Help support two important divestment campaigns to hold Israel accountable

Did you know that 2012 is poised to be a landmark year for corporate accountability in the movement to end Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights and international law?

After many years of hard work by activists in both denominations, the global United Methodist Church (UMC) and the Presbyterian Church (USA) are voting over the next six months on resolutions to divest from Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Hewlett Packard due to their complicity in the Israeli occupation [documented here]. US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation member groups United Methodist Kairos Response and Israel-Palestine Mission Network are leading the way in building support for the UMC resolution and Presbyterian Committee on Mission Responsibility through Investment (MRTI)’s divestment recommendation, respectively.

It is hard to overstate the significance of these campaigns. Passage of these resolutions would encourage other institutions and major churches to take action. It would also send Israel one of the strongest messages yet that its oppressive policies will no longer be tolerated. 

These are ambitious, winnable campaigns, but they need your help! 

No matter what Israel/Palestine campaigning you are focused on, we urge you to find a way to support these campaigns, since success will surely advance all other efforts in some way. Here is a list of things you can do. 

Challenge yourself to do at least 2 of the following…

Endorse the United Methodist resolution!  Click here to endorse as an individual. Click here to submit an organizational endorsement. Click here to sign a petition if you participate in services provided by the UMC General Board of Pension & Health Benefits. Sign this letter supporting the divestment recommendation of the Presbyterian MRTI! You can sign as an individual or on behalf of an organization. Volunteer to help pass these resolutions! United Methodists and Presbyterians would be especially helpful, but really anyone can help. Any amount of support is appreciated. Please click here to email the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation if you are interested.

This could be our turning point. Please join the Methodists, Presbyterians, and other people of conscience from around the country in supporting these campaigns today!