The Bishop of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan called Israel a "terrorist state" and denied a request to recognize the legitimacy of the Jewish nation.
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Earlier this month, a Rev. Boiz, who reportedly said he was a pastor from Pakistan's Presbyterian Church, led a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan, demanding the church recognize Israel. But the church this week distanced itself from the protest.
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"We the Christians of Pakistan and especially the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan categorically condemn this demand," said the Rev. T. Nasir, bishop of Pakistan's Presbyterian Church. "We believe that [the] present state of Israel is a 'terrorist state' and Pakistan should not recognize it."
Nasir said Boiz in not a pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan and "his presence and comments might not be counted as views of the Presbyterian Church."
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"I wish to make it clear that my statement is based on principles and I am not trying to please the Muslim majority of Pakistan. What we see every day is enough to condemn this demand," said Nasir.
"We have seen more than enough blood and deaths of unfortunate and forgotten Palestinians at the hands of Ariel Sharon, and as such we do not support this demand. We will go to visit the holy places only after the Palestinians get their right to establish their own homeland and start living in peace. Nothing less will be accepted by us."
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As WorldNetDaily reported, in July the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, USA, voted 431-62 to divest from companies that are invested in Israel. The vote set the stage for the church to divest itself from companies that receive $1 million dollars or more in profits per year from investments in Israel or have invested $1 million dollars or more in Israel.
PCUSA has foundation and pension funds totaling approximately $7 billion.
Leaders of the Anglican Church, which in the U.S. includes the Episcopal Church, USA, are preparing to follow in the footsteps of the Presbyterians by also divesting from Israel.
The church report recommending divestment, signed by 29 Anglican representatives who toured the Holy Land in September before reaching their decision, will be delivered at a 2005 Wales meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council.
