Protest against missionaries in Arad (Photo from YNet News)
Israel (MNN) ― Israel's theocratic party known as the Shas faction has declared war on missionaries. The group's Ultra-Orthodox leader, MK Yakov Margi, introduced a bill on March 13 urging a strengthening of Israel's laws against proselytism.
When asked if it is likely to pass, Voice of the Martyrs' Canada's Glenn Penner said, "I don't suspect so, but it does seem that about every couple years some ultra-Orthodox party decides to stop missionary activity in the country, so they find some allies in the situation and propose it again. This does show an opposition to evangelism activity that is somewhat concerning."
The new proposal would completely forbid preaching and proselytism altogether. Under the proposal, violators would face a years' imprisonment for preaching conversion. According to VCM, under current Israeli law, anyone offering money or material products in exchange for conversion faces five years in prison or a monetary fine.
The person on the accepting end of the offer also faces punishment. Anyone acting in favor of or conducting a conversion ceremony on a minor faces six month in jail. The law, however, does not address attempts to convert adults over the age of 18, making it completely legitimate.
Penner says the law reveals an ugly undercurrent facing Christians and Messianic Jews in Israel. "We're not terribly concerned that it will be passed, but it is concerning that it keeps coming up. Pray that it would be defeated. Pray for strengthening for our brothers and sisters particularly in the city of Arad. They are facing a terrible situation that people are not even aware of."
Every week for the past three years, he explains, the Messianic Jewish congregation in Arad, Israel, has faced opposition from ultra-orthodox Jews. Recent reports indicate the congregation regularly faces jeers and insults. They are spat upon, and their homes are frequent targets for tomatoes and eggs. Noisy demonstrations are common, with the approval of the police.
The opposition turned violent on February 25 when a member of the church was beaten in the parking lot of his Chess and Bible Shop. The same shop was firebombed in 2005 by opponents to his evangelistic work.
Pray that those who oppose them will see that Jesus is the promised Messiah and receive the free gift of salvation.
