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ZOA Demands No Trade with Regimes Persecuting Christians

NEW YORK-- The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has endorsed Congressional legislation to restrict U.S. trade with regimes that persecute Christians. The bill has been introduced by U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Frank Wolf (R- VA).

ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, "The Jews of Israel are a persecuted minority in the Middle East, and as friends of Israel we share the pain of other persecuted minorities, such as Coptic Christians in Egypt, black Christians in the Sudan, and Maronite Christians in Lebanon."

"The American public has a right to expect that the U.S. refrain from propping up regimes that trample on our values," said the ZOA president.

"Senator Specter and Congressman Wolf are to be commended for initiating this important affirmation of America's concern for human rights," the ZOA president added.

The ZOA is also contacting other major Jewish organizations to support the Specter-Wolf bill. "Jewish leaders supported the use of economic sanctions against the Soviet Union for persecuting Soviet Jewry, and against South Africa for persecuting blacks, ZOA president Klein noted. "Christians who are persecuted because of their religious beliefs are no less deserving of the Jewish community's support."