The decision of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme to propose a boycott and divestment motion to the state convention of the United Church of Christ is confusing and disturbing on many levels. To focus solely on Israel as the cause of the lack of progress towards peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians relieves the Palestinians of any obligation to take steps of their own towards peace.

Why is there no mention of the Hamas charter calling for an end to Israel, or to the kidnapping and murder of young Israelis, or to the launching of rockets from Gaza aimed at civilian targets in Israel? Alas, they seem to hold the Palestinians to a very low standard of behavior.

Has the church forgotten that Israel withdrew from Gaza voluntarily? What was the Palestinian response? Instead of building, they destroyed the industrial infrastructure the Israelis left for them to use. Instead of advancing peace, they built tunnels and smuggled in weapons with which to destroy Israel.

In the entire Middle East the position of Christians is secure only in Israel, and in the territories. Where was the voice of the congregational church or Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ when the Coptic Churches in Egypt were firebombed, when the Christians were expelled from Iraq, or when the Lebanese Christians were assaulted?

Lastly, the call to boycott Soda Stream and other companies harms Palestinians who work in those companies. Ironically, the Palestinians who work in those companies are paid fair wages and get benefits, unlike their compensation in most Arab countries.

The future of both Israel and Palestine depends on economic development and cooperation, which will help both people. Boycotts and divestment only harm the necessary economic engines that will help both people to work together and prosper.

Jerome E. Fischer is the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut.