Editing Presbyterian Church (USA) (section)

==Controversies==

===Homosexuality===
{{Main|Christianity and sexual orientation|Homosexuality and Presbyterianism}}
{{Further|Christianity and homosexuality|Christianity and transgender people|LGBT-affirming Christian denominations|LGBT clergy in Christianity}}
[[File:Church of the Pilgrims entrance.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Church of the Pilgrims (Washington, D.C.)|Church of the Pilgrims]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] indicating its support for [[LGBT rights]]]]

Paragraph G-6.0106b of the [[Book of Order]], which was adopted in 1996, prohibited the ordination of those who were not faithful in heterosexual marriage or chaste in singleness. This paragraph was included in the Book of Order from 1997 to 2011, and was commonly referred to by its pre-ratification designation, "Amendment B".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-homosexual.htm |title=Presbyterian 101 |at=Social Issues: Homosexuality |publisher=PC(USA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716134551/https://www.pcusa.org/101/101-homosexual.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2007 }}</ref> Several attempts were made to remove this from the Book of Order, ultimately culminating in its removal in 2011. In 2011, the Presbyteries of the PC(USA) passed Amendment 10-A permitting congregations to ordain openly gay and lesbian elders and deacons, and allowing presbyteries to ordain ministers without reference to the fidelity/chastity provision, saying "governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcusa.org/news/2011/5/10/churchwide-letter-concerning-amendment-10-/|title= A churchwide letter concerning Amendment 10-A|publisher=PC(USA)|date=May 10, 2011|access-date=May 9, 2012|archive-date=August 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805045939/http://www.pcusa.org/news/2011/5/10/churchwide-letter-concerning-amendment-10-/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Many Presbyterian scholars, pastors, and theologians have been heavily involved in the debate over homosexuality over the years. The [[Presbyterian Church of India]]'s cooperation with the Presbyterian Church (USA) was dissolved in 2012 when the PC(USA) voted to ordain openly gay clergy to the ministry.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Mizoram-Presbyterian-church-snaps-US-ties-over-gay-stand/articleshow/14042660.cms|title=Mizoram Presbyterian church snaps US ties over gay stand|access-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111174231/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-12/guwahati/32194538_1_gay-priests-usa-church-church-employees|archive-date=January 11, 2014|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=June 12, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, the PC(USA) granted permission, nationally, to begin ordaining openly gay and lesbian clergy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/08/presbyterian-church-ordain-gay-clergy_n_893210.html|title=Presbyterian Church Will Start Ordaining Gay Clergy|date=July 8, 2011|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416040049/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/08/presbyterian-church-ordain-gay-clergy_n_893210.html|url-status=live|author-first1=Jaweed|author-last1=Kaleem}}</ref>
[[File:First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh.png|thumb|244x244px|Stained Glass in Conservative PCUSA [[First Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh)|Church]] (Traditional High-Church Presbyterianism)]]
Since 1980, the [[More Light Churches Network]] has served many congregations and individuals within American Presbyterianism who promote the full participation of all people in the PC(USA) regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Covenant Network of Presbyterians was formed in 1997 to support repeal of "Amendment B" and to encourage networking among like-minded clergy and congregations.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.covenantnetwork.org/about06.htm | title = About | publisher = Covenant Network | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927042921/http://www.covenantnetwork.org/about06.htm | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Other organizations of Presbyterians, such as the [[Confessing Movement]] and the [[Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals]], have organized on the other side of the issue to support the fidelity/chastity standard for ordination, which was removed in 2011.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to allow same-sex marriages on June 19, 2014, during its 221st General Assembly, making it one of the largest Christian denominations in the world to allow same-sex unions. This vote lifted a previous ban, and allows pastors to perform marriages in jurisdictions where it is legal. Additionally, the Assembly approved amending the Book of Order that would change the definition of marriage from "between a man and a woman" to "between two people, traditionally between a man and a woman".

