Friday, 22 May 1998

Shalom from Jerusalem,

A promising new hit Song was recorded and released at Jerusalem's Knesset Studio yesterday. Actually, the melody is the same, just the words have been changed. It is sung to the tune of "Folsom Prison Blues."

Popular as the song is projected to be, the world over, the Messianic Community in Israel, has already rejected it, and has refused to sing along. Nevertheless, caught up in their romanticism towards the Jewish nation, and for the most part, blind to the plight of the Messianic Believers who live in the Land, much of the Christian world has applauded the new song, and is encouraging as many as possible to jump on the "We Love Israel" band-wagon and join the song-fest.

The newly released tune is predicted to make the "top-10 hit list" within weeks, and it is believed that that it will add a crown to the vast Ecumenical collection which the Christian world has been investing in lately, in their search for unity and world peace.

Citing that this is the best and most direct way to express their love for Israel, after centuries of anti-Semitism, some Christian leaders have already fully endorsed the lyrics of the new song, which call for a cessation of sharing the Gospel with the Jewish people, and a commitment to stop calling them to repentance. Press statements like the following, have already been released:

"We rejoice in the presence of the Jewish people in the country of their ancestors and agree to avoid activities which have as their intention to alienate them from their tradition and community."

Apparently, the lyrics are catching on quicker than imagined, to the dismay of many Messianic Believers here.

In response, other Christians, in the midst of planning pompous celebrations in honour of Israel's 50th Birthday have recently said, "Rightfully we think Messiancs should play a role, but they have to abide by certain guidelines, including a ban on proselytising their own people."

Lyricists of the new song have reportedly claimed that given world wide support, their release is destined to remain at the top of the charts for an extended period and actually become the Law of the Land, if the Knesset Studio Committee will vote it through three more readings.

Meanwhile, Messianic groups who actively oppose this development are feeling abandoned and are being frowned upon for not heeding the warnings of jail and fines if they fail to learn the new song.

Reportedly, their own brothers in the faith feel that the song is much easier to learn and market, much more popular, and certainly more lucrative than the golden-oldies that Yeshua released some 2000 years ago.

Below is part of the story documenting the release of the new song yesterday as printed in the Jerusalem Post, Thursday, May 21, 1998, on Page ONE:

Anti-missionary Bill passes First Knesset Hurdle Calls for 3-year prison term or fine

By LIAT COLLINS

A bill which calls for serious sanctions against missionary activity in Israel passed preliminary reading in the Knesset yesterday. It calls for a three-year prison sentence or NIS 50,000 fine for anyone found guilty of "preaching with the intent of causing another person to change his religion," even if no printed material is distributed.
It relates equally to all religions.

The bill, introduced by MK Raphael Pinhasi (Shas), was supported by 37 coalition Mks including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his ministers - and was opposed by 28 opposition Mks. There were three abstentions, all by Labor Mks. MKs Naomi Blumenthal (Likud) and Amnon Rubinstein (Meretz) were present but did not vote.

The bill is broader than the bill by MKs Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) and Nissim Zvilli (Labor) which passed preliminary reading and relates to the distribution of written missionary material. Zvilti later withdraw his name from that bill.

The explanation to Pinhasi's bill reads: "In recent years missionary activity has increased to worrying proportions. This is particularly evident among youth and new immigrants...

Whereas in the not so distant past, the very thought of everything related to missionising was shocking and disturbing to all Jews, unfortunately there is now indifference to this serious phenomenon of an intensive destructive campaign among Jews.

Therefore, a broad bill should be legislated which includes all activities involving proselytisation or the ability to influence any person to change his religion and in this way. People can preserve their traditions for future years according to the tradition of `every person shall live according to his beliefs.'"

Are you going to sing along, or join us in jail? Shabbat Shalom,
Uri Marcus, General Secretary for the Nehemiah Fund.

Appeared in Volume 4.23 June 1998