By Andrew L. Jaffee

It seems that the Presbyterian Church (USA) is reconsidering its decision to divest from Israel. I believe this decision is a result of grass-roots Presbyterians rebelling against their rabidly left-leaning leadership. My wife’s family are Presbyterians living in Alabama, and they thought the idea of divestment verged on anti-Semitism. A vote was held at the the Church’s 217th General Assembly meeting. According to today’s Washington Post:

Under intense pressure from church members and Jewish groups, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has modified its controversial position calling for “phased, selective divestment” in companies involved in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

While church leaders said divestment — withdrawing church funds — remains an option of “last resort,” Wednesday’s vote shifts the church’s focus toward negotiation with companies rather than an all-out financial boycott.

The 500 commissioners, or delegates, meeting in Birmingham, said church funds could be invested “in only peaceful pursuits” and ordered the church’s investments committee to continue dialogue with multinational firms operating in Israel and Palestinian territories.

The statement also apologized for the “hurt and misunderstanding” felt by Jewish groups, which have been longtime allies with the Presbyterians on many social issues, and appealed for “a new season of mutual understanding.”

The new statement was adopted by the General Assembly after virtually no debate.

Rabbi A. James Rudin, the senior interreligious affairs adviser for the American Jewish Committee, praised the Presbyterians for stepping back from what he called a “reckless” policy.

The call for divestment was adopted by the 2.3 million-member denomination’s convention in 2004.

I heard a brief news blurb today stating that the Assembly had also voted to condemn suicide bombings. If anyone has a link to a story on this vote, please contact me.