moral investments end the occupation

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It’s time to re-frame our discussion of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.

This is not an ancient struggle between two peoples who simply cannot get along.

It is a struggle about land.

It’s about the transformation of the Holy Land, where ancient ways of life are still preserved…

….into an endless sea of settlements, shopping centers and industrial zones for the use of one ethnic group alone.

This conflict is about driving Palestinians out of the Holy Land or confining them in ghettos, and about a people’s right to resist.

This is a takeover of land and water by one

ethnic group at the expense of all others.

This is a takeover of land and water by one group at the expense of all others.

•

2000 Camp David After Completion of the Wall

19671947 UN Partition

It’s about the willful destruction of Palestine and the dispossession of her people

But most of all, it’s about profits.

The Israeli/Palestinian conflict is sustained by the flow of weapons and materials to Israel from companies around the world.

• Companies provide money to Congress, which gives our tax dollars to Israel. Israel then buys weapons and products from these companies.

AIPAC: America’s Pro-Israel Lobby

_____________________

The Israeli lobby gives money to Congress, then tells it how to vote on appropriations bills and symbolic statements supporting Israel.

These groups often take Members of Congress on all-expense-paid propaganda trips to Israel.

Christian Zionist Groups also lobby, and many give money to members of Congress based on their support for Israel’s policies.

Christian Action for Israel International Christian Embassy

Christians United for Israel Catholic Friends of Israel

Love of Israel Project FIRA Eagles’ Wings

Christian Friends of Israeli Communities

Batallions of Deborah Bridges for Peace

Israel Christian Nexus Christians Standing with Israel

Role of Christian Zionism

For example, Congress recently congratulated Israel on the annexation of East Jerusalem, which the international community has never recognized because it is illegal.

It is illegal to annex territory acquired through war. It violates the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and at least six UN resolutions.

The Fourth Geneva Convention forbids an occupying power from moving its own population into territory it occupies. Israel has moved 462,000 settlers into Arab East Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank.

UN Security Council Resolution 242, approved by the United States, affirms the inadmissability of the acquisition of territory by force.

These actions are felt far beyond Washington, DC.

“In April, 2004, the Bush Administration formally recognized Israel`s settlement blocs - Israel`s annexation of these settlement blocs was subsequently approved almost unanimously by Congress: in the House by a vote of 407-9, in the Senate by 95-3.” (Israeli Jeff Halper)

This reversed years of US government policy, which had regarded the settlements as illegal.

What happened?

Settlement Construction Took Off!

Growth in West Bank settler population

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

400000

1972 1977 1985 1992 1996 1999 2001 2003 2005 2005 *

* Settlers in West Bank including East Jerusalem, which is also occupied land.

450,000 ________________________________________________________

500,000

2007*

Construction crews worked round the clock

New settlements appeared on hilltops

And in valleys

They are forever changing the landscape of Palestine.

Settlements are subsidized with US tax dollars.

And by Israel’

And with Israeli dollars

How does this happen?

The US gives Israel about $3 billion each year, which frees up other money for settlements. Prohibitions on using our tax dollars for settlement construction are meaningless. Our $ makes this possible.

A 2005 Israeli study proved government support for

outposts.

The study, called the Sasson Report, concluded:

• The housing ministry supplied 400 mobile homes for outposts on private Palestinian land

• The defense ministry approved the positioning of trailers to begin new outposts

• The education ministry paid for nurseries and their teachers

• The energy ministry connected outposts to the electricity grid

• Roads to outposts were paid for with taxpayers' money

Most of the other land in the West Bank settlements are built on was confiscated by Israel as “state land" during the years since 1967. It also belongs to Palestinians.

In 2005, there were 12,800 new illegal settlers in the West Bank.

In 2006, the Settler Population in the West Bank grew by more than 15,000 --- at a rate 3 times that of the population inside Israel.

There are more than 205 Settlements in the West Bank

There are 2.4 million Palestinians living In the West Bank. There are 462,000 settlers living among them. That means one fifth of the West Bank’s population is now Jewish.

About one fifth of the population of Israel is Palestinian (1.2 million out of 6 million).

Two peoples are interspersed throughout the area, with

- Different rights,

- Different restrictions on movement

- Different water allocation.

Each Settlement Means:

Home Demolitions

Agricultural Demolitions

Destroyed Dreams for Palestinians

More Israeli-only highways

Adding to the 700 kilometers of Israeli-only roads in the West Bank (scroll down)

More demand for construction equipment

Palestinian Road

Israeli Road

Destruction of Palestinian Roads

More Checkpoints

Checkpoints are barriers manned

by soldiers/border police, used to

control pedestrian/vehicul

ar access.

