Why the wrath? After all, we've heard these self same activists time and time again speak of the poor starving palestinians. Why all of a sudden are they rejecting help?
Its really quite simple. The Methodists, after careful debate have decided that perhaps the best way to aid the Palestinians would be positive investment in their economic future.
The orginal text "Aligning UMC Investments with Resolutions on Israel/Palestine (21071-FA-Non-Dis)" as follows, stated
"The 2012 General Conference calls on The United Methodist Church to end its financial involvement in Israel’s occupation by divesting from companies that sustain the occupation.
The 2012 General Conference:
instructs all United Methodist general boards and agencies to divest promptly from Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Hewlett Packard until they end their involvement in the Israeli occupation. These companies have been engaged repeatedly by the United Methodist general agencies, boards and annual conferences on this issue.
calls on all United Methodist general boards and agencies to immediately engage with other companies in their portfolios that have been identified by researchers in United Methodist general boards and agencies and annual conferences as being involved in the occupation (United Methodists’ Holy Land Task Force, “Companies of Concern,” November 2010
requires all United Methodist general boards and agencies to provide updates on their Web sites regarding the process of corporate engagement with and/or divestment from companies that support the Israeli occupation.
directs all United Methodist general boards and agencies to provide a report to the 2016 General Conference regarding their progress toward complying with this resolution.
calls on United Methodist general boards and agencies, annual conferences, local churches and individuals to prayerfully consider corporate involvement in Israel’s occupation when making investment decisions.
encourages United Methodists to partner with Jews, Christians, Muslims and other people of conscience working for corporate accountability, human rights and an end to the occupation."
After hours of debate and testimony, this amended version passed:
"The 2012 General Conference calls on the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits to explore serious peacemaking strategies in Israel and Palestine including positive economic and financial investment in Palestine."
The 2012 General Conference:
"Asks that all United Methodist general boards and agencies prayerfully consider advocating that all companies formally recognize and adopt into their Codes of conduct the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (also known as the Ruggie Principles) and that the boards and agencies prayerfully consider economic sanctions with companies that refuse to recognize and adopt the Principles."
requires all United Methodist general boards and agencies to provide updates on their Web sites regarding the process of corporate engagement with and/or divestment from companies that support the Israeli occupation.
directs all United Methodist general boards and agencies to provide a report to the 2016 General Conference regarding their progress toward complying with this resolution.
calls on United Methodist general boards and agencies, annual conferences, local churches and individuals to prayerfully consider corporate involvement in Israel’s occupation when making investment decisions.
encourages United Methodists to partner with Jews, Christians, Muslims and other people of conscience working for corporate accountability, human rights and an end to the occupation."
And the crowd went wild. A positive statement in support of the Palestinian people wasn't sufficient. A financial commitment to the Palestinian people wasn't enough either. The reason is simple. Ultimately, the goal of divestment isnt to help the Palestinians build a state. They get more humanitarian aid per capita than any other group on the planet. Get with the program, well- meaning Methodists. Divestment is meant to isolate and eliminate Israel. Didn't you hear Norman Finklestein? Even he caught on eventually.
So with this action we learn that its NOT about helping Palestinians. It never has been. Its about f**king Israel. Can't have it both ways, Code pink. Cant have it both ways, Jewish Voice for peace. Anna Baltzer- Rae Abileah- the world and the United Methodists aren't as stupid as you think they are. You can't lie about starving Palestinians in a humanitarian crisis and then in the next breath turn down financial assistance, without the world catching on.
Why is the Divestment team arrogantly refusing financial assistance? Could it be because the Palestinians get MORE AID per Capita than other other group on the planet? Could it be because they've been lying all this time? Why yes, I think thats it.
