Not only has the Presbyterian Church voted this week to allow same-sex marriage to be performed by pastors, it seems this unusual religious morality continues into the crime of recognizing that Palestinians are human beings, and that they are not being treated as such by Israel.
After passionate debate over how best to help break the deadlock between Israel and the Palestinians, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted on Friday at its general convention to divest from three companies that it says supply Israel with equipment used in the occupation of Palestinian territory.
The vote, by a count of 310 to 303, was watched closely in Washington and Jerusalem and by Palestinians as a sign of momentum for a movement to pressure Israel to stop building settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and to end the occupation, with a campaign known as B.D.S., for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), one of a handful of historic mainline Protestant denominations and the church of many American presidents, is the largest yet to endorse divestment at a churchwide convention, and the vote follows a decade of debate — and a close call at the assembly two years ago, when divestment failed by only two votes.
Amazing. Here's the crux of the issue:
The measure that was passed not only called for divestment but also reaffirmed Israel’s right to exist, endorsed a two-state solution, encouraged interfaith dialogue and travel to the Holy Land, and instructed the church to undertake “positive investment” in endeavors that advance peace and improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians. It also said the motion was “not to be construed” as “alignment with or endorsement of the global B.D.S.” movement by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The language was written by the church’s 65-member Middle East committee.
Of course the Presbyterians are being immediately attacked.
Major Jewish organizations were quick to issue statements expressing distress and outrage. Rabbi Steve Gutow, president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, called the divestment action “outrageous” and said it would have a “devastating impact” on relations between the national church and mainstream Jewish groups.
Mr. Rada, the church’s moderator, said at a news conference after the vote, “I don’t believe you could talk to a single commissioner and have any of them say they were doing this as an anti-Jewish issue.
“I think there is a lot of emotion about the unjust treatment on the part of the Israeli government toward the Palestinians, but there is equal upset,” he said, about “terrorist activity that has been undertaken by the Palestinians.”
Equating Israeli treatment of Palestinians through collective punishment and military action with Palestinian terrorism in any way, no matter how valid the comparison, no matter how many bodies these actions create on both sides, is a recipe for instant accusations of antisemitism. Judging by the comments in that NY Times piece on the divestment vote, such a statement immediately makes all Presbyterians in the US anti-Semitic and anyone who agrees with them as well.
It's not the case, but why look for solutions?
"Antisemitism," like "neoliberal" and "communist," have been drained of meaning and reduced to rhetorical markers indicating dislike: grown up equivalents of "poopyhead," if you will.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Hasbaratis in general have made this happen with their persistent campaigns of vilification, Abe Foxman of the ADL bears an especially heavy burden of responsibility with his habit of denouncing everyone as an antisemite: the mayor of his city, the guy who cuts his turkey, the monsters who live under his bed.
Normal people just roll their eyes and congratulate the Presbyterians for making a small stand for Peace and Justice.