===General Assembly 2006===
The 2006 ''Report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church'',<ref>[http://www.pcusa.org/peaceunitypurity/finalreport/final-report-revised-english.pdf A Season of Discernment: The Final Report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515022133/http://www.pcusa.org/peaceunitypurity/finalreport/final-report-revised-english.pdf |date=May 15, 2008 }}, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2006, retrieved May 14, 2008</ref> in theory, attempted to find common ground. Some felt that the adoption of this report provided for a clear local option mentioned, while the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Clifton Kirkpatrick went on record as saying, "Our standards have not changed. The rules of the Book of Order stay in force and all ordinations are still subject to review by higher governing bodies." The authors of the report stated that it is a compromise and return to the original Presbyterian culture of local controls. The recommendation for more control by local [[presbyterian polity|presbyteries and sessions]] is viewed by its opposition as a method for bypassing the constitutional restrictions currently in place concerning ordination and marriage, effectively making the constitutional "standard" entirely subjective.

In the General Assembly gathering of June 2006, Presbyterian voting Commissioners passed an "authoritative interpretation", recommended by the Theological Task Force, of the ''Book of Order'' (the church constitution). Some argued that this gave presbyteries the "local option" of ordaining or not ordaining anyone based on a particular presbytery's reading of the constitutional statute. Others argued that presbyteries have always had this responsibility and that this new ruling did not change but only clarified that responsibility. On June 20, 2006, the General Assembly voted 298 to 221 (or 57% to 43%) to approve such interpretation. In that same session on June 20, the General Assembly also voted 405 to 92 (with 4 abstentions) to uphold the constitutional standard for ordination requiring fidelity in marriage or chastity in singleness.

===General Assembly 2008===
The General Assembly of 2008 took several actions related to homosexuality. The first action was to adopt a different translation of the [[Heidelberg Catechism]] from 1962, removing the words "homosexual perversions" among other changes. This will require the approval of the 2010 and 2012 General Assemblies as well as the votes of the presbyteries after the 2010 Assembly.{{Update after | 2010 | 6 | 30}}<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.pc-biz.org/IOBView.aspx?m=ro&id=1699 | publisher = General Assembly PC-Biz system | title = 218th General Assembly | at = item 13-06 | access-date = July 3, 2008 | archive-date = September 24, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080924025023/http://www.pc-biz.org/IOBView.aspx?m=ro&id=1699 | url-status = live }}</ref> The second action was to approve a new Authoritative Interpretation of G-6.0108 of the ''Book of Order'' allowing for the ordaining body to make decisions on whether or not a departure from the standards of belief of practice is sufficient to preclude ordination.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.pc-biz.org/IOBView.aspx?m=ro&id=1497 | publisher = General Assembly PC-Biz system | title = 218th General Assembly | at = item 05-12 | access-date = July 3, 2008 | archive-date = October 24, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081024144752/http://www.pc-biz.org/IOBView.aspx?m=ro&id=1497 | url-status = live }}</ref> Some argue that this creates "local option" on ordaining homosexual persons. The third action was to replace the text of "Amendment B" with new text: "Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions. In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church. Each governing body charged with examination for ordination or installation (G-14.0240 and G-14.0450) establishes the candidate's sincere efforts to adhere to these standards."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pc-biz.org/IOBView.aspx?m=ro&id=1461 | publisher = General Assembly PC-Biz system | title = 218th General Assembly | at = item 05-09 | access-date = July 3, 2008 | archive-date = October 24, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081024144748/http://www.pc-biz.org/IOBView.aspx?m=ro&id=1461 | url-status = live }}</ref> This would have removed the "fidelity and chastity" clause. This third action failed to obtain the required approval of a majority of the presbyteries by June 2009. Fourth, a resolution was adopted to affirm the definition of marriage from Scripture and the Confessions as being between a man and a woman.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://archive.pcusa.org/ga218/
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130809194634/http://archive.pcusa.org/ga218/
 | url-status = dead
 | archive-date = August 9, 2013
| publisher = PC(USA) | title = 218th General Assembly |date= 2008}}</ref>

