Yad L’Achim has turned to Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked on Monday 9 Teves in an urgent letter regarding attempts to convert a group of security personnel, all from the Eshkol Regional Council area.

Dozens of security coordinators of the Eshkol Regional Council in the Gaza border area were invited to a ceremony to receive security equipment donated by a private organization. They were surprised to discover a missionary group was behind an effort to persuade them to convert from Yiddishkheit. Some left the event in anger and reported the incident to Yad L’Achim, which sent the urgent letter to the senior minister and Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, calling for immediate action against the missionaries.

Represented by attorney Moshe Morgenstern, the letter was sent on Monday morning, explaining the events that occurred at the equipment distribution event last week. It is explained the equipment was distributed by a Baptist missionary organization wishing to improve the working conditions for the officers as well as area security. The equipment included binoculars, night vision equipment, climbing shoes, protective vests and more. There was also what appeared to be a regular Tanach, which they learned was quoting the New Testament.

Attorney Morgenstern quoted paragraph 174a of the penal code regarding missionary activities, explaining the distribution of the equipment was nothing more than a means towards influencing these young men to convert.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)