To His Excellency, Mr. Benyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and His Excellency Mr. Dan Tichon, Chairman of the Israeli Knesset, c/o the Israeli Embassy, 3514 International Drive N.W., Washington, DC 20008.
We the undersigned are Christians from various backgrounds, denominations and regions. Many of us have visited Israel and we view your people and your country with sincere affection because of our faith in Jesus, our commitment to the Scriptures and our sympathy for a people that has suffered both religious and racial persecution for so long.
We were shocked to learn that a law has been proposed, and passed its preliminary reading in the Knesset, which would outlaw the production, importation and dissemination, and even the possession of certain religious materials and information in Israel; a law which imposes a penalty of one year's imprisonment for its violation.
We are deeply concerned that Israel, the haven for all persecuted Jews, would even consider legislation that would effectively restrict freedom of religious expression, the fair and honest conveyance of information, and the freedom of any minority in Israel to serve God according to their religious convictions.
This proposed law is contrary to the provisions of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and even to Israel's own Basic Law - The Dignity of Man and His Freedom, which is intended to preserve and protect the fundamental right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in Israel's Declaration of Independence. The proposed law denies basic human freedoms and undermines Israel's claim to be a truly democratic country .
As friends of Israel, we are troubled by the thought that democracy in Israel could degenerate into a form of religious totalitarianism in which none but the accepted majority are allowed to speak their mind, address their nation and practice their faith without restriction or fear of reprisal. We firmly believe it is in Israel's greatest interest to maintain an open, democratic, and pluralistic society in which the rights of even the least desired minorities are scrupulously maintained and defended.
We support Israel's desire to remain a Jewish State and we recognize Israel's right to define that Jewishness in the course of a fair, honest and open internal discussion. We call upon Israel to engage in just such a discussion rather than legislate against the rights of a minority, and to respect the right of their fellow Jews--of whatever persuasion--to play a part in that discussion.
We stand in solidarity with our fellow believers in Israel, be they Messianic Jews, Christian Arabs or any other Evangelicals living in the Land. Their presence constitutes a representation of one of the three major religions in the world. Any attempt to delegitimize Messianic Jews by branding them a cult is a denial of the essential unity of our common faith. Any restriction on their freedom of religious expression as an affront to all followers of Jesus everywhere.
We, who love the God of Israel and who pray for the peace of Jerusalem, call on your Knesset to set aside all such considered legislation. We urge the active intervention of your government to do all in its power to oppose and defeat the proposed law.
Signed______________________________________________________________
LETTER OF PROTEST Regarding Proposed Law: Prohibition of inducement for religious conversion
To His Excellency, Mr. Benyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and His Excellency Mr. Dan Tichon, Chairman of the Israeli Knesset, c/o the Israeli Embassy, 3514 International Drive N.W., Washington, DC 20008.
We the undersigned have read the aforementioned Letter of Protest and wish to add our signatures to express our agreement with its contents. We oppose this proposed law!
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