US universities stand firm against pressure to divest from Israel-linked companies

Despite increasing pressure from pro-Palestinian students on US campuses, no university endowment in the country has divested from companies linked to Israel, according to a report by the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, founded in 2005 by Columbia University alumnus Omar Barghouti, has been at the forefront of the campaign for Palestinian rights. While some universities have seen faculty and student votes in favor of divestment, none have taken concrete action to sell shares.

The recent protests on campuses across the US have highlighted the calls for divestment, particularly in response to the violence in Gaza caused by Israel’s retaliation against Hamas. However, legal and practical obstacles, as well as concerns about violating federal laws, have prevented universities from taking action.

Despite the challenges, Barghouti remains optimistic about the impact of BDS, targeting specific companies and products that directly contribute to Israel’s actions. The movement’s current list includes arms suppliers like Elbit Systems and multinational corporations like Intel and Chevron.

While some universities have engaged in discussions with protesters and proposed mechanisms for reviewing student demands, the issue of divestment remains contentious. The lack of transparency in university finances and pressure from donors have also been cited as factors influencing the resistance to divest.

As the debate continues, the BDS movement remains committed to its goal of ending Israel’s military occupation and upholding the rights of Palestinian refugees, even as universities grapple with the complexities of divestment.