As the British University and College Union decides against implementing its proposed boycott of the Jewish state due legal difficulties, the Methodist Church is considering divesting from companies that provide Israel with equipment for maintaining law and order in the Palestinian territories. The UCU has sought legal advice on its boycott of Israeli academia and has been told that such a boycott would run foul of anti-discrimination legislation in the United Kingdom. The UCU's decision to boycott Israel was strongly criticized by the UK government, and professors from leading British universities stated it was hard to find any explanation for the resolution other than plain old anti-Semitism. The UCU has dropped plans for an academic boycott of Israel, but is pressing ahead in other areas where it can legally demonize Israel.

Quote: "Foreign Minister Tzipi welcomed the UCU decision. She said that "the suspension of the impending boycott is important news for the Israeli academia. It supports the internationally held view that limiting the freedom of speech in academia is inherently wrong." She also said that it "proves that joint efforts can foil a cynical political move to undermine Israel's international legitimacy."

No such hope for the United Methodist Church. The denomination's official lobby office is urging church agencies and members to divest from companies such as Caterpillar, who supply Israel with equipment used to bulldoze the homes of known Palestinian terrorists. The Israeli government had a policy of bulldozing the homes of suicide bombers, the idea being that would-be terrorists might reconsider perpetrating an attack against Israeli civilians if they knew their families might suffer as a result. Homes along the Gaza border, complete with underground tunnels for used for smuggling weapons in from Egypt, were also demolished by the IDF. But the United Methodist Church turns a blind eye to mass murder, as it sees Israel - the Jewish people - as the prime cause of conflict in the region... and that is plain old anti-Semitism.

Quote: "United Methodist General Board of Church and Society sponsored the resolution, accusing Caterpillar of facilitating Israel's destruction of Palestinian property. Caterpillar, along with Israel, was the target of a lawsuit by the family of Rachel Corrie after the activist was crushed by a bulldozer in 2003 while attempting to block the destruction of a Palestinian home used to facilitate arms smuggling. The resolution will go before the United Methodist General Conference in April 2008.

The United Methodists have apparently around $5 million worth of shares invested in Caterpillar. What on earth a church is doing investing God's money in stocks and shares is beyond me. Like the one talent servant, this church will soon find its Lord inquiring what they have done with His goods, and especially what they have done with His chosen people, the Jews.

Matthew 25:28-30
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Thus the United Methodist Church has joined the ranks of denominations and organizations that are pressing for the division of God's land. Looking at the amount of support for this anti-Scriptural endeavour gives us a glimpse into how close we are to the fulfilment of prophecy and the tribulation period.

Jeremiah 31:35-37
Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

Source Haaretz, WorldNetDaily