Laurie Goodstein in The New York Times:
After passionate debate over how best to help break the deadlock between Israel and the Palestinians, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted on Friday at its general convention to divest from three companies that it says supply Israel with equipment used in the occupation of Palestinian territory.
The vote, by a count of 310 to 303, was watched closely in Washington and Jerusalem and by Palestinians as a sign of momentum for a movement to pressure Israel to stop building settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and end the occupation, with a campaign known as B.D.S., for Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions.
Heath Rada, the church’s moderator, who was leading the proceedings, said solemnly immediately after the electronic vote count was posted, “In no way is this a reflection for our lack of love for our Jewish sisters and brothers.”