Dr. Michael D. Evans - Defender of the Jews Worldwide

Despite Sanctions U.S. Exports to Iran Increase

In spite of increased U.S. sanctions against Iran, exports to the Islamic Republic have increased by nearly one-third this year. The jump from just over $150 million last year to more than $199 million in the first eight months of 2012 is attributed largely to $89 million in wheat and other grain sales. That represents a four-fold increase in grain sales from 2011.

Without the wheat sales, American exports to Iran would have dropped overall with sharp declines in some areas. For example, medicinal and pharmaceutical products fell from $26 million to $15 million, while pulp and waste paper sank from $41 to $17 million.

The U.S., its European allies and other nations have imposed economic sanctions on Iran in an attempt to get them to stop their uranium enrichment program and answer questions about their nuclear programs. Iran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons and says its atomic program is only for peaceful purposes such as generating electricity and producing medical isotopes.

As a result of the sanctions some non-profit groups and members of Congress have argued for measures ensuring that the banking sanctions don’t cut off humanitarian trade. "The Administration's sanctions against Iran have created a de-facto humanitarian banking blockade," said Kate Gould, legislative associate for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

Shawna Morris, vice president for trade policy at the National Milk Producers Federation & US Dairy Export Council, says her organization also supports the humanitarian exemption. "For the goals of that humanitarian exemption to be fulfilled, it must be clearly applied to not only the permission to sell the agricultural products covered by that exemption but also the related banking transactions needed to actually carry out the sale," she said.

In Psalm 72:12-14, God promises to deliver the needy when they cry for help and have compassion on them. He does that most often through people who have a heart for those in need. While economic sanctions against Iran may harm some innocent people, their intent is to pressure the Islamic Republic to give up on their nuclear weapons program. Pray world leaders will be able to strike the proper balance between sanctions that get Iran’s attention and compassion for those in need.  Pray for peace in Jerusalem.

To read the original Jerusalem Post story, click here.

Muslim Groups Protest Jordanian Ambassador to Israel

On September 28^th, the country of Jordan appointed Walid Obeidat, a career diplomat as its new ambassador to Israel.  He is set to assume his new post on October 17^th.  His assignment came at the designation of Jordan’s Council of Ministers.  The ambassador’s position has been vacant since Israel’s battle with Hamas in the winter of 2008-2009. 

The Muslim Brotherhood and the Obeidat tribe are vehemently protesting the appointment with the Brotherhood calling it “an act of provocation towards Jordanians” and the tribe objecting that it is “a despicable act that contradicts the positions of the tribe and its successive generations.” 

The tribe, one of the most powerful families in Jordan has issued a statement in which it has threatened to disown Obeidat for “agreeing to shake the hand of those who usurped the land, killed and displaced Palestinians and desecrated Islamic holy sites.”  Reaffirming their agenda as “liberating all Palestine, from the river to the sea,” the tribe said the ambassador would be “crossing all red lines and bringing disgrace and harm to his nation and clan” if he actually assumes the post, which he is expected to do. 

Jordan is the only nation other than Egypt that has a peace treaty with Israel.  However the Obeidat tribe and other Jordanian clans have denounced the treaty as a “stain of shame” on the Jordanian government.  The tribal statement said, “This tribe was, and will remain, loyal to its nation and will not reconcile with its enemies, in order to liberate all Palestinian land.” 

The Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic terrorist organization masquerading as a political party and a charity, is considered Jordan’s main opposition group.  They operate in Jordan as the Islamic Action Front political party.  Their statement said that the appointment is “a decision that runs counter to the interests of Jordan” and that it is based on “the framework of the peace treaty which has been rejected by the Jordanian people.”  The MB has already been calling on King Abdullah II to change the form of government in Jordan to a constitutional monarchy. 

Now here’s the rub.  While Jordan has enjoyed a relatively peaceful relationship with Israel, it is the last remaining nation bordering Israel that has not been harboring terrorists and whose government has not been toppled by Islamic extremists in the name of democratic rule.  How long do you think it will be before we witness the Jordanian version of the Arab Spring?  The United States was instrumental in urging King Abdullah to appoint an ambassador to Israel.  Was that done to encourage peace?  Or was it done to incite rebellion?  Time will tell.  The US has supported the rebels in the recent overthrow of the other Middle Eastern rulers.  In each case, the new and “duly elected” leaders have been or are closely associated with anti-Israeli, extremist Muslim organizations.  

The Muslims are on the way to capturing the flags of all nations.  Israel is in their crosshairs.  With the US compromising our alliance with Israel, cozying up to the Muslim Brotherhood and the OIC, and with a self-proclaimed Muslim president, (Yes, he also says he is a Christian, but he can’t be both), we are being led across a red line into Muslim domination of the US.  It may be that we have already crossed it. 

Dear friends, we must pray for peace-loving people everywhere, and especially for Israel.  Unless Jehovah intervenes, many of us who are called His children may have to give our lives as testimony of our devotion to Him and Him alone.  He can intervene is ways that we do not understand.  He is the God of the impossible situation.  Call on Him now, with us, to protect and grant peace where there is no peace.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  Our fight is not with flesh and blood, (Ephesians 6:11-18) except where the satanic forces of evil are moving men to destroy Jews, Christians, and anyone of any faith other than Islam. 

For more information on this subject see the Israeli International News, the Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, and Ahram Online.