Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton reaffirmed her opposition to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction movement, or BDS, an international effort to pressure Israel economically over the Palestinian issue. She told Jewish leaders that the movement “is not a path to peace” but “seeks to punish Israel.” The United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (USA) and other smaller denominations are active in the crusade. The BDS movement seeks to divest from companies that profit from the Israeli occupation and boycott products from Israeli settlements.

Clinton’s announcement came just as her denomination, the United Methodist Church, is expected to vote on its involvement in the BDS movement. The United Methodist Church began its 10-day conference (May 10-20) in Portland, Oregon this week. The conference is held every four years. Delegates will also be revisiting the decades-long contentious debate on whether to lift prohibitions on practicing gay clergy and same-sex weddings.