The committee report came in response to last year’s Executive Council charge to investigate what corporate actions “might be appropriate with companies that contribute to the infrastructure of Israel’s ongoing occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and with companies that have connections to organizations responsible for violence against Israel.” In preparing the report, the SRI committee engaged in research and study, talked with many groups and individuals, visited Israel and the Palestinian Territories and observed actions by other denominations that faced similar issues.

The committee said it was not responsible for creating new policy but for making recommendations that advance the church’s existing social policies on Israel and Palestine. Its main purpose, it said, is to promote peace and justice.

“[The report] was very carefully thought through and represents a consensus from a group that began with extremely diverse opinions on the issues,” said Kim Byham, Executive Council’s liaison to the committee. “It also reflects the results of our studies of the issues, including our inspection visit and numerous meetings with representatives of all points of view.”

Corporate engagement

Through “corporate engagement,” the church would encourage companies in which it has investments to adopt socially responsible practices that advance “positive changes in Israeli government policy” that would end the occupation, “as well as urging the Palestinian Authority to oppose violence as a means of resistance.” The report recommends investments that would “provide support for the development of a future Palestinian state.” It also urges the church to “engage in dialogue or file shareholder resolutions with companies in which it owns shares.”

It says the church should join with other religious organizations, denominations and institutions in investing in the economic infrastructure of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. “A stable Palestinian state will make for a more secure Israel,” the report states. In particular, it recommends that Executive Council seek opportunities, with others, for making loans to loan funds in the Palestinian Territories and elsewhere that foster economic justice and development in support of a future Palestinian State.

“The goal is for selected companies to change behavior resulting in a more hopeful climate for peace,” the committee stated, explaining why it is not recommending divestment. “If the church simply divests, nothing positive has happened.” The Rev. Canon Brian Grieves, director of Peace and Justice Ministries for the national office, emphasized that the report represented the committee’s recommendations to council and not the position of the church.

“The committee has worked diligently and thoughtfully these past several months,” he said, “and has struggled hard to hear and respond to varying views, while being mindful of the church’s policy positions on the conflict.” The SRI committee has agreed “to continue research on and dialogue with other church groups, Jewish organizations and Israeli and Palestinian organizations to build bridges of understanding and a common witness for a just peace in the Holy Land.”