Today in Camera: Confusing Cause and Effect
It’s no secret that the dialogue within the American Presbyterian Church is problematic for American Jews, not so much Israel—which will continue doing what it does best, inventing things that all people need.
However, there was a vote the other day, on whether the Church should divest itself of stocks that do business with Israel—which for many people, such as Warren Buffett, means that some stocks could become bargains. Shopping time. The measure was defeated by two votes.
However, another measure passed, which is to boycott all products produced in the West Bank, and hope that none of those products, such as medicine, might save your life. This vote passed 457-180. Here’s how Camera explains it:
This overture, which passed with a vote of 457 to 180, was approved after Noushin Framke, a prominent anti-Israel activist in the PC(USA) was asked to speak to the assembly by the people moderating the event. Framke told the assembly that Peter Beinart, an American Zionist Jew who is offended by Israeli policies in the West Bank, supports such boycotts.
So if Ms. Framke didn’t speak, didn’t cite Beinart, the measure would have failed? I don’t think so. If the focus is on Framke, then someone got to the barn after the horses ran away. Maybe some intervention needed to take place sooner. This would be more productive than blaming Framke for the results of the vote.
p.s. Just because I provided the link doesn’t mean you have to use it.