 [Ecumenical News International] Jerusalem — Israeli officials have condemned as "one-sided" a decision by an international Anglican body supporting divestment from companies believed to help Israel maintain its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Anglican Consultative Council voted unanimously for the resolution which calls on all its 38 national and regional churches to ensure that they do not invest in companies that support Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories and Jewish settlement activity there.
The resolution followed a decision by the US Episcopal Church to take steps to prevent its churches' investments from inadvertently supporting Israeli occupation.
Calling the Anglican decision "extremely one-sided", Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev said the resolution "ignored the realities on the ground", particularly in light of Israel's decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip in August. "It will not in any way help Palestinians or Israelis or support reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians," he added.
During its 18 to 28 June meeting in Nottingham, England, the Anglican council approved initiatives to "encourage investment strategies that support the infrastructure of a future Palestinian state".
It also called on its member churches to examine investments in companies that might support Palestinian violence against innocent Israelis.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, the spiritual leader of the more than 75-million member Anglican Communion, was present at the meeting and voted in favour of the resolution.
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