Rethinking Our Alliances

July 12, 2012

Dear Friend of Israel,

At their recent biennial General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church (USA) entertained a proposal to divest from companies that do business in Israel. This is not the first time the once-prominent denomination has considered divestment to protest what it considers unjust Israeli policies in the West Bank. This year, the divestment resolution met the same fate as similar proposals in 2006, 2008, and 2010 it was struck down, and replaced with a "positive investment" strategy aimed at strengthening the Palestinian economy.

On its face, this was a victory not just for friends of Israel, but for fairness and common sense. Singling out the Jewish state — the Middle East's only democracy — for criticism, when it is surrounded by nations where gross human rights abuses are daily occurrences, seems not just misguided, but perverse. But, looking closer, there's little cause for celebration. Delegates at the PCUSA General Assembly struck down divestment by a mere two votes; the final vote was 333 against and 331 for, with two abstentions. This hardly suggests a broad consensus in favor of Israel in the denomination, nor does the fact that another resolution calling for a boycott of "all Israeli products coming from occupied Palestinian Territories" passed by a large margin.

Divestment proponents expressed disappointment over the vote. Rev. Jeffrey DeYoe sympathized with "Palestinians who continue to struggle against the occupation," assuring delegates that "We continue to commit ourselves to their struggle." Rev. Katherine Cunningham of the church's Israel/Palestine Mission Network called divestment "an effective way to pressure the Israeli government into abiding by international law and respecting Palestinian human rights." Rick Ufford-Chase, a former PCUSA moderator who bills himself as "Elder, Mission Co-Worker, Peacemaker" was more emphatic, saying that "No investment will make any difference if we fail to dismantle the apparatus of the occupation," adding that Israel's presence in the West Bank is "a form of apartheid."

All of this assumes that Israel has no regard for the rule of law, no respect for human rights, and that she is bent on imposing "apartheid" on Palestinians. It demonstrates an animus towards Israel that is bigger than divestment itself. Will Spotts, a former PCUSA member who has criticized the church for its policies on Israel and a host of other issues, gets to the heart of the matter when he accuses the PCUSA of a "crippling, long-standing, institutional bias against Israel, and an excessive toleration for and occasional indulgence in anti-Semitic themes."

Striking down divestment means little if this institutional bias against Israel still exists in the church power structure. Divestment will almost certainly come up again at future General Assemblies, and, in all likelihood, it will eventually pass. Divestment proponents in the PCUSA have already signaled that they will continue to force the issue.

What should be our response? First, we should commend the concerned, faithful Presbyterians and members of other denominations who fight anti-Israel bias in their churches. We must hope and pray for their success. But it is time to reconsider the historic alliance between the Jewish community and mainline churches that entertain harsh anti-Israel measures. Yes, Jewish and mainline church leaders marched together in the '60s to advance the cause of civil rights, to oppose the war in Vietnam and, on more than one occasion, to raise the height of the wall separating church and state. But this alliance has been weakening for years, even as these denominations diminish in influence and experience a precipitous drop in membership.

As Presbyterians continue to debate a host of anti-Israel measures, we should instead focus on the alliance between the Jewish community and the millions of evangelical Christians who have proven themselves to be staunch supporters of Israel, who support the Jewish state and her people materially and in prayer. Here are friends that truly embody the biblical verse, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) Let us continue to reach out to each other, to develop and strengthen our bond, that has been the source of so much good for Israel, the Jewish people, and the world.

With prayers for shalom, peace,


Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President