In the 1980s, many of us believed that nonviolent action aimed at divesting large institutions from "multinationals implicated in documented human rights abuses" was a powerful and moral way forward. We worked hard to do this--in relation to South Africa and companies profiting from Apartheid. I always felt that the intent then (as it is must be now) was to assist South Africa, to save South Africa from moral ruin and destruction. There was a fair bit of hubris in this, no doubt. But divestment put enormous pressure on the South African regime (in the spirit of nonviolent action and collaboration)--and South Africa evolved, emerged and expanded its democratic vision.
I'd like to think that the intent now is similar: to work through available nonviolent strategies, to do right with our economic and institutional resources, and to put enormous pressure on the ideology and practice of occupation. Clearly, the present path is leading to dangerous conflict, even more of it, with devastating implications for dear people on all sides. Clearly, Palestinian leaders are asking our churches, our institutions for this kind of help. And clearly, the imbalance of power requires some kind of leverage beyond the ordinary day-to-day conversations of leaders.
I wonder if the debate triggered by Presbyterian collective action might open up an even larger one about nonviolence, economic power and moral responsibility. The first of two perspectives here offers keen insights into the dynamics of nonviolent collective action. Are we serious abut changing the world? Are we willing to suffer the consequences?
From the Tikkun Daily Blog: "Let us also remember that the Presbyterian resolution does not call for divestment from the State of Israel, from Israeli companies, from individual Israelis or even from Jewish-owned companies. Rather the resolution calls for divestment from three American multinationals implicated in documented human rights abuses."
Two Perspectives on Presbyterian Divestment from U.S. Multinationals that Sustain the Occupation
