FREEDOM REPORT NO. 57

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• Knesset Members' Views Moderated
• Profile - Arab Evangelical Christians
• Arab Christians Sanctioned By Rabbinical Council
• Funding

KNESSET MEMBERS' OPINIONS

In Report No. 56 we provided you with the results of our most recent Gallup Poll, which surveyed responses to the identical questions in June, 1997. We have made some advanced in public opinion over the last 15 months.

These results were sent to every member of the Knesset. As already mentioned, a clear majority of the Israeli public now opposes the proposed legislation, which seeks to imprison or fine anyone attempting to convince another person of the validity of the New Testament. We are pleased with the results considering our modest advertising campaign.

In recent weeks 24 Knesset Members were visited, including cabinet ministers and one committee chairman. Inquiries were also made with key staff personnel of Knesset members.

It would seem there has been some moderating of views over time. Perhaps this has been due to recent publicity pertaining to violence against Messianic Jews and Christians. Clearly, advertising, press releases, foreign public outcry, diplomatic pressure or recognition of some change in public sentiment are partly responsible for the change. Individual meetings with Knesset members tended to be lengthy, but they allowed for the subject to be thoroughly discussed.

The leftist political party (Meretz) has tended to see the validity in our views about civil rights and democracy, yet it is still not willing to rally others on our behalf. The left center (Labor), right center (Likud) and middle parties (Third Way, Aliyah B'Yisrael) were among those heavily lobbied.

All of these groups are most sensitive to public opinion, as they compete for Israel's swing voters. The consensus, at least in private discussions, now seems to be that we have every right to freely advertise and use the mail for correspondence on religious views. Knesset opinion runs strongly against incitement to violence. A free expression of ideas is now conceded by the middle of the political spectrum.

However, there is strong objection to street evangelism and unsolicited initiatives of religious discussions purposed for conversion. In other words, Israelis, according to these views, should be free to explore and discuss religious ideas, but they do not want to be sought after, unless interest is in some way expressed by them. Anything else is considered provocative, intrusive and annoying. These views are much toned down as compared with the vitriolic statements made over a year ago.

The three major religious parties were also visited (United Torah Judaism, National Religious Party and Shas). All are adamant that there is no place for Messianic Jews in an Israeli society. Now they are saying it is alright for citizens to have any belief or even change their ideas, but they strenuously object to any attempt to spread New Testament belief. This is somewhat hypocritical in light of their own vigorous and aggressive attempts to win over secular agnostic Israelis to their religious perspective.

There is other progress, as the religious parties and newspapers now use the term "Messianic Jews". This is a significant, unconscious change as it describes people as a type of Jew, rather than a type of Christian (Hebrew Christian, Jewish Christian, etc.) This is important as it is inclusive and therefore, our demands for equal rights as Israelis are assumed to be legitimate.

ARAB EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS

In a previous report, a profile was given of the Messianic Jewish Community in Israel. This represents only one segment of the Evangelical New Covenant-believing community. Of equal of possibly larger size is the 6,000 to 8,000 Arab Evangelical Christians. Nizar Touma, a member of our Committee, is a pastor of a Nazarene Church in East Jerusalem. He has provided a description of this sector of our community.

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The Arab Evangelical churches are considered the minority among the historical churches. Most of these congregations began in the 18th Century by members of the Evangelical churches--namely Baptist, Pentecostals, Nazarene, Missionary Alliance, Lutherans, Anglicans and other Evangelical works. Our relationships as believers with the historical churches are good despite the differences of doctrines. The Protestant and Evangelical churches are making their impact in this Land. There are approximately 35 Evangelical churches.

One of these churches is located in Gaza, 20 are in Israel (including 5 in Jerusalem), and 14 are in the territories. These churches usually have pastors trained in Bible schools or seminaries and are full-time clergymen. About half of the time, this is only possible because of some financial assistance from denominations headquartered outside Israel. About 25% of the community attend independent home groups, because of their remote locations.

Regarding the relationship with Israeli and Palestinian Governments, both are respected by Evangelical Arab Christians. We are still enjoying the freedom of worship and religious practice. Some Ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups are trying to stop us by forcing a law that prevents sharing the faith with the intention to change someone's religion. As we know, the Bible teaches that we all should pray for people in leadership positions, so that we might live a peaceful life in our country and continue to be salt and light to the world.

Concerning our goals, we are determined to continue to witness in our communities using all open doors and channels to proclaim our faith that the Messiah is the light in the darkness of an unfaithful world.

We do feel that the Body of Messiah in the Holy Land has been somewhat forgotten by the brethren around the world. We understand their desire to come and visit the Holy sites. But more important is to meet the living stones in the Arab and Messianic congregations. We would urge you to pray that this body of believers continue to exist in the Land of the Bible.

There is some curiosity about our political views. Those with Israeli passports are generally thought of as traitors by Arabs who are not Israeli citizens. Most Evangelical Arab Christians vote with the leftist party, Meretz, and some vote with the extreme left party Chadash (Communist). This latter party and Arabic newspapers commonly seek advice and/or approval from contacts within the Palestinian Authority.

Finally, we as evangelical believers, are seeking to share what the Lord has done in our lives. We believe that every human being, Jew or Arab, needs to hear the Good News and salvation that is in the Messiah, as mentioned in John 3:16. In an attempt to preserve this freedom, we are supporting and participating in the work of the Messianic Action Committee. For this reason, we ask you to continue to write to your governments letters of objection against this anti-freedom law in Israel. ____________________________________________

ARAB CHRISTIANS SANCTIONED BY RABBINICAL COUNCIL

Since our last report there has been an article in the newspaper "Yediot Aharonot" detailing Rabbinical sanctions on Christian Arabs in Jaffa. For some while the Neptune Halls located in the nearby suburb of Bat Yam have been rented for Arab Christian gatherings. A rabbinical council has threatened to take away the "Kosher certificate" needed for cooking, catering, etc. if the facilities were utilized by any Arab Christian event in any covering and disguise (wedding, conference or ball).

With the receipt of the warning letter, the owner of the Hall informed that he was forced to cancel and scheduled event, despite a signed contract. Various Knesset members and city council members expressed strong objection to this ruling. However, the national rabbinical council upheld this local ruling. According to the chairman of the Orthodox Arab Committee, Yosef Deeb: "This decision hurts us, as Arab Christians, and the whole Arab population in Jaffa. It takes Israel back decades and puts a big question mark on the continuance of Arab Christian co-existence."

The MAC has begun to place newspaper ads challenging abrasive rabbinical authority. We will continue to do so as resources permit.

FUNDING

We have on our E-mail list about 850 names. Most represent organizations that reprint or summarize portions of our reports. We are thankful for this help. Through this distribution, many tens or even hundreds of thousands learn of the legislative developments that concern us.

We are encouraged by this interest and participation. There is much to do and an open door to influence the Israeli public and Knesset. We are limited, of course, by the financial resources available to us.

If you are an individual or organization that has yet to participate economically, we would be appreciative if you would consider doing so. To those who have already contributed, please accept our deep gratitude for your sense of partnership with us.

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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$12,000

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MESSIANIC ACTION COMMITTEE

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