The group "supports divestment, the right of return for all Palestinians, immediate Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories and describes Zionism as racism."

In July 2012, the Episcopal Church adopted a resolution at its General Convention Assembly that supported "a negotiated two-state solution" and "positive investment" rather than divestment from Israel.

Both Democrats say they support divestment, while Mr. Regan warns it could force the state to lose hundreds of millions of dollars.

The conference included presentations by a number of American, Palestinian, Jewish, and Israeli academics and speakers supporting divestment from the state of Israel.

Plitnick emphasized that JVP supports "selective and targeted divestment that is aimed exclusively at the occupation, not at Israel itself."

NGO Monitor said that KAIROS supports Israel Apartheid Week, the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, and "generates hostility to Israel."

"I have respect for the work he's done in the last couple of years to support divestment and to promote recycling."

In April 2008, the CUPW became the first national union in North America to pass a resolution supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

Adams, the Smithsonian's chief executive, said: "A majority, although not all, supported divestment.