Quakers divest from companies which ‘profit from occupation of Palestine’
British Jewish leaders condemn the religious group's 'appalling' decision to severe ties to firms operating in the West Bank
Jewish leaders have slammed the “appalling” decision of the Quakers to divest of companies “profiting from the occupation of Palestine”.
The church – honoured this month for its role in rescuing thousands of Jewish children fleeing Nazi Europe on the Kindertransport 80 years ago – even appeared to link its decision to the ethical stance taken against the slave trade.
Quakers in Britain – also known as the Religious Society of Friends – announced they were boycotting settlement goods in 2011, but at the time said divestment and sanctions were not being considered.
However, at this week’s yearly meeting of trustees, who manage a £25 million investment portfolio, church leaders said they had a “moral duty” to take a stand, more than half a century after Israeli forces first took control of the West Bank.
“With the occupation now in its 51st year and with no end in near sight, we believe we have a moral duty to state publicly that we will not invest in any company profiting from the occupation,” said recording clerk Paul Parker.
“We know this decision will be hard for some to hear. We hope they will understand that our beliefs compel us to speak out about injustices wherever we see them in the world, and not to shy away from difficult conversations.”
In 2014 the church urged the British government to recognise the State of Palestine, end arms sales to Israel, lobby Israel to end the blockade of Gaza, and help free Palestinian prisoners.
Reacting to news of the divestment this week, Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said the decision showed the “obsessive and tunnel-vision approach that a narrow clique of church officials have taken in recent years”.
She accused the Quakers of “feeding a one-sided diet of propaganda,” adding: “While other churches have reached out to the Jewish community at this time of rising antisemitism and polarisation… the Quaker leadership has chosen to import a divisive conflict into our country, rather than export the peace we all want to see.”
On its website, the church said its decision “fits into a long Quaker history of pursuing ethical investments” and “follows decisions not to invest funds in, among others, the fossil fuel industry, arms companies, Apartheid South Africa, and… the transatlantic slave trade”.
The Council of Christians and Jews also criticised the decision, saying: “It is not easy to understand the purpose of the Quaker statement on divestment from ‘companies profiting from the occupation of Palestine’, since the Quaker community does not invest in any companies in the region. We note also that the Quaker community is not seeking to divest from any other current conflict in the world.”
They add that the Quakers’ position “does not acknowledge the injustices suffered by Palestinians and Israelis. Rather than choosing one narrative over another, we need to support Israelis and Palestinians equally in seeking a peaceful solution to this conflict.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
