 
A statement following the Toronto Conference
on Morally Responsible Investment
(October 26 – 29, 2005)
A statement from KAIROS’ Executive Director, November 16,
2005
Morally Responsible Investment
KAIROS was one of over 50 co-sponsors of a conference in Toronto
that explored “Morally Responsible Investment As A Non-Violent
Response To The Illegal Israeli Occupation Of Palestinian Territories.”
The conference followed calls from the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation
Theology Center, in Jerusalem (as well as the World Council of Churches
and others), for churches and other organizations to consider “morally
responsible investment” in the Middle East.
Morally responsible investment, as referred to in the context of
Israel/Palestine, could include a decision by churches and other
organizations not to invest their money in corporations that profit
from Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. Churches are considering
withdrawal of investments (divestment) from corporations such as
U.S. based Caterpillar, which supplies equipment used to bulldoze
houses and olive groves of Palestinians. This is done in retaliation
against communities where Palestinians believed to be involved in
violence against Israel are thought to live.
The conference made it clear that divestment under consideration
by churches does not mean divestment from Israel itself. Morally
responsible investment also includes constructive investment in
Palestine to assist economic development.
KAIROS presently has no position on “morally responsible
investment”. The KAIROS board has asked its International
Human Rights Program Committee to lead KAIROS in exploring this
issue as a means of working for justice and peace in the Middle
East. KAIROS co-sponsorship of the Morally Responsible Investment
conference in Toronto was a step in the board-mandated exploration
process.
Critiques of the Morally Responsible Investment Conference
The conference featured respectful dialogue and informed discussion
of the issues. The conference itself did not issue any statement
or formal consensus of participants with regard to policy issues.
B’nai Brith and some individuals criticized the conference,
claiming that Sabeel, and by extension, supporters of Sabeel, intended
to delegitimize and demonize the state of Israel. These critics
wrote articles in which they implied that Sabeel and KAIROS were
anti-Semitic and anti-Israel. One or more of these articles were
forwarded to Conservative MP Stockwell Day, who subsequently wrote
a letter to CIDA Minister Aileen Carroll and Foreign Affairs Minister
Pierre Pettigrew, questioning whether CIDA should fund KAIROS. Mr.
Day repeated these criticisms in the House of Commons.
KAIROS Executive Director spoke to Mr. Day immediately to express
our concern and clarify that his information was not correct. KAIROS
and CIDA have both stated clearly that CIDA funds were not used
to support the conference.
In a policy statement approved by the KAIROS board in 2002, KAIROS’
position on Palestine and Israel, and the theological basis for
these views are clearly laid out.
KAIROS supports an Israeli state, and recognizes its profound importance
to the Jewish people who have lived through the holocaust and continuing
anti-Semitism.
We also support an independent Palestinian state. KAIROS supports
international law. Under the Fourth Geneva Convention the occupation
is illegal. Moreover, it has led to great suffering and humiliation
of the Palestinian people.
KAIROS promotes a two-state solution that is based on international
law, and a return to the border between Israel and Palestine as
it existed on June 4, 1967. This requires Israel to withdraw from
all occupied territories, and for all violence by Palestinians and
Israelis to cease. The full policy can be viewed on our web site
at: http://www.kairoscanada.org/e/partners/mideast/policy020917.asp.
Critiques of actions by the current Israeli government do not constitute
anti-Semitism, nor do they “delegitmize” the state of
Israel. Israel is a member of the United Nations with the same rights
and responsibilities as all member states to uphold international
law and human rights standards. While Palestinians do not yet have
a recognized state, the Palestinian Authority is morally accountable
to international law and human rights obligations in the lead up
to democratic elections.
Sabeel
The Sabeel Liberation Theology Center has been a partner of KAIROS
for more than five years, and receives financial support from KAIROS
for its women and youth capacity- building programs. These programs
are similar to programs we support in a number of countries.
KAIROS and Sabeel have entered into a partnership because we believe
that we share common goals, objectives, and strategies for peace
in the Middle East.
KAIROS has many partners in Canada and in the global South. KAIROS
does not assume endorsement of every statement or action by any
of our partners, nor do we assume our partners endorse all of our
statements and actions.
If KAIROS judged that Sabeel had any agenda to disparage the Jewish/Israeli
people or to deny them a state within the pre-June 4, 1967 borders,
we would not be in a partnership with them.
Sabeel does not have such an agenda. On the contrary, Sabeel promotes
peaceful co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians, between
Jews, Muslims and Christians. They have worked tirelessly for a
non-violent solution to the conflict and have publicly condemned
terrorism and violence by Israelis and Palestinians.
The Mission of KAIROS
The mission of KAIROS is to live our Christian faith by being a
prophetic voice for justice. KAIROS condemns human rights abuses
in Canada, in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Our
positions relate to particular actions of governments, corporations
and international financial institutions, and are not aligned with
any political party or government in Canada or anywhere in the world.
We pray for peace and justice for Israeli people and Palestinian
people, and for the future of Jerusalem as a holy city for Jews,
Muslims and Christians.
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