Christians from around the world express their solidarity with Israel during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. A few ultra-Orthodox demonstrators suspect this is a missionary endeavor.
Numerous Christians from around the world attended the Israel Evening hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) on Tuesday. They expressed their solidarity with the Jewish state. Outside the venue, ultra-Orthodox Jews protested against alleged missionary activity, as reported by the online newspaper "Times of Israel.".
One banner read: “Your intentions have been exposed. Stop trying to fool us.” However, the demonstrators did not enter the Pais Arena, where the evening's events were being held as part of the Sukkot festival.
Spokesman David Parsons emphasized to the "Times of Israel": "The ICEJ has never engaged in missionary activity in Israel. The vast majority of Israelis we meet know this and once again gave us a warm welcome at Sukkot – especially because the Hebrew prophets long ago foresaw the presence of the nations here at this unique and joyous pilgrimage festival."
In a video message, President Yitzhak Herzog assured participants that Israel would guarantee religious freedom for all faiths: "We will insist on protecting all religious communities that make up the beautiful human mosaic of our country." This includes protecting every site, every religious leader, and every person from evil expressions of hatred or intolerance.
Video shows spitting attack on Christian pilgrims
Just on Monday, Nir Hasson, a reporter for the daily newspaper "Ha'aretz," posted a video online of a new spitting attack on Christians in Jerusalem's Old City. The video shows Christians carrying a large wooden cross emerging from a church near the Lion's Gate. As a group of ultra-Orthodox Jews approaches, several Jews spit in front of them – including minors, apparently imitating adults.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) condemned this and other attacks. Israel is "absolutely determined to guarantee the sacred right of religion and pilgrimage to the holy sites of all faiths." He condemned "any attempt to intimidate believers.".
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau declared: “Such phenomena are indefensible and should of course not be attributed to Jewish law.”
Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malkieli (Shass) said: “This is not the way of the Torah. There is no rabbi who supports this or legitimizes this reprehensible behavior.” Tourism Minister Chaim Katz (Likud) echoed the criticism.
Latin Patriarch: Violence is generally increasing
Two weeks ago, the Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa addressed journalists about the attacks. He stated that the phenomenon was not new, but was on the rise. "It is linked to ultra-Orthodox and religious Zionist groups and movements. The presence of these groups in the Old City is greater than in the past. There is no doubt that there are rabbis who endorse or even encourage it." He added that some of these groups may feel supported or at least protected by the state, given the right-wing government.
However, the Catholic priest does not view the incidents in isolation: violence is generally on the rise in Israeli and Palestinian society. "What we are seeing among Christians is part of a larger phenomenon. Moderate voices are not being heard, and extremist voices are growing louder. We are in contact with the authorities and the police."
Since the beginning of the year, police have opened investigations into 16 cases – for vandalism, violence, and hate speech. Twenty-one suspects have been arrested. However, it is difficult to convict attackers – especially when they spit on the ground and not at a person. In the current case, there have been five arrests so far.
The ICEJ's Sukkot celebrations continue on Wednesday afternoon. Thousands of Christians from many countries will participate in the international Jerusalem march. (Israelnetz)
