The U.S. and Greece have been making some bold moves in support of Israel recently. This in the face of the Palestinians claiming that they will go to the U.N. as soon as the beginning of this coming week to, “file with the UN Security Council a request for admission to the United Nations as a full member recognized as an independent state within the 1967 borders,” according to Debka.
By Friday afternoon, the U.S. House had “voted 407-6 to pass a non-binding resolution backing the suspension of funds to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority should it pursue its bid for a unilateral declaration of statehood by the United Nations in September,” according to Israel National News. More good news on this for those who are choosing to stand with Israel is that the U.S. Senate had passed a similar resolution last week.
Virginia Representative and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor commented, “We stand by Israel as our most valued ally. It is time for the Palestinian Authority to accept a peaceful solution to this conflict.”
Cantor also pointed out back in February that a primary goal of U.S. policy ought to be to stop the spread of radical Islam. This was mentioned in connection with the protests going on in Cairo Egypt at the time, along with the hope that a democratic society that “stands for human rights, progress and equal opportunity” could actually result.
Even as Cantor pointed out what ought to be a primary goal of U.S. policy, a congressional race in Minnesota is gaining attention as a Democrat Muslim, Keith Ellison, defends his seat against a non-Muslim and Republican, Lynne Torgerson, according to One News Now It would be interesting to know how he voted on the resolution even as Torgerson questions his willingness to but the U.S. Constitution above sharia law. Especially since Ellison is allegedly associated with Islamic groups such as The Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Believe it or not, even Democrat Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland expressed support for the resolution, commenting that, “the long-term viability of the Jewish democratic state peace must be negotiated. It cannot and will not be imposed from the outside.”
As for the flotilla that has been persistently attempting to break Israel’s blockade, Greece has thwarted another ship, though perhaps only temporarily. The French ship The Dignity was captured while refueling at sea and was towed back to the port Sitia to have its papers checked, according to the Jerusalem Post. This would be the third ship that Greece has stopped, even as it keeps a wary eye on the other seven others.
Since those who support Palestine haven’t had much luck by sea, they are now taking to the air in their attempts to reach Gaza – not that this move has been successful either. Another Jerusalem Post article reports that about 65 activists were met by the police for questioning upon their arrival at Ben-Guridon International Airport on Friday.
Meanwhile, even as Rep Cantor has mentioned the importance of taking a stand against human rights abuses, a group of Christian business people are attempting to take a stand against human rights abuses in China, according to the Christian Newswire.
More specifically, agroup of investment managers has initiated a divestment campaign against publicly traded companies that are state-owned by the government of China. The move is intended as a sanction against the Chinese government for their persecution of Christians and for the violation of human and religious rights.
China's government is cited for religious and human rights violations by organizations such as International Christian Concern, Open Doors USA, and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, all of whom not only identify, but also document religious and human rights violations.
These money and investment managers stress that it’s essential to put a stop to enabling China's government in their violation of religious and human rights through investments in their publicly traded state-owned companies. They believe that most people would not knowingly want their investment monies to support the brutal violation of human and religious rights.
Interestingly, the challenge is coming at a time when, according to The New York Times, China is raising interest rates in an attempt to slow inflation and the spike in housing prices brought about by “ample lending.” Friday is the fifth time in nine months that interest rates in China have been increased. In other words, China has a housing bubble very similar to the one in the U.S. that recently exploded. And when it finally blows, it’s going to be ugly.
While these financial professionals are encouraging the avoidance of investing in state-owned Chinese stocks, they point out that China and its people offer many other investment opportunities through companies that are not owned by China's government.
An organizer of DivestPersecution, Tom Fyler, President of Commodities & Securities, Inc., emphasizes that, "The primary purpose of this effort is to raise awareness about the persecution of Christians and the violation of human and religious rights that occur daily worldwide." This effort encourages financial and other means of support to organizations that advocate on behalf of people impacted by these abuses.
For more information about DivestPersecution please visit www.DivestPersecution.com.
