C of E urged to disinvest from companies working in Occupied Territories

Christian clerics today demanded that the Church of England honour its commitment to disinvest from Israeli companies operating in the occupied territories.

More than 20 clerics and theologians, including Alun Morinan, national co-ordinator of the Christian Network's Campaign Against the Arms Trade, signed a letter published today in The Guardian newspaper, calling for immediate action.

The letter says: "In February, 2006, the Church of England voted at the General Synod to disinvest in companies that operated in the Palestinian
occupied territories, saying that there was a need for 'morally responsible investment'. This was a highly principled decision by the Synod, one that we totally support.

"However, since that resolution was passed, the Church has not acted on that decision and it still remains that the Church of England has investments in companies that profit from the suppression of human rights in the Palestinian occupied territories.

"We believe that given the events in Gaza as well as the continued illegal occupation of whole swathes of Palestinian land and the illegal land grabs by settlers, supported by the Israeli government, that the Church of England must make good on its policy of disinvestment and withdraw its investments from those who profit from the misery of millions of Palestinians immediately."

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) applauded the move. Betty Hunter, its general secretary, said the General Synod had taken "a morally courageous decision" to disinvest.

"Sadly, three years on and the Church of England retains investments of £2.2 million [Dh12m] in a company, Caterpillar, whose bulldozers and heavy machinery are used to extract the legitimate residents of Palestine to be replaced by illegal settlers. I hope that the General Synod will take heed of what their own clergy and congregations are saying and disinvest now."