In Touch Quarter 3 - 2014

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Presbyterian Church attacks the one Middle Eastern nation that protects Christians In June, the Presbyterian Church in the USA voted to divest from three companies deemed to profit from “Israeli occupation”. The motion passed by an exceptionally narrow margin (310-303) and will mean around $21 million worth of funds will be diverted away from Caterpillar, Motorola and Hewlett-Packard. Speaking immediately after the vote, moderator for the church meeting, Heath Rada said that the decision was, “in no way…a reflection of our lack of love for our Jewish brothers and sisters”. It is unlikely the Jewish community will believe Mr Rada’s words. And why should they? History is full of Christians showing a lack of love toward their Jewish brothers and sisters, in everything from Martin Luther’s anti-Semitic leaflet “On The Jews And Their Lies” to the silence among most Christian leaders during the Holocaust. Divestment may not be as extreme as these horrific examples, but needless to say the motion will do nothing to improve relations between Jews and Christians. Divestment in this case has masqueraded itself as being part of a ‘peaceful pro-justice initiative’. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth as an extremist movement known as BDS has backed the Church’s decision. BDS stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. Its leaders have stated that the movement’s goal is the end of Israel entirely, and they reject a two-state solution (Omar Bargouti, John Spritzler, Ahmed Moor). Even the notoriously pro-Palestinian academic Norman Finklestein has admitted BDS is a “cult” with a “large segment” that wants to “eliminate Israel”. The idea of boycotting everything Israel produces is near impossible for the 21 st Century Westerner. Instant messaging, voicemail technology and even SIM cards were developed in Israel. Boycotting Israel means never using Google (they have offices in Israel). After boycotting Google, you’ll have to burn your mobile phone and laptop. The Presbyterian Church must realise that by listening to the BDS movement they are supporting a movement who are anti-Israel and more importantly anti-peace. It’s a cause that often seems to care more about the destruction of Israel than the wellbeing of Palestinians. What crimes have these three companies committed which warrant divestment? Caterpillar sells bulldozers to the US who then pass them on to Israel. Caterpillar itself does not and never has sold anything to Israel. To repeat, Caterpillar has sold a grand total of zero bulldozers to Israel. Not only does Caterpillar have no say in how its vehicles are resold, but legally the company cannot turn down the US military as a client. Divestment in this case is completely nonsensical. What about Motorola? The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) buys the company’s communication technologies. This is the same IDF that the former commander of the British forces in Afghanistan Col. Richard Kemp praised for doing “more to safeguard the rights of civilians in the combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare.” Finally we turn to Hewlett-Packard who supplies biometric scanners at Israeli checkpoints. These airport security style checkpoints exist to prevent terrorist attacks. It’s ironic that the reason HP got involved was because the Palestinians often complain passing through checkpoints can take hours. HP’s answer was to design technology that would speed up the process without endangering lives. That’s right, HP are helping the Palestinians. Yet the Presbyterians think they’re doing the Palestinians a favour by divesting from this technology. Denominations and Christians across the world must wake up. BDS is anti-peace. It singles out the only democracy in the Middle East for attack. Churches must stop supporting this hateful ideology. There is a tragic irony here. What kind of Church attacks the only Middle Eastern nation that guarantees the safety of Christians? The Presbyterian Church has been at pains to state their action of divestment has nothing to do with BDS. But talk is cheap. Their actions speak volumes. Aiding the 4 // IN TOUCH
mission of BDS is immoral and completely contrary to Christ’s teachings to love your neighbour. It’s time for Christians to say enough is enough and support our Jewish brothers and sisters. Given our history, rejecting BDS really is the very least that we can do. Christians who understand God’s heart and plans for the Jewish people should also be active in praying for those in the Presbyterian Church who opposed this motion. Across all denominations both in the UK and US there are believers who are fighting both on the front lines and behind the scenes to make sure that Biblical truth about Israel triumphs. Their efforts to oppose anti-Israel rulings should be praised. By Sam Hailes Where’s the Word Study? Eagle-eyed readers will notice that John C.P. Smith’s Hebrew Word Study is missing from this edition of In Touch. Please keep John in your prayers as he moves with his family to the United States to undertake a Masters Degree in Hebrew and Semitic Languages. We’re hopeful that the Word Study will return next issue. Thank you for your understanding. Calendars now available Get your orders in for our new Biblical 16 month Calendar. Sixteen unique photographs make each page suitable for framing. All major Jewish and Israeli holidays are marked and explained. New Area Rep We are pleased to announce a new CFI-UK Area Representative has joined the team. Elaine Elcock will be taking on the area that C h r i s t i n e Sherrard used to cover – Y o r k / S e l b y , D o n c a s t e r , Leeds area. Our Church Liaison Officer David Soakell writes, “I’ve known Elaine for quite a few years now having met her at the various conferences we have done, and have been discussing the possibility of her becoming a Rep for the past few months. A former teacher, she has worked out in Israel and is already looking to set up an Israel Prayer Group in her area. I am delighted to welcome Elaine on board.” Find us at the Summer Festivals CFI-UK will be exhibiting at the following events: • New Wine 26 th July–1 st August (Week 1) 3 rd –9 th August (Week 2) Bath and West Showground, Somerset. www.new-wine.org 16 months // Calendar // £9.00 (incl. UK p&p) • Momentum 22 nd –26 th August. Bath and West Showground, Somerset. www.momentum.co.uk • C h r i s t i a n R e s o u r c e s E x h i b i t i o n (CRE) 8 th –9 th October. EventCity, Manchester. www.creonline.co.uk facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk
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In Touch Quarter 3 - 2014

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