Monday, January 28, 2008
Further to the post below, Methodists Still Targeting Israel...Through Caterpillar, the UMC has posted video from its Pre-General Conference Briefing. Those interested should look for the Friday, 3PM panel, "Divestment, the Middle East and Sudan," or just click here. Though Sudan is in the title, have no fear, that's just a sop, you know who the real target is.
Caterpillar is not at risk (though the Methodist representative from the area of Cat's plant in Illinois is none-too-pleased with the board -- he speaks at around 51:55) -- I doubt whether the UMC selling its stock would affect the price overmuch, but that's not the point. The point of the divesters is to get the UMC to sell its stock and name the reason for the record. That would be mission accomplished. If their investments people were to simply sell the stock in favor of better investments, that would not be good enough. That's why it matters.
You'll want to watch the presentation by Susanne Hoder which starts around 22:40, then try not to lose your chum when the Jewish Voice for Peacers (JVP) start speechifying at the mic and begging the Christians to please, please divest from us, starting with Mark Braverman at about 46:55. In fact, a special session later with Braverman is touted from podium, so apparently he was there to have quite an impact. Take note of his statement, "Politics has failed..." A perfect encapsulation of the anti-democratic left in action.
Fortunately, Rabbi Gary Greenbaum speaks at about 49:50 and makes a very good point, to paraphrase: "There are more people in this country, I have a feeling, who are aware of this meeting happening today who are Jews and are worried about it than are Methodists..."
If you'd like a taste of how the Methodists are educated in the issues and history, you can see this article from last August: Some Methodists Are on a Mission To Demonize Israel. Here's the UMC Adult Studybook. An emailer suggests that those knowledgeable in history pay special attention to the first seven pages of Appendix D.
Here's a short piece from JTA on the conference: Methodists consider divestment.
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Methodists Discuss Divestment: Video.
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This is a follow-up to the post below, Methodists Discuss Divestment: Video, which contains links to video and some of the objectionable material noted in this Forward article. Sounds grave. Some people haven't figured out that the divestment horse is... Read More
CAMERA's Dexter Van Zile does an excellent job of combing through the 'Mission Study' guide issued by the United Methodist Church to help members understand the Arab/Israeli conflict: Methodist Manual Maligns Israel, Stereotypes Jews. This guide and it... Read More
Susan Hoder, last seen on video here, let's the mask slip in two related pieces on the divestment push on the UMC site here: Bethlehem needs Christian support and at the Star-Telegram: Aiding and abetting occupation: ...In 2004, I traveled... Read More
The 3rd speaker on the videotaped panel discussion, Susanne Hoder, has been written of on Adam Holland's blog . There used to be ... an interesting entry in the bibliography for her "Interfaith Peace Initiative in Providence." Until Adam brought attention to her website (just last October), there was a Holocaust denial title among the books on the list.