===General Assembly 2010===
In July 2010, by a vote of 373 to 323, the General Assembly voted to propose to the presbyteries for ratification a constitutional amendment to remove from the Book of Order section G-6.0106.b. which included this explicit requirement for ordination: "Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness." This proposal required ratification by a majority of the 173 presbyteries within 12 months of the General Assembly's adjournment.<ref>{{Citation |url= http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100709/pcusa-assembly-oks-removing-gay-ordination-ban/ |title= PCUSA Assembly OKs Lifting Gay Ordination Ban, Christian News |journal= Christian Post |date= July 9, 2010 |access-date= February 28, 2012 |archive-date= November 24, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101124083246/http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100709/pcusa-assembly-oks-removing-gay-ordination-ban/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/05/10/Presbyterians_Approve_Gay_Clergy/ | newspaper = Advocate | title = Presbyterians approve gay clergy | date = May 10, 2011 | access-date = May 11, 2011 | archive-date = May 14, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110514165608/http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/05/10/Presbyterians_Approve_Gay_Clergy/ | url-status = live }}</ref> A majority of presbytery votes was reached in May 2011. The constitutional amendment took effect July 10, 2011.<ref>{{Citation | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/us/11presbyterian.html?_r=3 | title = Presbyterians Approve Ordination of Gay People | date = May 11, 2011 | first = Laurie | last = Goodstein | access-date = February 28, 2017 | archive-date = June 13, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170613084235/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/us/11presbyterian.html?_r=3 | url-status = live }}</ref> This amendment shifted back to the ordaining body the responsibility for making decisions about whom they shall ordain and what they shall require of their candidates for ordination. It neither prevents nor imposes the use of the so-called "fidelity and chastity" requirement, but it removes that decision from the text of the constitution and places that judgment responsibility back upon the ordaining body where it had traditionally been prior to the insertion of the former G-6.0106.b. in 1997. Each ordaining body, the session for deacon or elder and the presbytery for minister, is now responsible to make its own interpretation of what scripture and the confessions require of ordained officers.

===General Assembly 2014===
In June 2014, the General Assembly approved a change in the wording of its constitution defining marriage as a contract "between a woman and a man" to that of a contract "between two people, traditionally a man and a woman". It allowed gay and lesbian weddings within the church and further allowed clergy to perform same-sex weddings. That revision gave clergy the choice of whether or not to preside over same-sex marriages; clergy were not compelled to perform same-sex marriages.

===Property ownership===
[[File:Westminster Presbyterian Church (Dayton, OH).jpg|thumb|334x334px|[[Westminster Presbyterian Church (Dayton)|Westminster Presbyterian Church]] (Dayton, OH)]]
PC(USA)'s book of order includes a "trust clause", under which the presbytery may assert a claim to the property of the congregation in the event of a congregational split, dissolution (closing), or disassociation from the PC(USA). In interpreting this trust clause, PC(USA) does not consider equitable factors such as the congregation's relative contribution to the financing of its property, or the relative percentage of members voting to disassociate. Nor does PC(USA) consider legal factors of state trust law such as written consent to the trust in the property's title deed or the congregation's bylaws.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Section 2 - Property - Legal Resource Manual |url=https://www.presbyterianmission.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/Section%202%20-%20Property%20-%20Legal%20Resource%20Manual.pdf |website=Presbyterian Mission Agency |access-date=December 25, 2024}}</ref> The trust clause does not prevent particular churches from leaving the denomination, but if they do, they may not be permitted to keep their real property unless by agreement with the presbytery. This provision, and a similar provision of the Episcopal Church, has been tested in various courts, with mixed results.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Protestant Episcopal Church v. The Episcopal Church |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/south-carolina/supreme-court/2022/28095.html}}</ref>

===Israeli–Palestinian conflict===
{{Main|Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) disinvestment from Israel controversy}}
{{See also|Disinvestment from Israel}}

In June 2004, the General Assembly met in [[Richmond, Virginia]], and adopted by a vote of 431–62 a resolution that called on the church's committee on Mission Responsibility through Investment (MRTI) "to initiate a process of phased, [[selective divestment]] in multinational corporations operating in Israel". The resolution also said "the occupation ... has proven to be at the root of evil acts committed against innocent people on both sides of the conflict".<ref name='Overture 04-32'>{{cite web|url=http://archive.pcusa.org/ga216/business/overtures/ovt0432.htm |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/3822/20160614105635/http://archive.pcusa.org/ga216/business/overtures/ovt0432.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 14, 2016 |title=Urging Israel and Palestine to Implement the Accord |access-date=February 9, 2007 |date=June 26, 2004 |publisher=Presbyterian Church (USA)}}</ref> The church statement at the time noted that "divestment is one of the strategies that U.S. churches used in the 1970s and 80s in a successful campaign to end [[apartheid]] in South Africa".

