Israel Pro-Life Group Helps Pregnant Women in Crisis Situations
Jerusalem, Israel (LifeNews.com) -- Be'ad Chaim is a pro-life organisation based in Israel, helping pregnant women who are in a crisis situation. The Christian magazine Cross Rhythms spoke with Sandy Shoshani to discuss the group's work. Be'ad Chaim have counselors in four different cities in Israel with a vision of opening two more offices. They are currently based in Jerusalem, Tiberius, Beersheba and Haifa. "When a woman calls she can ask any question she wants about pregnancy, about abortion information and the dangers of abortion and how to become pregnant. Anything that is relevant to an unborn child," Shoshani said. "Then we will invite her to our office to watch a DVD about baby development and do a free pregnancy test and ultrasound." Shoshani added: "During the pregnancy we will encourage her and be with her for support. After the birth we will offer her support with a project called Operation Moses. A family abroad is able to adopt a mother so we will provide that mother with a baby bed, a bath, a stroller, car seat, carry on chair, basically anything that the mother will need after her pregnancy including blankets and bottles." Israel sees about 40,000 abortions annually so the service is vitally needed.

Virginia Republican Party's Loyalty Oath Blasted by Pro-Life Group
Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) -- This week the Republican Party of Virginia passed a new requirement for people wishing to vote in the state's presidential primary. The new policy requires that 2008 GOP primary voters sign an oath of loyalty to the eventual GOP presidential nominee. But pro-life advocate Tony Perkins, the head of the Family Research Council, decried the idea because the eventual nominee could be pro-abortion candidate Rudy Giuliani -- someone pro-life advocates likely won't support. "Should a pro-abortion candidate win the Republican nomination, committed pro-life voters who sign this oath could face a general election scenario of either breaking their oath or violating their conscience," he told LifeNews.com. "This bullying tactic will only drive voters away and worsen the wounds inflicted on the Virginia GOP in recent elections," he said. Perkins said that if the party is concerned about attracting loyalty, it might reflect on the example of Ronald Reagan, who expanded the GOP coalition and attracted new voters by espousing and articulating his pro-life optimistic vision for America. He concluded, "Rejuvenating any political party begins not with a loyalty oath from voters but with renewing the party's loyalty to its voters."

Ohio Abstinence Education Backers Fight to Try to Save State Funding
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- Hundreds of citizens from across Ohio rallied at the Ohio State Capitol last week to urge Governor Strickland to accept free federal funds for abstinence education and stop diverting money approved by the Ohio State Assembly expressly for abstinence education. "The Ohio State Assembly unanimously supported accepting federal abstinence money during the budget debates, and Governor Strickland - once an abstinence education supporter -- has now rejected their intentions and put Ohio students' health at risk, " said Valerie Huber, Executive Director, National Abstinence Education Association. Governor Strickland supported abstinence education as a U.S. Congressman, but as governor has vetoed federal abstinence education funds. Andrew Pickard, a student at Chanel High School, says abstinence programs are a good idea. "Ohio's students deserve to know the truth about the risks of casual sex, but Governor Strickland's action means we could lose these programs, and I think a lot of students won't have the skills to make the best choice for their futures."

Naperville, Illinois Next to Take Up Parental Involvement Abortion Law
Naperville, IL (LifeNews.com) -- With the city of Aurora having approved a measure urging state officials to implement the parental notification on abortion law the state legislature approved several years ago, Naperville's city council may be next. Naperville Councilman Richard Furstenau said he's contacted Aurora council members for information about what they approved. "There are a number of Naperville councilmen who are concerned about this issue since they put that new venture (a Planned Parenthood clinic on Aurora's far East Side) over there," he said. Councilwoman Darlene Senger, also of Naperville, said she wants a notification measure as well. "I do think it's a good thing to talk about and think about and seriously consider," she said. "What is being talked through right now in Aurora also applies to Naperville." She added: "Our kids can go to the same clinic, the Planned Parenthood clinic. So that's why it's prudent for us to consider what Aurora is considering." The Aurora council unanimously approved the parental notification measure to urge the state to enforce the Parental Notification Act of 1995. The law has been tied up in courts. Last year, the Illinois Supreme Court issued rules for enforcement but it is now in front of a federal judge.