London, England - A council of the worldwide Anglican Communion urged member churches to pressure companies linked to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, including possibly withdrawing investments.
The Anglican Consultative Council unanimously approved a resolution asking the 38 national churches to see that companies they invest in support neither Israeli occupation nor Palestinian violence against innocent Israelis.
The council welcomed a report that criticized Israel's conduct and expressed sympathy for Palestinians living under "draconian conditions" of occupation.
"Israel, with the complicity of the United States, seems determined to flaunt international law," the report charged, adding that occupation "foments the violence and fuels the conflict."
The report also urged withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, to be replaced with United Nations troops.
Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said his nation was troubled by the resolution, "which is extremely one-sided and out of touch with the realities on the ground."
"Moves towards divestment represent a flawed and disastrous course," said Rabbi Barry Marcus, a spokesman for Britain's Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks. "They will do nothing to advance the twin causes of security for Israel and statehood for the Palestinians."
The Anglican council commended to other Anglican branches the U.S. Episcopal Church's stand against investments that support Israeli occupation. It also encouraged investments "that support the infrastructure of a future Palestinian state."
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the 77 million Anglicans, supported the resolution.