Protesting divestment may not have the desired financial impact
- Protesters at Columbia University demand divestment from companies linked to Israel
- Divestment campaign and academic ties boycott can only succeed by isolating Israel culturally
- Financial impact of divestment would be negligible
- Small changes in share prices have no effect on corporate investing decisions
- Companies important to Israel’s military and fossil fuel production are supported by governments
- Divestment should target governments and persuade users to cut back
Student protesters at Columbia University are demanding that the institution sell its investments in companies linked to Israel. However, the financial impact of divestment would be negligible, leaving the protesters worse off and Israel’s friends better off. Divestment campaigns and academic ties boycotts can only succeed by isolating Israel culturally, not financially. Even if universities were to sell their stocks, there are plenty of other investors willing to buy them for purely financial reasons. Additionally, companies important to Israel’s military and fossil fuel production are supported by governments, making divestment ineffective. Instead, divestment efforts should target governments and persuade users to cut back on their support.
Factuality Level: 2
Factuality Justification: The article contains a significant amount of opinion presented as fact, biased language, and misleading information. It also includes tangential information and irrelevant comparisons that distract from the main topic.
Noise Level: 2
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed analysis of the student protests at Columbia University regarding divestment from companies linked to Israel. It explores the financial implications of such divestment campaigns and draws parallels with other divestment movements. The article stays on topic, supports its claims with evidence and examples, and offers insights into the potential ineffectiveness of divestment strategies. Overall, the article is focused, informative, and intellectually rigorous.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The article discusses the impact of divestment campaigns on universities and their investments in companies linked to Israel. It also mentions the potential financial effects of demands for divestment from fossil fuel companies.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Rating Justification: The article primarily focuses on the financial implications of divestment campaigns and the potential ineffectiveness of such actions. It does not describe any extreme events or their impacts.
Public Companies: Microsoft (MSFT)
Key People: Morton Schapiro (Former Northwestern President)
Reported publicly:
www.wsj.com 
