GC39 Ethical Investment for Peace in Palestine and Israel (2006E735)

That the 39th General Council 2006

1. Receive for information the report on Ethical Investment for Peace in Palestine and Israel.

2. Direct that the report inform the purpose statement(s) to be developed by this General Council.

3. Through the General Secretary, General Council invite the membership, congregations and organizations of The United Church of Canada to contribute to the realization of a just peace in Palestine and Israel through:

   1. continuing to work with the Jewish and Arab communities to promote peace and understanding and the end of hostilities in the Middle East;

   2. continuing to denounce acts of violence perpetrated against persons on all sides of the conflict;

   3. adopting a pro-investment strategy with companies which engage in ethically responsible business, and contribute to peace and a secure and economically viable Palestinian state alongside a secure and economically viable State of Israel;

   4. Making financial investments, as they pertain to Israel, Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, only in peaceful pursuits, and affirming that the customary ethical investment process of our denomination is the proper vehicle for achieving this goal. Non-peaceful pursuits would include Canadian and international corporations and companies that:

      1. provide products, services or financial support to groups that engage in violence against Palestinian or Israeli persons.; or

      2. provide products services or technology to any government or organization that refuses to recognize the legitimate rights of the State of Israel including its right to exist as a Jewish State.

      3. provide products, services or technology that sustain, support or maintain the occupation;

      4. have established facilities or operations on occupied land;

      5. provide products, services, or financial support for the establishment, expansion, and/or maintenance of settlements on occupied land or settlement-related infrastructure;

      6. provide finances or assist in the construction and/or maintenance of the separation barrier within occupied territories;

   5. advocacy with the Canadian government and corporations to take leadership in international efforts toward a just and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

4. Request that the executive of Executive of the General Council to develop the means of raising one million dollars to support projects initiatives and groups of any faith working for peace in Palestine and Israel.

GC39 2006 ROP, p. 718