Major US churches could remove investments in Israel

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Three major US churches, with millions of members, are meeting this week and are expected to vote on whether they will divest from companies that support Israel’s occupation of Palestine, the New York Times reported.

The United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church and the Mennonites will meet this week for their annual gatherings and they all will consider removing investments in Israel, including the possible boycott of products made in Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory.

Israeli divestment is backed by the Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement, which calls for “a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights”, according to the group’s website.

Israel’s supporters say the BDS movement is a cover for anti-Semitism and an effort to delegitimize Israel, the Times reported.

The BDS website calls for the general boycott of Israel, asking artists to cancel shows in the country and encouraging businesses to stop doing business with Israel.

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