Invest In Peace

I’m writing as an Israeli Jew and a Canadian citizen who is very concerned about what is happening in the Middle East to express my support for United Methodist proposals to divest from companies that support Israel’s occupation.

I was raised up on a kibbutz and since my childhood I have always heard talk about peace. Over 50 years have passed and talk about peace continues among Israelis and Jews but I have grown very apprehensive about it. When I look at the actions of the Israeli Government and many of its citizens, I see these actions pushing away any possibility of peace and reconciliation.

I am in a constant search for peaceful ways to end this tragedy. United Methodist divestment from companies supporting the occupation is a nonviolent way to bring hope to the region. I hope that this divestment action will help open the eyes of the Israeli people and their government. It is true that the Palestinians and the neighboring countries are the main population to suffer from this situation, but also Israel is suffering and is creating a dangerous society that is lacking many basic humanistic policies.

It is true that in the past the church has done wrong to the Jewish people. Now it is your chance to do right. Don’t let the mistakes of the past create more mistakes. Your church has the opportunity NOW to act and pass a motion that can become an important stepping stone in stopping the blood bath and injustice and bring a just peace to a troubled land.

Greetings,

Smadar Carmon