This note has just come to us from Kathleen Eschen-Pipes, a Presbyterian Minister in Santa Cruz, CA

Yet another Israeli group comes out in support of selective divestment. Best known for its work to support conscientious objectors, New Profile seeks to civil-ize Israeli society.

Peace, Salaam, Shalom,

Kathleen

[2-28-05]

New Profile Supports Selective Divestment

New Profile Policy on Divestment

"We, a group of feminist women and men, are convinced that we need not live in a soldiers' state. Today, Israel is capable of a determined peace politics. It need not be a militarized society. We are convinced that we ourselves, our children, our partners, need not go on being endlessly mobilized, need not go on living as warriors. We understand that the state of war in Israel is maintained by decisions made by politicians--not by external forces to which we are passively subject. While taught to believe that the country is faced by threats beyond its control, we now realize that the words "national security" have often masked calculated decisions to choose military action for the achievement of political goals."

[The opening paragraph of the New Profile Charter, www.newprofile.org]

New Profile aims to transform Israel from a highly militaristic society to a civilian society dedicated to equality of gender and ethnicity and firmly based on universal human rights.

One of several characteristics of militarism is the use of force to obtain political objectives. New Profile deems Israel's occupation of the Palestinians to be a use of force to obtain the political objective of creating the 'greater Israel.'

New Profile opposes the Occupation on three counts:

1. Its destruction of Palestinian life, society, land, and property.

2. Its role in maintaining militarism in Israel.

3. Its erosion of Israel's socio-economic and moral fabric

We therefore seek non-violent means of ending this catastrophic Occupation. One such means is using economic sanctions to pressure the government to change its policy. To this end New Profile welcomes and supports selective divestment aimed at divesting from companies that contribute to the continuation of the Occupation by supplying arms, other equipment, or staff.

We welcome all such endeavors, believing firmly that ending the occupation is not only to the benefit of the Palestinians but also necessary for the welfare of Israel, its youth, and future generations. Over 20,000 Israeli soldiers have died in its wars since 1948. Enough. It is time to beat our swords into ploughshares, to bring security to Israel by giving the Palestinians their freedom and recognizing their absolute right to exist, and to build a future for today's Israeli youth and generations to come by creating a civilian society whose underpinnings are equality of gender and ethnicity and universal human rights.