A second resolution, calling for an end to the construction of a wall by the state of Israel, passed.<ref name='Israeli Wall'>{{cite web |url=http://archive.pcusa.org/worldwide/israelpalestine/wallresolution.htm/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614001048/http://archive.pcusa.org/worldwide/israelpalestine/wallresolution.htm/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 14, 2016 |title=General Assembly Action on the Israeli Wall |access-date=February 9, 2007 |date=June 26, 2004 |publisher=Presbyterian Church (USA)}}</ref> The resolution opposed to the construction of the [[Israeli West Bank barrier]], regardless of its location, and opposed the United States government making monetary contribution to the construction. The General Assembly also adopted policies rejecting [[Christian Zionism]] and allowing the continued funding of [[Jews for Jesus|conversionary activities aimed at Jews]]. Together, the resolutions caused tremendous dissent within the church and a sharp disconnect with the Jewish community. Leaders of several American Jewish groups communicated to the church their concerns about the use of economic leverages that apply specifically to companies operating in Israel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letter Regarding Divestment sent to Mainline Protestant Denominations From Leaders of Five Major Jewish Organizations |url=http://www.globalministries.org/mee/jointsanctions.pdf |publisher=American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Union for Reform Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism |first1=David |last1=Elcott |first2=Rabbi Gary |last2=Bretton-Granatoor |first3=Ethan |last3=Felson |first4=Mark |last4=Waldman |first5=Mark |last5=Pelavin |date=November 29, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622012243/http://www.globalministries.org/mee/jointsanctions.pdf |archive-date=June 22, 2007 }}</ref> Some critics of the divestment policy accused church leaders of [[anti-Semitism]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Presbyterian Church defames Christianity|url=http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0704/prager_presbyterians.php3|work=Jewish World Review|last=Prager|first=Dennis|date=July 20, 2004|access-date=June 4, 2006|archive-date=May 29, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529010807/http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0704/prager_presbyterians.php3|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Presbyterian Church Boycotts Israel|url=http://www.jewishmag.com/94mag/presbyterian/presbyterian.htm|work=The Jewish Magazine|last=Hecht|first=Shea|date=September 2005|access-date=June 4, 2006|archive-date=March 18, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318141256/http://www.jewishmag.com/94mag/presbyterian/presbyterian.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://expresbyterian.blogspot.com/2007/12/curious-silence.html |title=A Recovering Presbyterian |contribution=A Curious Silence |date=December 2007 |access-date=December 14, 2007 |archive-date=January 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123154250/http://expresbyterian.blogspot.com/2007/12/curious-silence.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2006, after the General Assembly in [[Birmingham, Alabama]] changed policy ([[PC(USA) Divestment from Israel#Change to policy in 2006|details]]), both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups praised the resolution. Pro-Israel groups, who had written General Assembly commissioners to express their concerns about a corporate engagement/divestment strategy focused on Israel,<ref>{{cite web |title=Letter from 12 National Jewish Agencies to Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly Commissioners Regarding Upcoming Decision on Phased Selective Divestment Related to Israel |url=http://www.adl.org/Interfaith/Letter_commissioners.asp |first1=Rabbi Gary |last1=Bretton-Granatoor |first2=David |last2=Elcott |first3=Ethan |last3=Felson |first4=Lewis |last4=Grafman |first5=Shelley |last5=Klein |first6=Eugene |last6=Korn |first7=Avram |last7=Lyons |first8=David |last8=Michaels |first9=Sammie |last9=Moshenberg |first10=Mark |last10=Pelavin |first11=Carl |last11=Sheingold |first12=Robert |last12=Zweiman |publisher=Anti-Defamation League |date=June 4, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615023206/http://www.adl.org/Interfaith/Letter_commissioners.asp |archive-date=June 15, 2006 }}</ref> praised the new resolution, saying that it reflected the church stepping back from a policy that singled out companies working in Israel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement from 15 National Agencies Welcoming Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly Return to 'Customary Corporate Engagement Process' |first=Ethan |last=Felson |url=http://www.e-guana.net/organizations/org/JointStatementpostPCGA2006.doc |website=E-guana.net |date=June 4, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828213616/http://www.e-guana.net/organizations/org/JointStatementpostPCGA2006.doc |archive-date=August 28, 2016 }}</ref> Pro-Palestinian groups said that the church maintained the opportunity to engage and potentially divest from companies that support the Israeli occupation, because such support would be considered inappropriate according to the customary MRTI process.

