Key points:
- General Conference approved a resolution calling on United Methodist institutions not to invest in the government bonds of Israel, Turkey and Morocco, given that those nations have engaged in long-term military occupations.
- Wespath, the church’s pensions and investment agency, said it will carefully consider the non-binding measure.
- The resolution comes amid pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. college campuses and after a demonstration at General Conference, decrying Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
General Conference delegates this week approved a resolution calling on United Methodist institutions not to invest in bonds of Israel, Turkey and Morocco because of those nations’ long-term military occupations.
This General Conference has occurred as pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. college campuses have met with many arrests. At General Conference, some delegates, bishops and observers staged a protest of Israel’s ongoing, comprehensive military operations in Gaza, which were triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
The resolution regarding the three nations’ bonds was approved on a consent calendar on April 30. It’s advisory, and does not change Book of Discipline Paragraph 717, on sustainable and socially responsible investments.
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But United Methodists for Kairos Response, a caucus that has long advocated for Christians and others in Palestine, applauded the General Conference move.
"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, which wrote and pushed for the resolution.
Wespath, the denomination’s pension and benefits agency, had about 0.12% of its total investments in the sovereign debt of Israel, Morocco and Turkey at the end of 2023.
“Wespath is steadfast in aligning with The United Methodist Church's commitment to human rights and socially responsible investing,” said Julie Capozzi, the agency’s managing director of communications. “In navigating the complex issue of sovereign debt investment, Wespath is listening deeply to the church, reflecting on words from the Council of Bishops, who have ‘pledged our prayers and commitment to work for a durable peace for Israelis, Palestinians and all in the region.’”
She added: “While the approved resolution relating to sovereign debt exclusion is non-binding, Wespath takes the call seriously. Wespath will go through a prayerful discernment process with guidance from their incoming board of directors to determine a course of action.”
Wespath’s Social Value Choice Suite of Funds allows investors to avoid “specific companies named in annual conference resolutions concerning Israel and the Palestinian Territories.”
The resolution approved by General Conference says Israel has occupied Palestinian territories since 1967, Turkey has occupied northern Cyprus since 1974 and Morocco has occupied Western Sahara since 1976 “thus denying their self-determination in violation of the system established by the Charter of the United Nations.”
General Conference delegates renewed and updated a resolution opposing Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. They also approved a resolution addressing Israeli detention of Palestinian children.
The measure calls on the denomination’s Board of Church and Society to plan for “how best to educate and inform United Methodists around the issue.”
In a press release issued by United Methodists for Kairos Response about General Conference actions related to Israel and Palestine, retired Bishop Hope Morgan Ward 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."
Caldwell is a freelance journalist in the Western North Carolina Conference. Hodges is a writer for UM News. News media contact: Julie Dwyer at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free daily or weekly Digests.
