March, 1998
Anti-Freedom Legislation - Report No. 45 March, 1998
Following is the wording of the bill which MK Pinchasi, Chairman of the
Knesset Committee, proposes in place of the earlier bill proposed by
MK's Zvilli and Gafni. This bill has been submitted to the Government
Committee on Legislation (GCML) and will soon be brought for preliminary
vote to the Knesset. As you can see, the bill proposes a death blow to
the freedom of religious expression in Israel by outlawing the right of
all religions to contend in the marketplace of ideas. It also wrongly
assumes that Messianic Jewish believers constitute a threat to the
Jewish nature of the State. Such an assumption is wholly misleading and
contrary to the facts: Many Messianic Jews have testified to a contrary
reality, namely, that their attachment to their own nation and its
customs was significantly enhanced due to their messianic faith.
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The Fourteenth Knesset
Proposed Law of MK Rafael Pinchasi, P/1936 Proposed Penal Law (Amendment
- Prohibition against Preaching to Change Religion), 5758-1998, Addition
to Article 174C
1. In the Penal Law, 5737-1977 1). Following Article 174B will come:
"Prohibition against Preaching to Change Religion"
"174C. Anyone who preaches* with the purpose of causing another person
to change his religion is liable to three years imprisonment or a fine
of NIS 50,000."
1. S/H 5737, p. 226 Explanatory Notes
In recent years, missionary activity has increased to worrisome
proportions. This has been particularly evident among the youth and new
immigrants. Such destructive activity creates a heavy apprehension
among us that, Heaven forbid, it will not be too long before the Jewish
reality in this country will be met with a new entity, united under the
shadow of the cross, which could determine various trends in Israeli
society.
Whereas in the not too distant past, the mere thought of anything
connected with missionary activity was repulsive and shocking to a Jew
whoever he may be; now, to our sorrow, this grievous phenomenon, which
is an intensive campaign for apostasy among Jews, is met with
equanimity.
It is, therefore, necessary to enact a very wide-sweeping law which
would include all activities in which preaching or the ability may be
found in the slightest degree to influence a person to change his
religion, so that every nation may protect its own sons and its
long-standing traditions, in accordance with the tradition of "each man
shall live by his faith."
Submitted to the Chairman of the Knesset and Deputies Tabled in the
Knesset on 28 Tevet 5758 - 26.1.98 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
* note to the translation: The term we have translated "preach" (meytif)
is very broad. It includes persuasion, encouragement, exhortation and
the calling upon one to take a certain action. In essence, the proposed
bill would proscribe all forms of persuasion, be they verbal, written,
recorded or broadcast.
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This renewed and stringent threat to the democratic nature of Israeli
society must meet with a kind but overwhelming response on the part of
all who are concerned for democracy in Israel. Please do all you can in
this regard.
The Messianic Action Committee is presently facing a financial crisis
due to the sudden and inexplicable drop of contributions from the United
States. We have funds that will enable us to operate on a shoestring
for a short while. An appeal to all our friends to do whatever is
within their means to enable us to continue this important struggle for
the future of Israel. Contributions and pledges for ongoing support
will be gratefully received, receipted and carefully audited. Details
of our bank are given below.
The Messianic Action Committee has called for a day of prayer and
fasting Friday, April 3. We also invite friends and congregations to
join us for that day.
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