Effective immediately, the publication Zionism Unsettled, will no longer be sold on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) website.
Last week in Detroit, the 221st General Assembly passed a resolution declaring that the booklet Zionism Unsettled “does not represent the views of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).”
The Israel-Palestine Mission Network, which produced the booklet, may continue to sell and distribute it through other channels.
“We need to keep our focus on supporting and communicating the decisions of the General Assembly,” said the Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. “And responding to a recent increase in feedback about the book is impacting our ability to do that.”
"We support the decision of the General Assembly regarding divestment in its effort for peacemaking in Israel-Palestine, and are hearing from those within the denomination who support it,” said Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. “We are also hearing from church leaders expressing pain and frustration over the divestment decision and its impact on interfaith relations.”
The General Assembly actions include directives for the PC(USA) to
- reaffirm Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign nation within secure and internationally recognized borders;
- declare its commitment to a two-state solution;
- divest from three American companies whose activities conflict with church investment policy; and
- reaffirm the church’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and partnerships.
We are praying for continued conversation and reconciliation within the church and for its witness to a just peace for all people in Israel-Palestine.