The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today welcomed a decision by the Professional Staff Congress, the union representing employees of the City University of New York (CUNY), to divest from Israeli companies and bonds.
Thursday night, delegates of the union voted 73-70 in favor of a resolution to divest from Israeli companies and government bonds, identify other potential investments for divestment, and recommend that the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) pension plan also divest its $100 million invested in Israeli companies and bonds.
SEE: City University of New York Union Votes to Divest from Israel – Left Voice
“We welcome this show of solidarity with the people of Gaza by the faculty and staff of CUNY and urge the university to heed their call,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “American universities should not maintain economic ties with a state that has committed genocide and crimes against humanity.”
CAIR-New Jersey has previously welcomed the decision by Rutgers University’s faculty unions to divest from corporations involved in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.
CAIR-Los Angeles has previously welcomed the United Teachers Los Angeles union’s vote supporting congressional efforts to block the sale of more than $20 billion in U.S. weapons to Israel.
NOTE: As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, CAIR does not endorse or oppose candidates for office, and makes no claims as to the favorability of one candidate being elected over another.
CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., Executive Director, [email protected], 917-669-4006;
Saira Amar, MPA, CAIR-NY, Communications Coordinator, [email protected]