The Episcopal Church votes to Divest
July 16, 2018Thanks to the tireless efforts of our partners at Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) and other devoted groups, the Episcopal Church, with over 3 million members, has voted to divest from companies that are complicit in violating Palestinian human rights!
The resolutions state that the Episcopal Church resolves to:
- End its complicity in the occupation by conducting a human rights screen on its investments and divesting accordingly
- Reaffirm Palestinian self-determination and a commitment to achieving a just peace
- Condemn the use of live fire on protesters in Gaza and call for the United States to cooperate with U.N.-led investigations
- Call on the United States to restore funding to UNRWA for Palestinian refugees
- Safeguard the rights of Palestinian children under international law
- Condemn the U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem and advocate for equal access for all Jerusalem residents to holy sites
This is a monumental victory for all those who support justice and peace in Palestine and comes on the heels of a similar set of resolutions passed by the General Convention of the Presbyterian Church of the USA in June. This means that two of the largest churches in the United States have explicitly condemned the illegal occupation of Palestine and have publicly expressed their support for those who live under occupation and have seen their rights and liberties gradually stripped away. This is yet another sign that the work of FOSNA, CFOS, Sabeel Jerusalem, and all the other groups around the world that continue to advocate for justice, is more important than ever.
