November, 1998

MESSIANIC ACTION COMMITTEE UPDATE (excerpts from recent bulletins received from Israel)

FREEDOM REPORT NO. 55 =====================

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

PINCHASI BILL VOTE Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Porat's primary assistant has informed that the first of three votes in plenary (Knesset) session outside of committee is being scheduled. This will probably occur on or before November 20, as that will be six months since the bill's introduction. According to Knesset rules, a bill must be reported out of committee within six months, or if not, a written explanation made by the committee chairman.

Most Knesset members are influenced by public opinion. Publicizing our cause is especially important at this juncture, but it may not be possible for economic reasons. The direction of this legislation will be, in part, determined by this vote.

Afterward, a second vote usually follows in three to five weeks, which is usually determinant. The third vote is generally only to approve technical changes. All three votes could even take place on one day, as has occurred in the past.

Rabbi MK Pinchasi, the bill's sponsor, is considered the number four man in the Shas Party. It is known that he covets the position of MK Aryeh Deri, who presently leads the party and who is under indictment for corruption. There is significant internal party opposition to Pinchasi's ambition. Our cause represents a viable means to attempt to gain popular religious support.

PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS

The Ultra-Orthodox have the political power to bring about a favorable vote on this bill. If this legislation passes, the promulgation of the Gospel here will become illegal and many of us will face criminal penalties for sharing our faith. If and when this occurs, we all want to feel we did everything we could to stand for our Messiah and to vindicate His name and reputation in the Land.

Presently, we are conducting a second Gallup Poll and launching a full-scale lobbying campaign through the public relations firm that we have on retainer for this purpose. Every Knesset member will again receive our written materials with reasons not to vote for MK Pinchasi's bill, e.g. because it is bad for the State. Eleven key Knesset members have been targeted for personal visits.

NEW VIOLENT PERSECUTION

On November 13, the leading Israeli newspapers "Yediot Aharonot" and "HaAretz" reported that hundreds of Ultra-Orthodox Haredim attacked the home of three young Swiss Christian women living in the religious Jerusalem neighborhood of Mea Shearim. One of the women was at home at the time. The police guided her to safety under a barrage of hurled rocks and bottles. The contents of the assaulted apartment were totally demolished. All of the furniture was thrown out of the window and destroyed. The attackers wrote "The Mission" on the walls. A religious man from the neighborhood interviewed on television said that the rampage was sparked by a fast circulating rumor that one of the women had given a child some missionary literature.

Initial radio reports labeled the attack a "pogrom" which refers to the unwarranted attacks on Jews in Eastern Europe in the early part of the 20th century. Since these early reports had not yet identified the fact that these women were Christians, this description was based solely on the violent and destructive nature of this mob attack. On the evening television news more extensive reportage filled in the fact that the women were Christians.

One television crew zoomed in on a book that was found amongst the debris left in the apartment. This book was clearly about Yeshua (Jesus) and was published by "Keren Achvah Meshichit", a Messianic publishing firm.

Ehud Olmert, mayor of Jerusalem condemned the attack. Both on radio and television, he underscored that this attack was perpetrated by the Neturai Karta, an extreme fringe group within the Haredi community that does not recognize the State of Israel. It remains to be seen if this is merely an attempt to deflect responsibility away from the broader Haredi community.

Six men have been arrested. Mayor Olmert expressed hopes that these men will be convicted. He stated that the city of Jerusalem will be helping the women to replace their destroyed belongings.

URGENT NEED FOR PRAYER AND FINANCES

Obviously, the intensity of opposition to non-rabbinical ideas is increasing. For all of our readers that believe prayer changes things, we especially need your fervent intercession at this time. We are virtually without earthly political power, but we can appeal to higher authority.

We are so very appreciative that our readers are upholding us. Sometimes this is expressed in heart yearning, in effort and/or financial support. Our 19-month campaign has witnessed periods of quiet and times of intensity. It would seem the months ahead could draw more heavily on our limited financial resources, which are totally depleted much of the time.

Along these lines, we want to share with you a warming story. The day before learning about the prospective Pinchasi vote, our committee determined to suspend the services of our lobbying/public relations company, due to lack of financial support. The head of this firm said he would not stop working, even without pay. Here is a secular Israeli, a savvy political person, who simply believes that legislation which limits religious freedom is wrong, and bad for Israel. He cares, and so do others.

A Biblical drama is unfolding. Your prayers, efforts and donations are part of that history. ____________________________________________

The Pinchasi Bill (passed preliminary reading on May 20, 1998): "Prohibition on calling for a change of religion" -- 174c: " Anyone who preaches with the goal of causing any other person to change his religion is liable to three years' imprisonment or a 50,000 Shekel* fine."

*approximate value of US$12,500
____________________________________________

MESSIANIC ACTION COMMITTEE

MESSIANIC ACTION COMMITTEE

Paul Liberman, Chairman
Noam Hendren
Charles Kopp
Marvin Kramer, Esq.
Nizar Touma
Daniel Yahav

P.O. Box 5462, Herzliya   46100  Israel Telephone/Fax:
972-9-951-6118 E-mail:
themac@netvision.net.il

See also:

AMFI's Religious Liberty in Israel Update Page

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