The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem (ICJE) is organizing the annual pilgrimage of Christians to Jerusalem of over 700 Christian tourists. And the Rabbanut which is now basically controlled by the ‘Gedolim’ is banning participation in their celebrations. Why? Because they fear that the event is a cover for missionary work.
If those fears were well founded, I would agree with it. But they are clearly not. There is nothing more obvious then the 180 degree turn by Christendom in recent years with respect to their relationship with the Jewish people and Israel.
But then, how would the 'Gedolim' know that? Have they spoken to any Evangelical leaders like Pastor Hagee? There are two chances of that having happened : Slim and none! (That’s putting it mildly.) This ban like many other of the recent bans is based not on the personal investigation by ninety year old plus Gedolim but is based heavily on information given to them by people they trust.
The title of this post is taken from a line in the Jerusalem Post article on this subject. And it just about sums up my view about how bans and boycotts come about from the ‘Gedolim’ in Israel. And it is no less true this time. The only difference is that this is the first time I’ve ever seen any kind of disclaimer in print quoted from them.
To be fair they are not calling for a boycott of the Christians themselves. If I recall correctly, a recent article said that the ban had actually welcomed these Christian tourists who come to Jerusalem for Sukkos to show solidarity with the Jewish people and Israel.
So what’s the problem? It is this. These Christians are displaying a solidarity and support for Israel that is unprecedented. They have admitted to Christendom’s sordid anti Semitic past. And the entire purpose of this new love is precisely to counteract world anti Semitism which is constantly on display in world community. They want to declare t that when it comes to Chrsitianity’s persecution of the Jews over the millennia, yes, it happened and they are here to say, ‘Never again!’
I have written about the obvious and clear differences between today’s evangelical Christians and their predecessors. These people really mean it. Are there missionaries among them? I’m sure there are. But they are a small minority and are not supported by the mainstream. This is what my friend Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein president of The Fellowship of Christians and Jews has told time and time again. And he is about as Ehrlich a Jew as I know. They bless us because they are bible believing Christians who know that God blesses those people who bless the Jewish people. The vast majority ask nothing of us but our friendship. And we ought to give it to them. One does not display friendship by telling people not to participate with them in the celebrations.
To be sure one must be careful and if one suspects missionary activity it ought to be reported to the authorities. I am pretty sure there is at least a municipal law in Jerusalem against it. If not, there ought to be. If anyone does see any missionary activity then those people ought to be exposed and boycotted. But to come out with a blanket ban based unsubstantiated ‘information reaching us’ is nothing short of a slap in the face of the very people who support us the most, Evangelical Christians. As the Jerusalem Post puts it:
“The ICEJ will be bringing more than 7,000 Christian pilgrims from some 100 countries this holiday. This has grown into Israel's largest single tourist event each year, with thousands of well-wishing Christians congregating in Jerusalem and revitalizing its economy.”
We have so few friends in the world community. We ought to be treating those who so strongly and completely support us ….both morally and with dollars a lot better than slapping them in the face.
