Attending a Conference
For the PCLG people and anyone else here is something about a On November 12, 2005 7 members of our church out the 52 people who were attending, attended a tri-presbytery conference at the First Presbyterian Church of Oakland. The conference focused on the Israel/Palestine conflict and the issue surrounding the PCUSA General Assembly’s actions regarding this conflict.
In June 2004 the PCUSA General Assembly took the following actions regarding this conflict. Several months before this a regional Synod had called for the divestment from multinational companies along with the affirmation of the Geneva Accord. In June, the PCUSA GA met and came with a resolution regarding this issue. In this resolution they first called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. Secondly, calling for the mutual security guarantees, and thirdly calling for a negotiated and equitable peace in the region. Fourth was the calling for an end to attacks on innocent people by both sides. The fifth part called for the United States to be an even-handed broker for peace. Lastly, having a United Nations peacekeeping force in Palestine and calling for us to keep solidarity with our Christian partners in Israel/Palestine. Part of the resolution also called for the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee to start a process of phased, selective divestment from multinational corporations that operated in Israel.
At this conference I learned about different companies that were involved in Israel and which companies were being approached by MRTI and where that was at in terms of actions being taken. At this conference in the morning session three speakers took their turn at the podium. Those were Rev. Dr. Walter Davis an Emeritus Professor at San Francisco Theological Seminary, Elizabeth Sanders a missionary in-residence for PC, and Rev. Vernon S. Broyles III the PCUSA Associate for Corporate Witness, Justice and Companion Programs. Each spoke about their area of concern and how it helps and is involved in dealing with the conflict. After lunch a panel on moving forward was held. At this panel were, Rev. Charles P. Henderson the Executive Director of the Association for Religion and Intellectual Life, Rev. Carol Hovis the Executive Director of the Marin Interfaith Council, and Rev. Dr. Lair Stuart the Senior Minister of Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. After this, a number of round table discussions were held. These discussions were “Travel Opportunities and Encounters”, Constructive Investment, Interfaith Dialogue, Addressing Concerns of Anti-Semitism, Historical Context of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Living under Occupation and Legislation, policy and media. After these panels different videos were shown on the situation in the West Bank and then after this 14 people from this conference went to dinner and discussed in depth the issues affecting the PCUSA and what they thought of this conference that was held.
From this conference I gained the perspective that we need to stand up for our Christian brothers in places where they are being persecuted because of their nationality. I also found that we need to reach out to the Islamic community so that we may better learn and understand them as people. I went there for informational purposes and found out a lot about the situation from the different speakers and from the literature that was handed out. I do believe that the state of Israel has a right to exist but I don’t believe that they have a right to commit oppression. As my father taught me two wrongs don’t make a right and just because 6 million Jews had to die because of one man’s vendetta against them. This does not mean that Palestinians who want peace have to be punished because a few of them commit murder against those of Israeli descent. If you would like more information on any of the pamphlets that were given out please visit http://www.pcusa.org/stepstowardpeace.
In God’s Love
Tony Bayne
In June 2004 the PCUSA General Assembly took the following actions regarding this conflict. Several months before this a regional Synod had called for the divestment from multinational companies along with the affirmation of the Geneva Accord. In June, the PCUSA GA met and came with a resolution regarding this issue. In this resolution they first called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. Secondly, calling for the mutual security guarantees, and thirdly calling for a negotiated and equitable peace in the region. Fourth was the calling for an end to attacks on innocent people by both sides. The fifth part called for the United States to be an even-handed broker for peace. Lastly, having a United Nations peacekeeping force in Palestine and calling for us to keep solidarity with our Christian partners in Israel/Palestine. Part of the resolution also called for the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee to start a process of phased, selective divestment from multinational corporations that operated in Israel.
At this conference I learned about different companies that were involved in Israel and which companies were being approached by MRTI and where that was at in terms of actions being taken. At this conference in the morning session three speakers took their turn at the podium. Those were Rev. Dr. Walter Davis an Emeritus Professor at San Francisco Theological Seminary, Elizabeth Sanders a missionary in-residence for PC, and Rev. Vernon S. Broyles III the PCUSA Associate for Corporate Witness, Justice and Companion Programs. Each spoke about their area of concern and how it helps and is involved in dealing with the conflict. After lunch a panel on moving forward was held. At this panel were, Rev. Charles P. Henderson the Executive Director of the Association for Religion and Intellectual Life, Rev. Carol Hovis the Executive Director of the Marin Interfaith Council, and Rev. Dr. Lair Stuart the Senior Minister of Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. After this, a number of round table discussions were held. These discussions were “Travel Opportunities and Encounters”, Constructive Investment, Interfaith Dialogue, Addressing Concerns of Anti-Semitism, Historical Context of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Living under Occupation and Legislation, policy and media. After these panels different videos were shown on the situation in the West Bank and then after this 14 people from this conference went to dinner and discussed in depth the issues affecting the PCUSA and what they thought of this conference that was held.
From this conference I gained the perspective that we need to stand up for our Christian brothers in places where they are being persecuted because of their nationality. I also found that we need to reach out to the Islamic community so that we may better learn and understand them as people. I went there for informational purposes and found out a lot about the situation from the different speakers and from the literature that was handed out. I do believe that the state of Israel has a right to exist but I don’t believe that they have a right to commit oppression. As my father taught me two wrongs don’t make a right and just because 6 million Jews had to die because of one man’s vendetta against them. This does not mean that Palestinians who want peace have to be punished because a few of them commit murder against those of Israeli descent. If you would like more information on any of the pamphlets that were given out please visit http://www.pcusa.org/stepstowardpeace.
In God’s Love
Tony Bayne