New York, NY, July 12, 2012 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applauded the Episcopal Church for promoting positive investment and a negotiated two-state solution in the Israel-Palestinian conflict at the triennial General Convention Assembly in Indianapolis.

The Episcopal Church joins the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA), which have in recent weeks rejected the biased, misguided campaign urging these mainline Protestant Churches to divest from companies doing business with Israel.  The U.S. Episcopal Church, affiliated with the Anglican Church, also tabled a resolution calling for corporate engagement and dissemination of "information on products" made in the West Bank.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, and Rabbi Eric J. Greenberg, ADL Director of Interfaith Affairs, issued the following statement: 

We applaud the constructive approach taken by the Episcopal Church, choosing to invest in positive activities and rejecting the damaging, misguided tactics proposed by those in the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

 

We particularly appreciate the courageous stance taken by the Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, who made it clear this year that the Episcopal Church does not endorse divestment or boycotts,  and asked Episcopalians to choose investment instead, explaining that, "It's not going to be helpful to endorse divestment or boycott of Israel.  It will only end in punishing Palestinians economically."

 

We look forward to working with the Episcopal Church to promote greater respect, understanding and dialogue between our two faith groups and help repair a fractured world.