Israel: Update to ISR22162.F of 14 November 1995 and ISR31055.E of 7 February 1999 on the situation of the Messianic Jews, their treatment by the Israeli population, the police, the government or other authorities, and information on the protection available to them

The following information, which adds to that provided in ISR22162.F of 14 November 1995 and ISR 31055.E of 7 February 1999, is based mostly on reports that cite Messianic Jewish sources.

According to the Chairman of the Messianic Action Committee, the harassment of Messianic Jews appears to be increasing as their profile in Israel increases (Washington Times 26 Apr. 2000). The Messianic Jewish community in Israel, which is estimated at approximately 6,000, has been subjected to forms of harassment such as spray-painted slogans and vandalism by anti-missionary groups such as Yad L'achim, who claim that the Messianic Jews are a threat to Judaism (ibid.). The Jerusalem Post reported that on 26 June 2000 an arson attempt was made on a Messianic Synagogue in Jerusalem, and its Torah scroll was taken (27 July 2000).

There are reports of isolated incidents of ill-treatment by members of the Israeli population (Washington Times 26 Apr. 2000). An owner of a religious bookstore and café, the Dugit Messianic Outreach Center, was evicted and physically abused by his landlord, while one of his associates was beaten on the street for handing out tracts (ibid.). The owner of the bookstore stated that he went to the police but received no assistance (ibid.).

In its Religious Freedom Report published in July 2001, the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) reported that the Israeli Interior Ministry equated "missionary activity" with "activity against the Jewish people" in its effort to justify proposed expulsions of Messianic Jews (26 July 2001). It reportedly uses this as a legal basis to harass, intimidate, legally disenfranchise and refuse Israeli citizenship to Messianic Jews (ibid.). In addition, the Israeli passports of some Messianic Jews have been confiscated or not renewed, and some have been asked by the Ministry to name other believers (ibid.).

Three anti-missionary bills that went before the Israeli parliament (the Knesset) since 1997 have threatened Messianic Jews in Israel (Washington Times 26 Apr. 2000). The first bill recommended a one-year prison sentence for the publication, distribution, or possession of evangelistic literature; the second proposed a three-year prison term for proselytizing; and the third suggested a five-year sentence for bringing someone to an evangelistic meeting (ibid.). None of the bills became law, however, as the Knesset considered them too extreme (ibid.).

Information concerning protection available to Messianic Jews was unable to be found by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MLAA), Springfield. 26 July 2001. Religious Freedom Report #78. [Accessed 2 October 2001]

The Jerusalem Post. 27 July 2000. Etgar Lefkovits and Itim. "Three Remanded for Torching Jerusalem Conservative". (NEXIS)

The Washington Times. 26 April 2000. Final Edition. Julia Duin. "Messianic Jews Caught Between Two Worlds; Bid for Converts to Christianity Meets Resistance." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI)

Israeli Religions Action Centre (IRAC)

NEXIS

WNC

Internet sites including:

MaozIsrael

Messianic Bureau International

Messianic Jewish Movement International

The Messianic Times