The Muck in the U.S. Finances and Israeli
In The Middle: Hopeful Signs from Peter Miller
Hampshire College
On Saturday, March 10, 1979, Hampshire College became the first American college to divest from Apartheid South Africa. Although Apartheid wasn’t ended for another 15 years, Hampshire College’s decision was a critical first step. Hampshire was the first of 155 American colleges and universities to eventually divest from South Africa. The divestment movement grew to include individuals, cities, corporations, and even the U.S. Federal Government. As billions of dollars of capital were pulled from the economy, the South African government was forced to engage in negotiations that eventually led to the end of the Apartheid system.
On Saturday, February 7, 2009, Hampshire College became the first American college to divest from companies that benefit from the Israeli Occupation.
The effort to divest from Israel is gaining steam. Click here or here for links to a few of the campaigns that are underway. I find the denominational campaigns to be the most interesting. As a Mennonite, I’m particularly fascinated by what the Mennonite Church is saying. In 2007 a Mennonite delegation visited Palestine and Israel and issued a statement that called for people “to avoid investments which violate international law and promote violence.” As far as I know, the church has not yet made a binding decision on this point. But I do find their words heartening. I pray that the Mennonite Church will have the courage to turn these words into action.
How quickly things get mucky. Hampshire College issues statement of clarification about investment fund and responds to an Alan Dershowitz’s article “Stop contributing to Hampshire College” in the Jerusalem Post.
