UMC Conferences Criticized for Anti-Israel Divestiture Votes
Jim Brown, Agape Press

Two regional conventions of the United Methodist Church (UMC) have voted to divest from companies that do business with Israel. A conservative Methodist activist is critical of that decision coming from the two groups within the eight-million-member denomination. Last year, the Presbyterian Church USA voted overwhelmingly to endorse a divestment campaign against the Jewish state. Now the New England and Virginia Annual Conferences of the UMC have called for their denomination to divest stock in firms whose products have been used to destroy Palestinian homes. In Virginia, the resolution was proposed by the state chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. The Palestine News Agency has lauded both of the Methodist conferences for taking action against what it calls "apartheid Israel." Mark Tooley, who heads the United Methodist Action Committee for the Institute on Religion and Democracy, says mainline "church elites" are very hostile to Israel primarily because the Jewish state is an ally of the United States. The IRD spokesman points out that while the United Methodist Church has been quick to condemn Israel for alleged human-rights abuses, the denomination's General Conference has refused to consider resolutions on human-rights violations in China, North Korea, Iran, Vietnam, Pakistan, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria, and Egypt.

Keep our eyes on Israel, now even the UMC is turning its back on the 'apple' of God's eye, Israel.

Who is next?

UCC votes in favor of divestment campaign against Israel
By israelinsider staff and partners July 6, 2005

The United Church of Christ voted to use "economic leverage" to force Israel to succumb to Palestinian demands and to dismantle the security fence.

The resolutions were criticized by Jewish leaders, who called them anti-Semitic.

The votes by the UCC's General Synod came in the closing minutes of the church's annual meeting -- and the day after the church's rule-making body voted overwhelmingly to approve a resolution endorsing same-sex marriage.

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