Most checkpoints are between Palestinian towns and villages.

More than 500 checkpoints separate Palestinian villages from each other. Most are inside the West Bank.

Checkpoints make life impossible to plan.

Employers never know if their employees will make it to work.

A ten minute trip can take hours.

Settlements mean more walls separating villages from their land.

These walls separate families and neighbors.

There is new construction around every corner.

More settlements mean more walls and fences to protect settlers.

This is the wall around Bethlehem

Built inside Bethlehem, the wall annexes fertile land to Israel

Settlements Mean Less Water for Palestinians:

Israelis get 83% of water from the major West Bank aquifer.Palestinians get 17%.

This Palestinian family had only 6 hours/week of running water in 2004.

Israeli Settlements on Palestinian land have swimming pools and green lawns.

• more weapons,

• transportation networks,

• security systems,

• construction equipment,

• and support services.

Each settlement creates a need for:

Companies we invest in provide these.• ALLIANT TECH SYSTEMS (NYSE:ATK) Rubber-coated bullets.  Fuses for cluster bombs. Guided Multiple Launch

Rocket Systems.

• BLOCKBUSTER (NYSE:BBI) has kiosks in illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

• BOEING (NYSE:BA) Major supplier of the F-15 Eagle and the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.  Missile systems, F-15 software, Apache Helicopters, and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).

• CATERPILLAR (NYSE:CAT) Bulldozers and construction equipment

• CEMENT ROADSTONE HOLDINGS (CRH) (NYSE: CRH)  Cement for the Separation Wall and settlements

• GENERAL DYNAMICS (NYSE:GD) Diesel engine for Israel’s battle tanks.  M60A3 Main Battle Tanks. Equipment for F16 Fighting Falcon Jets.  MK-84 "general purpose" bombs, spares and repair parts

• GENERAL ELECTRIC (NYSE:GE) Propulsion system for Israel's AH-64 Apache Assault Helicopter, engines for a variety of military aircraft, service contracts for engineering support and testing.

• GLOBECOMM SYSTEMS INC (GSI) (New York) (NASDAQ: GCOM) equipment and facilities for communication between all branches of the IDF ground forces. 

• ITT CORPORATION (NYSE:ITT) Intensifier tubes for night vision goggles. Previously provided battlefield communication radios. 

• LOCKHEED MARTIN (NYSE:LMT) is the single biggest overseas supplier for the Israeli armaments industry.  Arms, missile systems and fighter planes.

• MAGAL SECURITY SYSTEMS (NASDAQ:MAGS) Intrusion detection fencing for the separation wall. 

• MOTOROLA (NYSE:MOT) Radar systems for security at settlements. Cell phone communications system for IDF. Fuses for weapons. Has cell phone towers in the settlements.

• NORTHROP GRUMMAN (NYSE:NOC) F-16I Sufa (‘Storm') aircraft radar, fire control radar and the Hellfire Missile for Apache helicopters. 

• OSHKOSH TRUCK CORPORATION mobility tactical trucks for the Israeli Military; more than 900 armor kits for Israel’s Medium Tactical Vehicles.

• RAYTHEON (NYSE:RTN) Patriot, Sparrow, Sidewinder, Maverick and TOW missiles. 

• SILICON GRAPHICS (SGI) (NASDAQ:SGIC) Visual system training for Israeli Air Force F-15 and F-16 pilots. Graphics system for Helicopter Aircrew Weapon Systems Trainer. 

• TEREX (NYSE:TEX) Medium tactical trucks and logistical support to the Israeli army.  Trucks used by the Israeli army to mount artillery systems. Mobile floodlight towers. Construction cranes. Training, service and spare parts.

• UNITED TECHNOLOGIES (NYSE:UTX) Blackhawk helicopters, engines for Israel’s F-15 and F-16 aircraft, fleet management of these engines.

• VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT (NYSE:VE) Partner in a new $500 million light rail system designed to link Jerusalem to the illegal settlements of the occupied West Bank.  Contract to operate the system for the next 30 years.

• VOLVO (NASDAQ:VOLV) Bulldozers and construction equipment.

These companies either:

1. have a presence on occupied land, 2. support the occupation infrastructure (wall, settlements, checkpoints) or 3. provide the Israeli military with weapons or equipment used against Palestinians

in the occupied territories.

Let’s look at these one at a time.

