Ohio USG passes resolution urging university to divest from 2 companies doing business in ‘Israel’

Ohio (QNN)- The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) at Ohio State University passed an emergency resolution calling on the University to divest from two companies with Israel business ties.

During a General Assembly meeting Wednesday, 7 April, the USG passed the resolution with a majority of 14 votes in favour of the resolution, eight votes against, and two abstentions.

Around 200 people gathered in Independence Hall during the meeting in which senators voted on the bill.

The resolution was voted on by secret ballot at 10:23 p.m. — 22 minutes before the building closed, The Lantern reported.

According to a copy of the bill obtained by The Lantern, the sponsors — Sens. Rama Naboulsi, Yondris Ferguson, John Fuller and Suhavi Salmon-Rekhi — look for the university to divest from Caterpillar Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

They said the two companies targeted with the resolution contribute to human rights violations against the Palestinians by providing technology and tools to the Israeli military.

The resolution says, “Hewlett Packard Enterprise has provided technology used by the Israeli military which facilitates discrimination against Palestinians, restrict their freedom of movement and limit their access to education, employment and medical care.”

Meanwhile, “Caterpillar Inc. provides engineering tools and bulldozers used to expand settlements in Palestine, construct a separation wall in the West Bank and Demolish Palestinian homes and refugee camps” the resolution also states.

“By investing in such companies, The Ohio State University complicitly condones and profits from the decisions and actions of these companies and as such, becomes guilty by association when such consequences from the actions and divestments of these companies, including but certainly not limited to, the killing of innocent civilians,” the resolution adds.

University spokesperson Ben Johnson said in a statement the university’s endowment is not funded with tuition or fees, and the university “encourages students, faculty and staff to engage in discussion and debate.”

He said Ohio State also complies with all state laws regarding investments.

“The university follows all applicable laws regarding investments, including state laws specifically addressing this issue,” Johnson said.