August 10, 2007
Without even knowing it, your retirement money could be sponsoring terrorism or the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Many 401(K) programs are funneling money into Iran, the world’s number-one state-sponsor of terrorism and the greatest external threat facing Israel. By following these four easy steps you can insure that not a single cent of your pension goes to the Iranian government.
JCRC’s approach to addressing the Iranian threat is to urge the use of meaningful and effective sanctions, as well as offers of incentives and positive international engagement to deter Iran’s regime from continuing its quest for nuclear weapons. (View JCRC’s statement on Iran)
Tip One
Visit the Conflict Securities Advisory Group’s website on Terror-Free Investing and follow their tips for working with your financial advisor to strip your investments of ties to terrorism.
Tip Two
Encourage your friends and relatives to divest, too: this is a groundswell movement gaining increasing attention and popularity across the country. Your individual advocacy is important to continuing this trend.
Tip Three
Support various legislative initiatives to divest from Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Sudan. Urge your California Assembly Members to co-sponsor AB 221, the California Public Divest from Iran Act. This legislation requires the state’s public pension system to review its holdings and divest from companies investing in Iran’s energy and defense sectors.
The Senate Appropriations Committee is taking up AB 221 on August 20th. Please contact your State Senator ASAP.
Tip Four
Call your financial advisor and ask if any of the portfolio companies held for your 401(K) do business with rouge states or are currently violating the Iran–Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (ILSA).
With your help we can keep funds away from Iran’s nuclear program.
Sincerely,
Yitzhak Santis
Jewish Community Relations Council