WASHINGTON, October 23 (IslamOnline.net) - The Presbyterian Church (USA) has announced plans to implement a recent decision by its General Assembly on divestment from companies operating in Israel and making a profit from activities that harm innocent Palestinians.

"The church will compile a list of multinational companies assisting the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and then make it public," Assembly officials told IslamOnline.net.

During its 26 June-3 July general assembly in Richmond, Virginia, the Presbyterian Church proposed withdrawing investments from firms that do business in Israel.

"We should define a criteria for the companies involved in activities that run counter to the peace process or harm innocent civilians," one church official said, expecting the criteria to be announced in November.

The church, which has its national headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, said the recent decision was motivated by several appeals from Palestinian Christians suffering under the yoke of the Israeli occupation.

"These actions are rooted in a longstanding commitment to the secure existence of Israel and the Israeli people, in a similar commitment to the security and existence of Palestinians in their own state, and in a passionate vision of negotiated peace as the only viable way forward," Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the church’s stated clerk, said in a 20 July statement.

With $8 billion invested in US firms, the church's clout is significant, and the political symbolism of its move is even more striking.

Some observers believe Israel may be subjected ultimately to an economic embargo, as South Africa was during its apartheid years.

Although the church has not yet named any company that is likely to be affected by its new divestment policy, Rev. Kirkpatricktold reporters on October 9 they have already held meetings with officials from Caterpillar company, manufacturer and exporters of bulldozers to the Israeli army.

The 23-year-old activist from Washington D.C., was ran over by an Israeli bulldozer while trying to prevent the demolition of Palestinian houses in the Gaza Strip.

"The bulldozer certainly is the symbol of the occupation," said Rachel's father Craig, at an April 4 rally in Chicago.

"Your tax dollars and mine surely purchased the D-9 bulldozer that killed Rachel," said a tearful Craig.

The Presbyterian Church official told IOL that their decision was welcomed by several other churches, mulling similar action.

He described withdrawing investments from such companies as "the last resort" in case talks failed to coax them into reconsidering their actions.

The Anglican Peace and Justice Network, representing the full 77 million member Anglican Communion, has announced that the Anglican Church, which boasts 75 million members around the world, intends to join the efforts of the Presbyterian Church.

"Israel, with the complicity of the United States, seems determined to flaunt international laws, whether they are the Geneva Conventions, United Nations resolutions or the most recent decision of the International Court of Justice in declaring the separation wall illegal."

Analysts believe that if the Anglican Church follows the footsteps of the Presbyterian Church it would be deadly blow to the Israeli economy and companies operating in Israel because the Presbyterian Church’s investments are nothing compared to that of the Anglican Church.

In a statement, a copy of which was sent to IOL, the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) committee of the Episcopal Church decided to "recommend to the Executive Council -- the Church's governing board -- in November that SRI spend the next 12 months investigating what corporate actions might be appropriate with companies that contribute to the ongoing Occupation, especially in the areas of home demolitions, settlement building and the separation wall."

The pro-Palestinian actions of the churches have triggered a vile campaign in the Israeli press and the Jewish lobby in the US.

In an article published on September 26, the Israeli Jerusalem Post described the churches as "misguided."

It defiantly wrote that such economic pressures would not deter Israel.

Similarly, the Presbyterian Church’s divestment policy angered American Jewish groups, including the New York-based Anti-Defamation League.

Rabbi Rabbi Eric Yoffie, chairman of the Union for Reform Judaism, said American Jews were extremely concerned by the actions of the Presbyterian Church.

The church was also approached by 14 Congressmen who described its actions as irresponsible and weakening the peace process.

However, Rev. Kirkpatrick hit back more strongly.