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| UK concern at Anglican divestment from Israel
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Lord Carey, former archbishop of Cantebury, who opposed the vote to disinvest from companies that “profit” from Israel’s “illegal occupation” of Palestinian territories
Photo: www.europe.anglican.org
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Leaders of the British Jewish community have spoken of their concern after the Anglican church voted on Monday to disinvest from companies that “profit” from Israel’s “illegal occupation” of Palestinian territories.
The vote by the General Synod of the Church of England was passed by an overwhelming majority, despite opposition from former archbishop of Cantebury Lord Carey.
Brought by Keith Malcouronne, a lay member from the Guildford diocese, the motion backed a call from what he described as “our sister church”, the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem.
It specifically cited the construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc, as the Israeli army are widely seen to use Caterpillar diggers during the demolition of Palestinian houses.
The motion urged the synod to adopt a "morally responsible investment in the Palestinian occupied territories and, in particular, to disinvest from companies profiting from the illegal occupation, such as Caterpillar Inc., until they change their policies."
Board worried
John Benjamin, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said he was “worried” that the COE did not discuss the situation fully.
“We are worried by the way the General Synod adopted the resolution, without conducting a serious debate and without discussing alternatives to the boycott weapon,” Benjamin said.
 That a policy of disinvestment would not only be misguided, particularly at the present time, but it would have worrying effects on the long-established ties between Jewish and Anglican communities worldwide
A spokesman for UK Chief Rabbi | “There were sound reasons why the Israeli government had adopted its security policies, but these were never aired or discussed by the synod.”
Pro-Israel groups, including the newly organized Anglicans For Israel, were not given any opportunity to speak during the debate.
Benjamin said he believed the decision illustrates a lack of understanding of the situation amongst the Church officials.
“What it shows is that the thinking of people who support these resolutions is not very sophisticated," Benjamin said.
"Israel will be criticized regardless of what happens," he added.
Carey, who had campaigned against the divestment motion, told the Jerusalem Post that he believed it was a “most regrettable and one-sided statement,"
He added that it "ignores the trauma of ordinary Jewish people" in Israel subjected to terrorist attacks.
Williams supports motion
Current Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, however, supported the motion, which was voted by a show of hands.
One other Bishop who supported the motion was the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Rev John Gladwin, who claimed that Christians in Palestine were in a despairing situation.
"Caterpillar may be a company being used for dreadful purposes across the world, but the problem is not Caterpillar, The problem is the situation in the Middle East and the government of Israel," he said.
The synod’s decision may have serious repercussions for relations between Christians and Jews in the UK.
Sister Margaret Shepard, the director of the Council for Christians and Jews, said: “The CCJ deeply regrets that the motion concerning disinvestment… it makes no attempt to promote positive investment or seek any form of peace or reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. It pays no heed to the diversity of Israel and offers no encouragement to those who are involved in the disengagement process.”
The deputy director of the Christian Friends of Israel, Geoffrey Smith, added: “We are deeply concerned by the resolution passed regarding disinvestment. Having contacts with Jews and Palestinians, we deplore any action by the Church of England which undermines its remaining credibility as a mediator and peacemaker in the present situation.”
The office of the Chief Rabbi has not yet made any comments but is expected to be concerned.
A spokesman for the Chief Rabbi said last year “that a policy of disinvestment would not only be misguided, particularly at the present time, but it would have worrying effects on the long-established ties between Jewish and Anglican communities worldwide.”
Jonny Paul in London contributed to this report.
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