Next week, one of the world's most important elections will be held. The European Parliament elections take place from June 4th to the 7th.
These elections could well shape the destiny of Europe for years to come. Twenty-seven member states will elect 736 members to the European Parliament to represent nearly a half a billion people. It's the largest transnational election in European history.
Given their significance, the European Coalition for Israel (ECI) is trying to inform and mobilize Christians throughout Europe with a media campaign. The ECI believes Christians can play a pivotal role in these elections. Their campaign includes these two videos: www.youtube.com/prayandvote2009 www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0d5l5aZwpM
They also have a Web site at www.prayandvote2009.eu
They're highlighting three main issues: the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, the erosion of Christian values throughout Europe, and the nuclear threat Iran poses to Israel and the world.
Concerning the Iranian nuclear threat, ECI campaign director Tomas Sandell commented, "It is alarming that a leader who promises the destruction of the Jewish state can be invited to address a UN Conference against Racism here in Europe. Christians in the 30´s probably had more of an excuse not to know what Hitler was up to at the time than the world community today, which is perfectly aware of the plans and intentions of the Iranian leader [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad.”
They want to encourage pro-Israel candidates with Judeo-Christian values. With a record low turnout expected, the ECI believes every vote will be crucial and that Christians have a duty to pray and vote. Sandell notes Europe's history has shown only too dramatically what happens when Christians do not get involved.