How divestment for Palestinian rights is gaining ground

Over the past year, we've witnessed a groundswell of activism for Palestinian rights across the U.S. Students, faith leaders, and community organizers are pushing harder than ever for institutions to divest from the ongoing genocide in Gaza—and many are finally responding. 

Since 2012, AFSC has provided technical and strategic support to divestment campaigns nationwide and beyond. Our Action Center for Corporate Accountability tracks companies complicit in Israeli violations of Palestinian rights. We generate a divestment list, which has become a key resource for activists. This year, we have seen a surge in requests for support and have helped dozens of student groups and activists in their campaigns. 

Despite what some might think, divestment isn’t just about money; it does not immediately harm companies’ bottom line. Instead, it sends a powerful political message about what business practices we consider ethical or unethical. Both companies and governments—of Israel and the U.S.—take seriously the political and reputational impacts of divestment. In many cases, they have gone out of their way to oppose our divestment efforts, including passing legislation. 

In spite of these challenges, the divestment movement is seeing historic wins. From universities to city halls, institutions across the U.S. have started responding to the pressure of persistent activism. Here we look at some milestones in the movement over the past year. 

University students take the lead  

One of our most significant achievements was at San Francisco State University. It became the first university ever to divest for Palestinian rights. In May, following a two-week student encampment, SFSU agreed to divest from the weapons industry. It also agreed to add human rights language to its existing investment policy statement. 

AFSC sat on the task force established by the university, which included students, faculty, investment consultants, and foundation representatives. Over the summer, the task force met every two weeks to craft the language for the new policy. By the end of the summer, SFSU applied a new human rights screen on its investments. In that process, it sold the shares it held in Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin, Leonardo, and Palantir, four companies on the divestment list. 

Although SFSU fell short of meeting all the students’ demands, it should be commended. The school has taken its students seriously and views them as important stakeholders in the decision-making process over the university’s investments. This is especially important considering how most universities have disregarded their students’ call for divestment. Some even unleashed police forces to violently dismantle student non-violent encampments. 

SFSU’s actions demonstrate that even a large public school can divest if it wants to. Other institutions of higher education have taken similar actions, including SUNY’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Union Theological Seminary. A few other universities and colleges started processes that have not concluded yet. 

Cities and congregations step up  

In September, the city of Portland, Maine became the first on the East Coast to divest for Palestinian rights. This achievement came after months of advocacy from activists, with support from AFSC.  

The Portland City Council voted unanimously on a resolution to divest from companies complicit in the crisis in Gaza and the occupation of Palestine. The resolution, which was brought forward by Maine Coalition for Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, also directs the city manager to avoid future investments in these companies or in Israeli bonds. In that process, the city sold shares it held in L3Harris, one of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers. 

While San Francisco State University and the city of Portland represent significant wins, they are among over two dozen successful divestment campaigns across the country this year (see a full list of divestments). AFSC has provided critical support to several of these efforts, including: 

• City of Richmond, California: In April, the Richmond city council voted to divest from companies involved in Israel's violation of Palestinian rights. The decision also covered divestment from companies involved in prison labor, mass surveillance, and U.S.-Mexico border issues. 
• City of Alameda, California: After months of activism by Alameda Families and Friends for Ceasefire, the city council updated its investment policy. The new policy prohibits investments in industries contributing to weapons of any kind, tobacco consumption, gambling, and fossil fuels—emphasizing investments that support people and the planet. 
• United Methodist Church: UMC church voted against investing in bonds from Israel, Turkey, and Morocco because these states are “holding subject populations under prolonged military occupation.” This is the first such divestment action by a major Christian denomination. It follows previous decisions by the Methodist Church to divest from companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements and other violations of Palestinian human rights. 
• Presbyterian Church (USA): In July, the General Assembly of the Church voted to divest from bonds issued by the governments of Israel, Morocco, and Turkey, as part of a commitment to not invest in "countries that are currently maintaining a prolonged military occupation and have been subject to United Nations resolutions related to their occupation." 

These victories represent more than just financial shifts—they signal a major change in how institutions are held accountable for their complicity in state violence. 

Looking ahead 

As genocide in Gaza enters its second year, it is heartbreaking that it took aggression and death of this magnitude to spur institutions to do the right thing. But the progress represents a huge leap forward. It is proof of the power of grassroots organizing to effect meaningful change. 

To end the oppression of Palestinians, we must use every tool at our disposal, and economic pressure remains one of the most powerful. It is also what Palestinian civil society is repeatedly asking us to do. 

The activists I’ve worked with inspire me daily. Their determination and dedication will carry this movement forward. Now, more than ever, we must build on this momentum and divest.