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Weblog commented on the report published by the Institute on Religion and Democracy

The National Council of Churches released a statement about its meeting with Jewish leaders, saying "The meeting addressed perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how the Christian and Jewish communities in the U.S. can work together to advance peace."

The NCC also criticized John Leo of U.S. News & World Report for an article on the Presbyterian divestment plan.

The Presbyterian (USA) News Service has an article about the decision to divest.

The statement from the House of Bishops for the Episcopal Church says they will look into the issue and seek a greater understanding.

The Reform Jewish Movement condemned Presbyterians for meeting with the terrorist group Hezbollah.

News elsewhere on divesting from Israel and the meeting between Presbyterians and Jewish groups include:

Protestants consider divestment because of Israeli policies | The idea has floated around for years on the fringes of the Middle East debate: Opponents of Israeli policy in the Palestinian territories should divest from companies doing business there. Now, the concept is gaining ground in the heart of American Protestantism (Associated Press, Oct. 30, 2004)

Progress, Problems On Divestment | Jews, Protestants to travel to Israel together—but they can't agree on a statement condemning terrorism. (New York Jewish Week, NY, Oct 27, 2004)

Presbyterian leaders denounce members' Hezbollah visit | Leaders of the Louisville-based Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are distancing themselves from a church-funded delegation's visit to the Hezbollah organization in Lebanon, calling it "misguided, at best." (Louisville Courier Journal, Oct 23, 2004)

Pittsburgh Presbyterian elder scored for remarks in meeting with Hezbollah | Church delegate on fact-finding mission in Middle East (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 22, 2004)

US churches, Jews dialogue on Israel | This week, a delegation of Jewish officials met in Washington with Middle East policy officials from the Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and Orthodox churches in a first-of-its-kind interfaith meeting focused primarily on Israel. (Jerusalem Post, Israel, Oct 21, 2004)

Presbyterian Church May Pressure Israel | The head of a visiting U.S. Presbyterian Church delegation called on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories and said Monday that his church is studying the possibility of withholding investments to increase pressure on Israel. (Associated Press, Oct 18, 2004)

Episcopal Church May Probe Israel Business | An Episcopal committee angered Jewish leaders Friday by recommending that the church research taking action against companies involved in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. (Associated Press, Oct. 1, 2004)

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December 2004, Vol. 48, No. 12