims for Palestine, Free Palestine Alliance and National Council of Arab Americans. 2/09

These groups organized rallies in 8 American cities and Toronto, Canada in late December, 2008 and early January, 2009 to show solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza and to demand an immediate end to the attacks carried out by the Israeli military against the people of Gaza. http://www.tsmmedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=157:arab-american-muslim-groups-plans-nationwide-rallies-against-israel-aggression-on-palestinians&catid=69:world-news&Itemid=97
National Association of Muslim American Women (NAMAW). 2009

The National Association of Muslim American Women (NAMAW) is donating the proceeds from their new Ramadan cookbook to the Free Gaza Movement. Free Gaza has organized numerous boat trips to the Gaza Strip to break the Israeli siege of that Palestinian territory. http://freegaza.org/

Yemen

Yemen Jews. 6/10

The Jewish community in Yemen condemned the Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in June, 2010. Representing the community, Rabbi Yahya Ya'ish said that the Yemeni Jews censure any attack or killing against the innocents, and consider Israel's attack on the people on board the flotilla for a humanitarian task as 'beast acts'denied by all divine religions and laws. http://www.fananews.com/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=865763&NrIssue=12&NrSection=1

Acknowledgments

The Global DBS Maps, which have been produced by Sadaka, use 'mapper.js' from Christian Effenburger http://www.netzgesta.de/mapper/. Most of the information is taken from 'Global Actions to End Israel's Occupation' (http://www.interfaithpeaceinitiative.com/globalactions.pdf) produced by the Palestine-Israel Action Group, a committee of Ann Arbor, Michigan Quakers (http://www.quakerpi.org/Q-Action.shtml)