FT. WORTH--Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East applauded the United Methodist Church for rejecting divestment from companies doing business with Israel.Five annual conferences of the United States and an independent Methodist organization had submitted divestment petitions for consideration at the General Conference held here last week.
The Methodist Federation for Social Action, that touts itself as an independent Methodist group, and the others made the petitions.
The General Conference delegates defeated the petitions.
Rev. Archer Summers, pastor of the Palo Alto United Methodist Church, had co-authored a series of letters and mailings to delegates urging them to vote against divestment.
“I had faith that reason and justice would prevail in my denomination,” Rev. Summers said, “and it did.”
“We met wonderful United Methodist clergy and lay delegates who rejected the extremist positions of pro-divestment voices,” Sr. Ruth Lautt, director of Fair Witness, said, “and, instead, they were seeking ways to promote peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.”
Bishop Robert E. Hayes Jr., the presiding prelate of the Oklahoma Conference of the denomination, was among those opposing the divestment petitions.
