Methodist Church divests from 5 Israeli banks, 1 company, and G4S

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
3 May 2024 16:30
6 Shares

The United Methodist Church's historic resolution to exclude bonds from "Israel", driven by concern over human rights violations and the ongoing war in Gaza, underscores their commitment to Palestinian rights and opposition to occupation and injustice.

Michigan Bishop David Bard presides at a session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP)

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, made history by calling for church investment managers to exclude bonds from "Israel" due to their prolonged military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East al-Quds.

The resolution aims to avoid profiting from suffering caused by occupation, stressing that Wespath, the investment agency of The United Methodist Church, has refrained from investing in five Israeli banks, the Israeli company Shikun & Binui, and the international corporation G4S, due to their involvement in illegal Israeli settlements and violations of Palestinian human rights.

This decision was driven by deep concern over human rights violations, particularly amid the ongoing genocidal war in Gaza, reflecting the church's commitment to Palestinian rights and opposition to injustice in the region.

The church has also taken steps to address issues such as the Israeli occupation's detention of children, opposition to anti-boycott laws, and advocacy for a "just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis."

'We do not want to be supporting the Israeli government'

This action aligns with previous measures supporting the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), reinforcing the church's stance against occupation and violations of Palestinian rights.

“The timing of this decision is especially significant. When we see the ongoing genocide happening in Gaza, we do not want to be supporting the Israeli government with unrestricted governmental funds” said Lisa Bender, chair of United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR), the group that wrote and organized the passage of this divestment legislation.

In turn, Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, who also spoke at the Rally for Palestine held in the first week of the General Conference, said, "For over a decade, Palestinian Christians have been calling out to the worldwide church for partnership in ending occupation and apartheid. Once again, we United Methodists are responding in a concrete, impactful way even as we continue to pray for peace and justice."