MCC invites discussion on economic responses to the Israeli occupation

12 August 2005

Dear Friends,

Good day to you all. We hope that all is well with you today and that your summer has been a good one.

Over the past months, the MCC Palestine Update has continued to address the discussion on alternative pressures to struggle against the Israeli occupation over Palestinian life and land including the conversation about the morally responsible investment. A very sensitive topic to be sure.

As many of you know, following a Mennonite Central Committee advocacy delegation visit to Palestine / Israel earlier this year, the MCC Middle East department drafted a discussion paper to speak to these issues. An MCC press release was sent out last week to somewhat officially mark the paper, simply titled “Peacebuilding in Palestine/Israel: A Discussion Paper,” going “public.” We wanted to share this press release with you as well as the websites where this paper (as well as the EAG paper titled “Frequently Asked Questions: Economic Pressure as a Tool for Establishing a Just Peace in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict”) is now available: http://www.mcc.org/papers.

As we have mentioned in the past, we are making this paper available to a wider audience because we feel it is important to share this with you and widen the conversation. And as the goal of this discussion paper is to initiate discussion, we continue to welcome your feedback on these issues as we all continue to work for a justpeace in this land.

Peace,

Timothy and Christi Seidel
Peace Development Workers
Mennonite Central Committee - Palestine

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Aug. 5, 2005

MCC invites discussion on economic responses to the Israeli occupation

AKRON, Pa. — Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is inviting Mennonites and Brethren in Christ to discuss economic responses to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.

MCC staff have worked with Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers to write two papers exploring possibilities for economic action to promote justice, peace and security in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. Such action could include shareholder activism, divestment or consumer boycotts.

The papers are titled, “Peacebuilding in Palestine/Israel: A Discussion Paper,” and “Frequently Asked Questions: Economic Pressure as a Tool for Establishing a Just Peace in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict.” They are available on the MCC Web site at www.mcc.org/papers.

“Palestinian and Israeli peace-builders have urged MCC to explore questions of socially responsible investment in Palestine and Israel with our supporting churches,” said Bob Herr, co-director of MCC’s Peace Office.

“Even as the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip goes ahead, the reality on the ground is one of a solidified occupation and of increasing hopelessness,” he added. “The discussion papers are intended to start a conversation among Mennonites and Brethren in Christ about what role economic pressure might play in restoring hope and promoting security for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

Staff in the MCC's Middle East programs, with support from the Peace Office, are in conversation with church leaders and church-affiliated institutional investors about the possibility of arranging a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to learn about socially responsible investment as it relates to the Israeli occupation.

MCC supports Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers who are committed to a future of justice, peace and security for all Israelis and Palestinians. MCC has a 55-year history of working for relief and development in Palestine and a 30-year history of working with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers.

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