ALLIANT TECH SYSTEMS (NYSE:ATK) Supplies the Israeli Occupation Forces with:

Rubber-coated steel bullets,

Fuses for cluster bombs,

Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

A wounded Israeli protester

Alliant’s rubber coated bullets kill and maim peaceful protesters, shepherds, and children.                                                    

BLOCKBUSTER (NYSE:BBI)

Has kiosks in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land. These help provide a sense of permanence to settlers. Blockbuster has been informed the settlements are illegal and refuses to remove its presence in them.

Blockbuster

Has kiosks in at least 3 illegalsettlements on Palestinian land

BOEING (NYSE:BA)

Major supplier to Israeli Occupation Forces of the

F-15 Eagle F-15 software AH-64 Apache attack helicoptersMissile systems, and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM)

A US-supplied Boeing Apache helicopter gunship fires at Palestinian

houses in the West Bank City of Nablus, April 7, 2002.

Photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters

CATERPILLAR (NYSE:CAT)

Sells bulldozers and construction equipment to the Israeli military under the Foreign Military Sales Program. These are used to destroy homes and uproot orchards in the occupied territories.

Caterpillar is also working with an Israeli company, InRob Tech, to produce robotized demolition machines that can be used to destroy homes in the occupied territories without endangering a driver

Caterpillar

Destroying homes

Uprooting trees

CEMENT ROADSTONE HOLDINGS (CRH) (NYSE: CRH)  

Owns 25% of Israel’s major cement company, Nesher Cement, which provides material for the Separation Wall, checkpoints and settlements

Nesher Cement, partly owned by CRH, helps build Israel’s wall.

GENERAL DYNAMICS (NYSE:GD)

Makes diesel engine for Israel’s M60A3 Main Battle Tanks, equipment for F16 Fighting Falcon Jets, and MK-84 "general purpose" bombs, spares and repair parts. All of these have been used against Palestinians in the West Bank.

General Dynamics

GLOBECOMM SYSTEMS INC (GSI) (New York) (NASDAQ: GCOM)

Sells Israel equipment and facilities for communication between all branches of the IDF ground forces. These are the forces that enforce the occupation.

Globecomm Systems

ITT CORPORATION (NYSE:ITT)

Sells Israel intensifier tubes for night vision goggles. Many Israeli attacks on Palestinian villages take place at night when people are sleeping. ITT previously provided battlefield communication radios to the Israeli army. 

ITT Industries

An Israeli soldier checks his night vision equipment at an Israeli army base in the Jewish settlement of Avnei Hefetz in March, 2002. AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS

LOCKHEED MARTIN (NYSE:LMT)

is the single biggest overseas supplier for the Israeli armaments industry.  It supplies Israeli occupation forces with arms, missile systems and fighter planes.

Lockheed Martin

MAGAL SECURITY SYSTEMS (NASDAQ:MAGS)

Provides intrusion detection fencing for the “separation wall,” which annexes about 15 % of the West Bank to Israel.

Magal Security Systems

MOTOROLA (NYSE:MOT)

1.Provides radar systems for security at settlements deep inside the West Bank.

2.Provides cell phone communications system for Israeli Occupation Forces.

3.Provides fuses for Israeli weapons.

4.Has cell phone towers in the settlements.

Motorola

IAI

NORTHROP GRUMMAN (NYSE:NOC)

Provides Israel with F-16I Sufa (‘Storm') aircraft radar, fire control radar and the Hellfire Missile for Apache helicopters. 

Northrop Grumman

OSHKOSH TRUCK CORPORATION

(NYSE: OSK)

Provides mobility tactical trucks for the Israeli military, more than 900 armor kits for Israel’s Medium Tactical Vehicles.

Oshkosh

             .

RAYTHEON (NYSE:RTN)

Provides Israel with Patriot, Sparrow, Sidewinder, Maverick and TOW missiles, which have been used against Palestinians in the occupied territories. 

        Photo: Vought

Raytheon

SILICON GRAPHICS (SGI) (NASDAQ:SGIC)

Provides visual system training for Israeli Air Force F-15 and F-16 pilots.

Provides graphics system for Israel’s Helicopter Aircrew Weapon Systems Trainer. 

Silicon Graphics

TEREX (NYSE:TEX)

Provides medium tactical trucks and logistical support to the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). 

Provides trucks used by the IOF to mount artillery systems.

Provides mobile floodlight towers which can be used for nightime construction.

Provides Israel with construction cranes which are used for building settlements and the wall.

Provides training, service and spare parts to the IOF.

Terex

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES (NYSE:UTX)

Provides Blackhawk helicopters, engines for Israel’s F-15 and F-16 aircraft, and fleet management of these engines.

United Technologies

VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT (NYSE:VE) 

Partner in a new $500 million light rail system designed to link Jerusalem to the illegal settlements of the occupied West Bank.  Has contract to operate the system for the next 30 years.

