Ohio State student government votes down Israel boycott and divestment resolution

The Undergraduate Student Government of the Ohio State University has voted down a resolution to divest from companies which “benefit from the Israeli occupation of Palestine,” and to boycott Israeli products.

The resolution has failed by a vote of 7 in favor and 33 against. It would not have been binding on the university administration.

The resolution specifically named the companies G4S, Caterpillar Inc., Sabra Dipping Company and Hewlett-Packard. Ohio State’s $3.6 billion endowment fund and $6.1 billion in revenue have investments in those companies, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The resolution also called for “an academic boycott of Israeli universities, including cancellations of currently invited speakers and visiting professors, and to ending existing programs or relationships with Israeli universities.”

— JTA