Saturday, May 7, 2005
An emailer points to an article in Insights, the journal of the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, which presents the pro and con views of the PC(USA)'s divestment effort. My emailer notes that the remarkable part of the piece is that it is one of the lone examples in what could be construed as an official Presbyterian publication that actually presents an argument against divestment - they are usually just one-sided indoctrination efforts.
The article starts on page 35 and each essay is only about 3 short pages. The pro-Divestment position is penned by Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel who seems to be one of the central foot-soldiers in the divestment effort. His piece includes such whoppers as arguing that the separation fence is meant only to protect "settlements," and not Israel proper, and quoting as an authority none other than Jeff Halper, who, it is important to note, pens essays justifying Palestinian terrorism, "The Palestinians' need to resort to terrorism raises questions of fundamental fairness."
Not to be overly-critical, but I was disappointed to see that the anti-Divestment essay is written not by a Presbyterian, but by a Rabbi - thus reinforcing the view that support for Israel is a purely partisan Jewish issue. Couldn't they find a fellow Presbyterian to make the case? I know they're out there.
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, p.44
They don't admit we exist.
Personally I didn't have a problem with Rabbi Barth's participation becuase the target audience is Presbyterian. I see your point, but I was just glad they presented an opposing voice.
There are lots of Presbyterians actively opposed to divestment, they just can't get into print in Presbyterian publications.
See: Presbyterians Concerned for Jewish Christian Relations.
www.pcjcr.org
Presbyterians Denouncing Divestment
http://home.comcast.net/~jat.action/index.htm#PCUSA-Denounce1
over 1,500 Presbyterian who oppose divestment have signed a petition at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/pcusa4/petition.html