Anti-Israel boycott movement
Anti-Israel boycott movementReuters

A leading Mennonite group on Thursday delayed a decision on divesting from companies with business tied to Judea and Samaria, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

The Mennonite Church USA was set to vote this week on whether it should sell off stock in companies "known to be profiting from the occupation" and from "destruction of life and property" in Judea and Samaria.

However, a church spokeswoman said delegates at a national meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, voted 418-336 to table the resolution until their next assembly two years from now.

28 delegates abstained, according to AP.

The Mennonite Church USA has about 95,000 members and is one of about 40 U.S. Mennonite groups, the report noted.

The group’s decision came just several days after the United Church of Christ's (UCC) voted to boycott and divest from companies operating in Judea and Samaria.

The resolution passed easily with a majority of 508 to 124, and 38 abstentions. It calls for the boycott, divestment and sanctions of "companies deemed supportive of Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories."

Israel's Foreign Ministry blasted the UCC’s decision as "immoral," adding that "people of faith and religion should work to facilitate peace and not try to hurt the side [Israel] aspiring for peace."