NCJW Supports Targeted Divestment from Sudan

March 23, 2007, New York, NY -- The delegate body of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) voted overwhelmingly to endorse "targeted divestment from companies that are directly or indirectly helping the Sudanese government perpetuate genocide." Consequently, NCJW has already begun the process of targeted divestment, and will encourage communities, states, coalition partners, and others to do the same.

Commenting on the March 18, 2007, vote taken at NCJW's Washington Institute, NCJW President Phyllis Snyder said:

"The world must unite to send a loud and clear message to the Sudanese government to stop the genocide in Darfur. This mass slaughter has claimed more than 400,000 victims and the death toll continues to mount. The refugee crisis continues, with 2 million people in displaced person camps and 3.5 million reliant on international aid.

"It is critical that we use every avenue available to exert pressure on the government of Sudan. Targeted divestment has been proven to be a strong and effective tactic in this crisis and in other contexts. NCJW was one of the first Jewish organizations to divest from companies doing business with the South African government in protest against apartheid, joining an international effort that ultimately contributed to the downfall of that racist policy.

"As Jews who know full well the cost of silence in the face of genocide, we have a moral responsibility to do everything we can to end the human tragedy unfolding in Darfur -- divestment is an important step towards that end."

NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.

Contact:
Erica Brody
212 645 4048 x165; ebrody@ncjw.org