May 2nd, 2008
As a United Methodist who has traveled through Israel and much of Occupied
Palestine, I support morally responsible investment in those companies which
support human rights for all. Many Palestinians who are being increasingly
oppressed and suppressed are also Christians, the descendants of the
original converts to Christianity by Christ’s Disciples. Why U.S. and other
western governments and companies deliberately support oppression of
Palestinians of ALL faiths is criminal and not consistent with my faith and
understanding of God as I understand God.
–
Doug Sibley
Martinez, CA
May 1st, 2008
Israel is not only a country and a territory, it is (was) above all a
concept: a safe haven for the Jews. Unfortunately Israel does not function
any more as such, due to years of wrong politics. The basic mistake was (is)
to invest in military force and apartheid, in stead of collaboration and
communication as the only real and sustainable ways towards peaceful
coexistence (and therefor an Israel as a safe haven for the Jews). It is
even more sad that companies are profiting from the misery both Palestinians
and Israeli are confronted with. Now after 60 years when so much is lost and
so much is destroyed the only real way forward is to invest even more in
communication, mediation, mutual understanding and empathy. As a Dutch Jew
living in Mexico City living very much in the diaspora I have strong strong
feelings about a safe and just Israel. That is why I really hope politics
will change soon and we can start to invest in peace and divest from
occupation.
Hans Dieleman
Professor in the Autonomous University of Mexico-City
May 1st, 2008
Dear Delegates: My name is Marta and I am Canadian of Christian descent. I am here to urge you to vote for selective divestment from companies that benefit from the Israeli occupation. The Israeli occupation is an immoral and illegal act and to this day, without doubt, the greatest roadblock to peace. As I see how this occupation damages Palestinian children, both physically and psychologically I am truly saddened; as I see how this occupation corrupts and psychologically damages young Israelis I am also truly saddened. It is an occupation that hurst all of us, Christian, Jew, Muslim and I dare say every person on this planet, for its sheer brutality and lack of respect for our fellow man. Each day that this occupation continues we become less humane and move further away from God’s path. We as citizens of this world, can no longer stand aside and say that these issues have nothing to do with us. I believe we all have a moral obligation to do our small part in ending the occupation. I hope you will choose divestment. Marta Roncon (with daughter Sara in picture)Toronto, Canada
May 1st, 2008
Please divest. Include Hamas. Pursue peace with justice.
April 29th, 2008
Please vote for selective divestment from companies that benefit from
the Israeli occupation. The Israeli occupation, which is heavily
supported by the US government is a roadblock to peace in the
region. Supporting divestment is actually pro-Israel, pro-
Palestinian, and pro-peace. It’s the moral and brave thing to do.
As a Jewish woman you have my complete backing in voting for divestment!
Thank you,
Tsela Barr
Madison, Wisconsin
April 27th, 2008
Please vote for selective divestment from companies that benefit from
the Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territory. It is a
powerful, nonviolent way to pressure the Israeli government to end
its illegal occupation. Only when the occupation ends will it be
possible to negotiate a lasting peace between Israelis and
Palestinians, based on equity, fairness, mutual respect and justice
for all the inhabitants of that unhappy region.
I speak as a Jewish-American who loves justice and pursues it.

Evalyn F. Segal, PhD
Professor Emerita, San Diego State University
Residing in Philadelphia PA USA
April 26th, 2008
As an American Jew who has spent significant time in Israel/Palestine, I tell you that the government of Israel’s policy of occupation and apartheid is harming both Palestinians and Israelis. The only way to be “pro-Israeli” - and, at the same time, “pro-Palestinian” - is to demand an immediate end to these policies. Investing in occupation and apartheid is not “pro-Israeli” it is “pro-domination, pro-occupation, pro-human rights abuses.”
Please divest all funding and financial support from Israel’s policies of occupation and Apartheid, as well as from the corporations that support and profit from those policies. Instead, please invest in programs that support nonviolence, conflict resolution, and coexistence, such as the Trees of Reconciliation project. By investing in peace instead of occupation, you will be giving a tremendous gift to all Jews around the world.
Sincerely,
Matthew Taylor
UC Berkeley Peace and Conflict Studies student
April 25th, 2008
As a member of Interfaith Conference for Corporate Responsability I am committed to investing only in those companies which produce life giving and peaceful products.
Please vote for selective divestment from companies that benefit from the occupation. It is the most powerful, nonviolent way we, as Americans, have to pressure the Israeli government to end its occupation. Only through ending the occupation will we have a change for a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Peace and All Good,
Sister Elizabeth
April 25th, 2008
As an Israeli student studying in the US, it is important for me to go
back home as often as I can, to see my friends and family. During my
latest visit, what struck me the most was the contrast between the
peacefulness and calm of life Tel Aviv, and the general atmosphere of
quiet despair. The Israelis that I know are yearning for peace. Some have
been campaigning for it for many years, but the forces that are pushing to
deepen the occupation feel too strong. By divesting you are pointing to a
way out, a route forward that can strengthen those forces within Israeli
society that are working for change. It is deeply offensive to present the
destructive practices of the occupation as containing the essence of
Judaism or Israeliness; your divestment could never honestly be labeled as
antisemitic. I thank you for intervening on behalf of both Israelis and
Palestinians.
April 24th, 2008
It is easy to support “peace” in the Middle East, especially when one is thinking it will, in the end, be on Israeli and American terms. It is as easy to support a future Palestinian state. George W. Bush does and so does Ehud Olmert. But they also believe that if a Palestinian state cannot be postponed indefinitely, it would at least be a non-contiguous emasculated entity, more a dependent autonomous region, rather than an independent entity.
It is not enough to stand for “peace” or a two-state solution. We who believe in human and political rights for all must stand for justice. By divesting from companies that support the Israeli occupation, you take a stand for justice. You say unequivocally, that the Israeli occupation is unjust and that it must stop immediately. You say clearly that you will call an injustice by its name, even if it is politically very difficult to do so.
As an American Jew, I salute you for wrestling with the divestment issue. I encourage you to pass the resolution before you. Actions such as divestment campaigns bring the plight of Palestinians into the light and break the wall of fear and silence that has been built by those who are the backers of occupation.
Ira Glunts
Madison Institute for Peace and Progressivism
Madison, New York
