Methodists reject divestment

The divestment campaign is starting to backfire. The goal of the campaign was to mobilize a large constituency for delegitization of Israel, by isolating Israel in the same way as apartheid South Africa was isolated.

 

Instead, at least in the saner areas of public action, divestment campaigns mobilized a counter reaction that underlines the vast differences between Israel and apartheid south Africa, and points out the unfair and racist campaign being waged by the divestment camp.

 

Ami Isseroff

---

 

May 5, 2008

Contact: Sr. Ruth Lautt, O.P., Esq.

Christians For Fair Witness on the Middle East

(212) 870-2320

Christians for Fair Witness Applauds United Methodists For Rejecting Divestment

Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East applauds the United Methodist Church for rejecting divestment from companies doing business with the state of Israel. Five annual U.S. Methodist conferences and one independent Methodist organization (Methodist Federation for Social Action) submitted divestment petitions for consideration at the United Methodist General Conference which took place in Fort Worth, Texas from April 23 - May 2, 2008. These petitions were all rejected unanimously in Legislative Committee and defeated by General Conference delegates as they voted on a special consent calendar.

Rev. Dr. Archer Summers, Senior Pastor of the Palo Alto United Methodist Church, had co-authored a series of letters and mailings to General Conference delegates urging them to vote against divestment. "I had faith that reason and justice would prevail in my denomination, and it did," says Dr. Summers.

Sr. Ruth Lautt, Fair Witness National Director, reports: "I was in Fort Worth for the ten days of the General Conference. We met wonderful United Methodist clergy and lay delegates who rejected the extremist positions of pro-divestment voices and instead were seeking ways to promote peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians."

--
Sr. Ruth Lautt, OP, Esq.

National Director

Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East

475 Riverside Drive, Ste 1960
New York, NY 10115

(212) 870-2320