GAMC comments on ‘apartheid’
label, Kairos Palestine document
By Edward Terry, The Layman, May 17, 2010
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) has added its commentary to the contentious Israel-Palestine debate.
On May 14, the same day it announced layoffs in its national office due to decreased giving, the GAMC approved two controversial actions items from its Justice Committee. Both place GAMC-endorsed comments on overtures to this summer’s General Assembly (GA) related to the Israel-Palestine issue.
Kairos Palestine
The first action, which was approved by voice vote, lifts up the “A Moment of Truth,” also known as “Kairos Palestine,” document as an advocacy tool for the GA. The comment encourages Presbyterians to study it, and takes note of its use in the “Breaking Down Walls” report on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“The document reflects a theological, spiritual and missiological stance, and reaches out from their profound chronic pain and their tenacious affirmation of love,” the approved comment said. “It communicates the truth they live, the hope they breathe and the faith that sustains them.”
Critics of Kairos Palestine, which was written by Palestinian Christians, claim it denies any connection between Biblical covenants and Israel, and places blame for the conflict on Israel.
According to the PCUSA’s Middle East study team, which will recommend that the GA also endorse it this summer, Kairos Palestine emphasizes “hope, love, non-violence and reconciliation.” The Kairos Palestine document, which models a document written by churches in South Africa during apartheid, also calls for economic boycott against and divestment of Israel – strategies that likely will be debated at this summer’s GA as well.
During debate on the comment, GAMC member Steve Aeschbacher said it reads like advocacy.
“It’s pulling on our emotions in a way that most of our comments don’t,” he said. “I’m just wondering if that’s wise.”
Declaring Israel policy ‘apartheid’
Though some members disagreed, the GAMC approved a comment on San Francisco Presbytery’s overture that calls on the GA to recognize that Israel’s laws, policies and practices against the Palestinians constitutes apartheid.
The approved-comment says that the overture “accurately describes” the situation and its impact on the Palestinians. It also notes that the GA has never used the term “apartheid” in the Israel-Palestine issue, and that commissioners will have to judge for themselves on the label.
“In any case, the situation itself cries out for deeper and more serious engagement (with both those who disagree with us and others), study, prayer and advocacy,” the GAMC statement said.
Still, there are concerns by members of the GAMC that the use of the word “apartheid” can be inflammatory. The hope of the council is that GA commissioners will look closely at the word and information accompanying the overture before deciding.
At both a GAMC session and Justice Committee meeting, Carroll Jenkins, of the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns, made a comparison between the Afrikaans word “apartheid” and the Hebrew word “hafrada,” which Israel uses to describe its policy regarding the Palestinians. Both words mean “separation,” he said, and GA commissioners would be provided a background resource with that information.
“We’re trying to cut through the inflammation that takes place when you throw that term (apartheid) out there,” Jenkins said in a Justice Committee meeting.
GAMC members Clark Cowden and Aeschbacher said the comment seems more like an advocacy committee statement. Aeschbacher also questioned whether there should even be a comment from the GAMC on this issue.
Because the GAMC has mission partners in the region, GAMC Vice Chairman Michael Kruse said it would be appropriate to comment and the issue has an impact on its work.
The overture comment was amended to include a statement about concerns of some GAMC members over the use of the word, and then approved in a 19-5 vote.
