BETHLEHEM, May 12, 2012 (WAFA) - Kairos Palestine commended the United Methodist Church (UMC) resolution to call upon all nations not to import goods from all Israeli companies “operating in the occupied Palestinian territories,” said a statement by Kairos Palestine released on Saturday.

It said UMC took the resolution during its General Conference on May 2 in US calling for an explicit boycott of Israeli companies operating in the occupied Territory, a definition that consciously implies the majority of Israeli businesses.

Kairos Palestine praised UMC’s steps toward the defence of Palestinian rights and peace with justice.

The UMC reiterated its support for and solidarity with Kairos Palestine group and its document, “A Moment of Truth,” as well as its call for nonviolent resistance, including but not limited to boycott actions, towards ending the illegal Israeli occupation because of its systematic human rights violations, and its historical defiance of international law, added the statement.

Kairos Palestine applaud the UMC for raising  awareness through its support for a boycott despite the fact that UMC did not vote for divestment from three U.S. companies that are collaborate with the Israeli occupation.

“We also recognize that, despite the General Conference’s decision to vote against divestment, four regional UMC conferences have adopted divestment resolutions, and Kairos Palestine likewise commends these initiatives,” said the statement.

Kairos Palestine stressed its trust that the international community is becoming increasingly aware of these corporations’ complicity with Israeli violations of human rights.

R.Q.