Join two strong Jewish supporters – Rep. Paul Rosenthal and author Rich Forer – in a debate on whether Colorado should divest from companies supporting BDS against Israel.

Legislation currently pending before the Colorado Senate (HB-1284) would require Colorado’s Pension Program (PERA) to divest from foreign companies that support BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) against Israel for its alleged Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Territories (West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem) and goes to the Colorado Senate this week.  Some object that to support BDS against Israel is anti-Semitic.  Proponents of BDS in this context, such as Bishop Desmond Tutu, compare it to the successful BDS applied by the United States and American companies to South Africa to end Apartheid in South Africa, and say the occupation is just as bad or worse than Apartheid was in South Africa.  Should the Colorado legislature involve itself in foreign affairs?  Should we support Israel or the Palestinians in this situation?

Paul Rosenthal is a Colorado state legislator whose district includes our church.  He attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem from 1994-1995, and visited Israel and Palestinian Territories in 2014.  He is active in the Jewish community, and attends events sponsored by J Street, World Denver, U. of Denver Korbel School, and AIPAC in order to get a well-rounded view of global affairs.  Rich Forer is a former member of AIPAC (American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) whose views on Israel-Palestine have changed dramatically as he studied the history and situation more closely.  He is the author of Breakthrough: Transforming Fear into Compassion – A New Perspective on the Israel-Palestine Conflict.

Please join us and participate in this important discussion.