There are mixed reports from Fort Worth, where the Methodist conference was considering divestment from Israel. A church report says the Methodists shot down divestment. The ADL is congratulating the Methodists–
The
resounding defeat of five anti-Israel divestment resolutions by the
United Methodist Church at its General Conference demonstrates that the
UMC delegates understand the complexities of the situation between
Israel and the Palestinians and rightfully chose to reject language and
actions that demonize Israel.
But Jewish Voice for Peace,
the Oakland-based post-Zionist organization which lobbied for divestment, says that the Methodists took some steps forward:
1. Hillary Clinton‘s United Methodist Church reaffirms opposition to Israeli occupation at General Conference
2. Overwhelmingly affirms divestment as an option for pressuring for an end to Israel’s occupation
3. Creates task force to set human rights criteria for church investments/divestment in the MIddle East, Darfur and China.
4. Begins direct corporate engagement with Caterpillar, Inc to discuss role in the Palestinian Occupied Territories
JVP’s Sydney Levy said, "This is an important step forward for a
major
US church that has a longstanding history of opposition to the Israeli
occupation."
And JVP says that church leadership also reaffirmed condemnation of Israel’s occupation. Jim Winkler, the General Secretary of the Methodist General Board of Church and Society said: "Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land has continued for more than 40 years. Undeniable misery is experienced every day by Palestinian Christians and Muslims. Our church should not profit from it."
