Letter to Congress Sent Regarding the Right to Use Economic Measures
12 Christian organizations, including Global Ministries, sent a letter to all members of Congress calling on them to oppose the “Israel Anti-Boycott Act” included in S.1 and mentioned in H.Res. 246 passed earlier in 2019.
The letter also includes support for H.Res. 496, “Affirming that all Americans have the right to participate in boycotts in pursuit of civil and human rights at home and abroad, as protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution” and urges its passing. As the letter states, “It [H.Res. 496] is fully consistent with our faith values and church policies and, we believe, with our Constitutional rights, to use our economic leverage in support of peace and justice any- and everywhere, including in the context of Israel/Palestine.
The letter continues on to voice concerns about unilateral actions taken by the United States “to undermine the possibility of a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, punish Palestinians living under military occupation and refugees, and further diminish the quest for peace, justice, and equality for the people there.”
Signatories to the letter are American Friends Service Committee, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mennonite Church USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy – Church of the Brethren, Pax Christi USA, Presbyterian Church (USA), and The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society.