Occidental College Rejects Another Push to Divest From Israel
“follows an April 22 proposal from student activists and an April 24 pro-Palestinian encampment”
BDS Activists think this is their moment. That’s why they’re pushing for this.
Campus Reform reports:
Occidental College rebuffs renewed pro-Palestinian divestment push
Occidental College in Los Angeles has again rejected a student-backed proposal demanding that the school immediately and permanently divest its endowment from companies and investment funds connected to Israel and the war in Gaza.
Board of Trustees Chair Art Peck announced the decision Oct. 14, 2026, following months of pressure from pro-Palestinian activists. Trustees cited concerns about investment diversification, long-term financial stability, and insufficient agreement across the campus community.
The latest rejection follows an April 22 proposal from student activists and an April 24 pro-Palestinian encampment. The campaign sought to pressure college officials into changing how Occidental invests its endowment.
Unlike the 2024 divestment proposal, which focused on four defense-related companies, the 2026 campaign expanded its targets to include other businesses allegedly connected to Israeli military operations and the conflict in Gaza.
The earlier proposal identified Boeing, Caterpillar, Elbit Systems, and Lockheed Martin. The renewed campaign also identified shipping company Maersk and private prison operator GEO Group.
The expanded list raises questions about how Occidental could implement the proposed restrictions without withdrawing from broader investment funds or limiting the endowment’s diversification.
In rejecting the 2024 proposal, trustees disclosed that Occidental held no direct investments in the four targeted companies. Its indirect exposure through pooled investment funds represented less than 0.1 percent of the endowment.
Trustees argued that exiting those funds could harm investment performance while exerting little influence over the companies themselves.
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