Alex Kane just mentioned Susanne Hoder, a Methodist leader on divestment, and you can hear her in this video giving a quick overview yesterday at the opening of the Methodist global conference in Tampa, FL.
She says that the Methodists have voted again and again that they want the occupation of lands beyond Israel to end– 94 percent of them voted to end the occupation. “We do not believe the church should profit from a situation we have overwhelmingly stated we want to end.” This is not a change in policy.
And the call has come from Palestinian Christians, members of our own faith community, she says.
Look at the lineup alongside her at the press conference yesterday. Dalit Baum, Rebecca Vilkomerson, Daoud Nasser of the Tent of Nations, Cindy Corrie is there. And look at Rabbi Brant Rosen nodding when Hoder says that the divestment movement has just built connections between Methodists and Jews.
Thanks for keeping us in the loop. Met and talked with Cindy Corrie at the Occupy Aipac conference protest. What a sweet, strong, kind person. One could easily see where Rachel had come from. The Methodist have been out in front on divestment
Last night President Obama came to Boulder where I am visiting family and friends. Did not try to get a ticket have had the good fortune of seeing him many times thought I would leave a ticket for someone else. Anyway Occupy Boulder, a pro Romney group, anti Obama group, a save Utah wild lands and others in cluding me with my “Stop U.S aid to Israel ” protested in what Univ of Colorado has now designated “free speech zones” which essentially are NO free speech zones. They stick protesters in a stall of metal barn yard cages (used now at most protest) but in an area where there was little to no traffic and of course they said Obama would be driving by in his motorcades but as I expected did not. So the Univ of Colorado makes sure that the thousands of people attending the Obama talk as well as Obama and team do not see or hear the protesters. Castrating any protest effort. So much for free speech at the University of Colorado.
I of course walked along side the long line of folks going into the Coors Event stadium with my sign “Stop U.S. aid to Israel” Reactions went from total shock, silence, several young fellows telling me to not stand near them. I asked “are you threatening me?” They shut up right away. To others giving me a thumbs up, to young women saying to me “I was born in Israel” I responded “great” so tell me what you think about the continued expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, illegal housing in E Jerusalem and the abusive treatment of Palestinians. She knew very little to nothing as well as her male friends who said they had been to Israel as if a visit to Israel or citizenship is absolution from the human rights crimes being committed in that conflict. I have noticed this before that somehow some think a trip to Israel makes one know more about the conflict which we all know is not generally the case.
Talked with a good 30 or so folks who I was able to hand “If Americans Knew” brochures etc as I was headed to the “free speech zone” where no one would hear or see the protesters from different groups from the region.
Keep thinking about one of the Univ of Colorado students that I talked with last night during Obama’s speech at the Coors Event Center. He was a big guy on a bike. He saw my sign and stopped me to read it. Then said “I was born in Israel” I said “wonderful” Then asked what he thought about the continued expansion of illegal settlements. He went silent. I then mentioned that I have heard that the discussion is much more open in Israel and the occupied territories. He responded “and nothing has changed” That was the end of our discussion. Although some Chinese students had over heard the conversation as well as a Professor on campus and they came over and we talked for about one half hour. Told them about Mondoweiss. .
“and nothing has changed” Discouraging
No kidding.
What a panel!
RE: “Methodist church has repeatedly and overwhelmingly called for an end to the occupation” ~ Weiss
~ ~ ~ UNITED METHODIST KAIROS RESPONSE ~ ~ ~
Endorse the Resolution
Aligning United Methodist Investments with Resolutions
on Israel/Palestine
• Read the resolution here.
This is a endorsement form for individuals, both United Methodists and all others. We welcome endorsements by everyone who would like to support this action for justice and peace in the Holy Land.
• ENDORSE THE RESOLUTION HERE.