Israeli bill would outlaw Christian evangelism

JERUSALEM — Israel’s ultraorthodox theocratic party, Shas, introduced a bill in the national legislature March 13 that would completely forbid Christian preaching and evangelism. If the proposal is adopted, violators would face one year’s imprisonment. Under current law, those offering money or material goods in exchange for religious conversion face five years in prison or a monetary fine.

The bill reveals an ugly undercurrent that Christians and Messianic Jews face in Israel, Glenn Penner, chief executive officer of The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada, told Mission Network News. "We’re not terribly concerned that it will be passed, but it is concerning that it keeps coming up," he said. For example, he said, every week for the past three years, ultra-Orthodox Jews have spit on and insulted members of the Messianic Jewish congregation in Arad, Israel. Tomatoes and eggs are frequently thrown at their houses. Noisy demonstrations are common while police merely stand by.