In August 2011, the American National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus (NMEPC) endorsed the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|boycott, divestment, and sanctions]] (BDS) campaign against Israel.<ref>{{cite web |work=Religion News |url=http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/pressreleases/nmepc_support_boycott_campaign_against_the_israeli_occupation_of_palestine/ |title=National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus Supports and Endorses the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign Against the Israeli Occupation of Palestine |access-date=October 16, 2011 |archive-date=December 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216180915/http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/pressreleases/nmepc_support_boycott_campaign_against_the_israeli_occupation_of_palestine/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2014, The PC(USA) published "Zionism unsettled", which was commended as "a valuable opportunity to explore the political ideology of Zionism".<ref name="pcusa">{{cite web|url= http://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/1/21/presbyterian-network-opens-new-dialogue-zionism/ |title=Presbyterian network opens new dialogue on Zionism |work=PCUSA website |date=January 21, 2014 |access-date=February 2, 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140625134245/http://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/1/21/presbyterian-network-opens-new-dialogue-zionism/ |archive-date=June 25, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> One critic claimed it was [[anti-Zionist]] and characterized the Israeli–Palestinian as a conflict fueled by a "pathology inherent in Zionism".<ref name="hartz">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.575067 |title=Presbyterians reject church group's anti-Zionist study guide |quote=The guide, 'Zionism Unsettled', posits that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fueled by a 'pathology inherent in Zionism'. |newspaper=Haaretz |date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=June 29, 2014 |archive-date=June 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625052443/http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.575067 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]] described the study guide as "a hit-piece outside all norms of interfaith dialogue. It is a compendium of distortions, ignorance and outright lies – that tragically has emanated too often from elites within this church".<ref name="SWC">{{cite web |url= http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=8776547&ct=13645707 |title= Presbyterian's 'Zionism Unsettled' – Theological Twin of UN's Infamous 'Zionism is Racism' Resolution |work= Simon Wiesenthal Center website |date= February 6, 2014 |access-date= August 11, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150802052507/http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=8776547&ct=13645707 |archive-date= August 2, 2015 |url-status= dead }}</ref> The PC(USA) subsequently withdrew the publication from sale on its website.<ref name=pcusa2>{{cite web|url= http://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/6/27/zionism-unsettled-no-longer-sold-pcusa-website/ |title= Zionism Unsettled No Longer Sold on PC(USA) Website |work=PCUSA website |date= June 27, 2014 |access-date=June 29, 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140630140652/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/6/27/zionism-unsettled-no-longer-sold-pcusa-website/ |url-status= live |archive-date=June 30, 2014}}</ref>

On June 20, 2014, the General Assembly in Detroit approved a measure (310–303) calling for divestment from stock in Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard and Motorola Solutions in protest of Israeli policies on the West Bank. The vote was immediately and sharply criticized by the [[American Jewish Committee]] which accused the General Assembly of acting out of anti-Semitic motives. Proponents of the measure strongly denied the accusations.<ref name="Presbyterians to divest as protest against Israel">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/presbyterians-to-divest-as-protest-against-israel/2014/06/20/8cf2b6b2-f8de-11e3-af55-076a4c5f20a0_story.html?wp_login_redirect=0 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140621172417/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/presbyterians-to-divest-as-protest-against-israel/2014/06/20/8cf2b6b2-f8de-11e3-af55-076a4c5f20a0_story.html?wp_login_redirect=0 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 21, 2014 |title=Presbyterians to divest as protest against Israel |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 21, 2014 |access-date=June 21, 2014 }}</ref>

In June 2022, at its 225th General Assembly, the church's Committee on International Engagement voted to [[Israel and apartheid|declare Israel an apartheid state]] and designate [[Nakba Day]]. The committee also called for an end to Israel's [[blockade of the Gaza Strip]] and affirmed the "right of all people to live and worship peacefully" in Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/us-presbyterian-church-declares-israel-apartheid-state|title=US Presbyterian Church declares Israel 'apartheid state'|author=The New Arab Staff|date=June 30, 2022|website=english.alaraby.co.uk|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=October 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021163713/https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/us-presbyterian-church-declares-israel-apartheid-state|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:East Liberty Presbyterian Church (High Church Presbyterianism).jpg|thumb|355x355px|East Liberty Presbyterian Church (High Church Presbyterian)]]