United Methodist Church

News headlines from our top stories of the week, plus an interview with Anna Baltzer on the recent divestment initiative vote by the United Methodist Church.

There will be huge disappointment from supporters of Palestinian rights and relief among supporters of Israel’s violation of those rights at the failure of the measure to divest from companies profiting from Israeli occupation at the United Methodist Church’s General Conference.

Perhaps, some may conclude, the battle is too tough and what worked against South Africa can never work against Israel.

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church today failed to pass a measure to divest from companies profiting from Israeli occupation and human rights abuses of Palestinians.

Members of United Methodist Church have responded forcefully to an attack from Rabbi A. James Rudin, the “senior interreligious adviser” of the American Jewish Committee, just as the Church’s upcoming national conference is to vote on a major initiative to divest from companies profiting from Israeli occupation and human rights abuses against Palestinians.

The United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA) will soon vote on major divestment initiatives. Palestinians are signing an open letter to voting delegates, asking them to support divestment from Caterpillar, Motorola and HP.