Veolia Environnement

Connecting the settlements to Jerusalem

VOLVO (NASDAQ:VOLV)

Provides bulldozers and construction equipment used to destroy Palestinian homes and build new settlements.

Volvo

Impact of Occupation on Israel

• 1.6 million Israelis lived in poverty last year.

• The military sector is expanding and profiting while the domestic economy suffers.

• Generals and politicians get involved with American companies and retire rich.

• Many see a moral decline.

• Since 1998, US has phased out its support for Israel’s domestic needs while increasing military support. Today, all US aid to Israel goes to the military.

Impact of Occupation on Palestinians

• Impossible to plan daily life• Interminable waits at checkpoints.• Difficulty getting to hospitals, doctors, work• Frequency of attacks on homes, schools,

businesses, even hospitals. • Constant fear and humiliation.• Desperate water shortages.• Arrest of loved ones; imprisonment without trial. • Loss of homes and agricultural land• Loss of hope.• For many, loss of faith in nonviolent resistance.

This endangers Israelis!

It also endangers Americans.

The entire Arab world knows that the United States is paying for this ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their land. This creates enormous hatred toward us.

People in other countries know more about the US role in undermining the democratically elected Palestinian government than Americans do. This damages our credibility when we call for democracy in other parts of the world. It erodes respect for our country around the globe!

What can we do?

It’s time to turn words into

ACTION.

It’s time for

DIVESTMENT

Divestment can do many things:

(1) It can raise the level of awareness about how profitable Israel’s occupation has become for companies around the world. (2) It can ensure that we as investors are not profiting from this. (3) It can put companies on notice that their support for Israel’s occupation may turn away investors.

(4) It can stimulate public discussion about the realities of occupation, which have largely been hidden from Americans,

and can lay the groundwork for changing US policy.

(5) It can provide hope to Palestinians who see their freedom denied every day.

(6) It can show the world that we believe in the equality of all God’s children, and our faith requires our commitment to justice, peace.

What Selective Divestment is NOT: It is NOT divestment from Israel.

It is NOT divestment from Israeli companies.

It is NOT divestment from companies that do business in Israel.

What Selective Divestment IS:It IS a decision not to profit from Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land. It involves divesting ONLY from specific companies that play a documented role in this occupation. It’s a way of stating we will not make money from practices that violate our basic values and beliefs. Every investor has that right.

Step-by-StepDivestment Guide

1. Educate your organization’s members about the occupation.

Invite speakers who have been to the occupied territories. If possible, include Jewish speakers who oppose occupation or DVDs by people like Anna Baltzer (www.annainthemiddleeast.com).

Provide statements from Jewish people and organizations condemning the occupation.This is critical! These are available at

www.unitedmethodistdivestment.com

2. Learn which companies support the occupation.

A good source: www.interfaithpeaceinitiative.com

Also check www.unitedmethodistdivestment.com and www.neumc.org/divest.

A good Israeli site: http://www.whoprofits.org/

3. Examine your organization’s portfolio to identify the companies supporting occupation that are in its holdings.

Organizations may be pension funds, foundations or other entities that invest on behalf of your group.

4. Make a list of specifics including number of shares, purchase

price, current value, and profits.

5. Add up these profits to determine how much your organization has earned from the occupation through these investments. Publicize this information within your group.

6. Review your organization’s guidelines on investment.

Make a list of any that are relevant…..ie., those that preclude investment in firms that violate

human rights, or firms that make weapons or military equipment.

7. Draw up a letter or petition to the investment managers asking for withdrawal of the organization’s funds from companies supporting Israel’s occupation.

We prepared a sample letter and asked individual clergy to send letters to the board asking for a change inpolicy.

8. Find out if any companies you identified are already on your organization’s list of prohibited investments.

In the Methodist case, we found 3 companies that are on the “Do not invest list” maintained by the Pension Board. Publicize this.

9. Meet with the Foundation or Pension Board to see if they will consider

withdrawing these investments.

If the answer is no, send a letter to all your members with the meeting results, the list of your investments that profit from the

occupation, and a call to action. Publicize your findings through press releases, articles, etc. Introduce resolutions.

10. Publicize whatever you do. Even if it’s just a committee that approves

divestment or calls for divestment, get publicity for this.

Hajo Meyer, an Auschwitz survivor, has written:

“…there's only one way to call Israel to order. That is, by a strict regime of boycott, disinvestment and sanctions from all nations…”

Many Jewish Israelis are joining in this call.

…as are people of every faith around the world.

Together we can end Israel’s occupation

and bring about a just, lasting peace for all.