Copy LinkUnion Theological Seminary in New York City voted to divest from companies that it claims are “profiting from the present war in Palestine.”on May 9 an update to its investment policy that will see it break ties with multiple businesses, including companies that have connections to the Jewish State.
Union Theological stated: “Over the decades, we have developed what are called ‘socially responsible investment screens’ to express our values and not financially support damaging and immoral investments, including our early divestment from the dehumanizing system of apartheid in South Africa.” “With respect to companies that are profiting from the present war in Palestine, we continue to hold these standards high and have taken steps to identify all investments, both domestic and global, that support and profit from the present killing of innocent civilians in Palestine, whose numbers are now over 34,000 – and a humanitarian crisis of ever-growing magnitude,” it continued.
“Union’s president, faculty, and students have repeatedly made strong public calls for an immediate ceasefire and will continue to do so until this continually escalating war has stopped. These calls are supported by today’s decision by Union’s Investment Committees to withdraw support from companies profiting from the war,” the seminary wrote.
The institution announced that, though its investments in businesses it denounced as alleged war profiteers were not significant, it still hopes divestment would have a beneficial impact: “Although our investments in the war in Palestine are small because our previous, strong anti-armament screens are robust, we hope that our action today will bring needed pressure to bear to stop the killing and find a peaceful future for all.