Canadian Church Makes Historic Vote
Thomas Woodley, President, CJPME
Volume 26 Issue 7, 8 & 9 | Posted: September 17, 2012
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is delighted to announce that the United Church of Canada (UCC) voted earlier today to boycott products from Israel’s illegal colonies (a.k.a. “settlements.”) CJPME was present at the Church Convention, and had been speaking with (and distributing information) to church delegates attending the convention since Saturday. This vote, and related church resolutions represent a significant and exciting step forward for the boycott movement in Canada.
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is delighted to announce that the United Church of Canada (UCC) voted earlier today to boycott products from Israel’s illegal colonies (a.k.a. “settlements.”) CJPME was present at the Church Convention, and had been speaking with (and distributing information) to church delegates attending the convention since Saturday. This vote, and related church resolutions represent a significant and exciting step forward for the boycott movement in Canada.
The vote today solidified broad support within the church for Palestinian human rights. CJPME representatives found church convention delegates to be highly informed on the issue of Israel-Palestine. Many of the church delegates had been to Israel-Palestine, and had observed first-hand the human rights abuses against Palestinians. The UCC resolution echoes similar motions passed by Presbyterian and Methodist churches in recent months in the United States.
The resolution, however, was not without its powerful opponents. The pro-Israel lobby was also active at the church convention, as evidenced by the presence of the “Centre for Israel and Jewish Advoacy” (CIJA), and “Faithful Witness,” a Christian Zionist organization.
The United Church of Canada (UCC) has been considering some type of economic action in support of Palestinian human rights for several years. CJPME supported this direction within the church as actively as it could, both formally and informally. For example, in 2011, CJPME leaders met with the UCC Working Group on Israel-Palestine and challenged the church to act on its deep knowledge of the human rights abuses suffered by the Palestinians.
CJPME and the other Solidarity organizations active on the UCC file have much to celebrate through this vote. CJPME members and supporters have much to be proud of. May the momentum from this vote carry on to other boycott issues, organizations and companies in the coming months and years in Canada.
Thomas Woodley
President, CJPME
Thomas Woodley, President, CJPME