The Presbyterian Church has been known for its support of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) within Israel, having voted in 2012 to boycott companies, such as Ahava and HaDikalim, producing products within Judea and Samaria.  More recently, the Israel Palestine Mission Network, a working group under the Presbyterian Church’s administrative umbrella, published a pamphlet called “Zionism Unsettled”, vilifying Israel and identifying Zionism as a “pathology” which was poisoning the region and causing the conflict.

Now, however, some leaders within the church are singing a different tune.  Last week, the American Israel Friendship League (AIFL) organized a delegation of Presbyterian leaders to Israel to better understand the situation on the ground.  The AIFL’s mission is to “strengthen the relationships between the American and Israeli people,” and the 14 PCUSA delegates came away with a refreshed perspective on the matter.

Along the way, the delegation visited the much-discussed SodaStream factory in Mishor Adumim, east of Jerusalem.  The factory has been making headlines since actress Scarlett Johansson signed on as global spokeswoman ahead of this year’s Superbowl.  The screen star ended her relationship with Oxfam over the matter.

The PCUSA delegation spoke to representatives from management, as well as employees.  According to Israelnationalnews.com, delegates told representatives from SodaStream that the visit to the factory strengthened their belief that the location of the factory enhances the business and interpersonal relations between the Israelis and Palestinians, and that they will express their support of Israel to the church administration and followers.

Ruby Shamir, Executive Director of AIFL Israel, stated, “These days when there are many voices calling to boycott Israel both in the business and academia regions, it is crucial to bring leaders and influential figures to change these ideas and to help form a positive and supportive opinion about Israel. This is yet another step towards the mission of the AIFL which is to strengthen the relationships between the American and Israeli people.”

These delegates join other voices within the PCUSA that reject the General Assembly’s position on Israel.  Following the publication of “Zionism Unsettled”, Rev. Mike Cole, a Houston-area Presbyterian leader, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “My first response to my friends in the Jewish community with whom I associate on a monthly basis in a Jewish-Presbyterian dialogue group is to assure them that this does not represent even close to a majority opinion.”

Rev. Katharine Rhodes Henderson, president of New York’s Auburn Theological Seminary, added that “this document purports to be about love, but it actually expresses demonization, distortion and imbalance.”