United Auto Workers delegates on Thursday voted in a narrow decision to amend their constitution prohibiting investment in Israel Bonds, a mark of a sea change in the union's politics, according to experts.
The passage is expected to result in the divestment of at least $400,000 in Israel Bonds, according to the passed resolution and the Unite All for Workers for Democracy caucus within the Detroit-based union focused on "class struggle" that pushed for the resolution. Israel Bonds is the common name for Development Corp. for Israel, which is the broker-dealer that underwrites and markets debt securities issued by the State of Israel in the United States. Proceeds from the sales support Israel's government.
"I don't just hope, but I know," said Olga Karounos, 33, a public defender in Brooklyn, New York, from Local 2325 who made a motion to call the amendment out of committee, "that this is going to send a message to — not just the billionaire class — but to politicians and any single person who is not afraid of standing up to genocide, to (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, to the United States government, and will put the UAW again on the map for standing for international solidarity."
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