Following his response to a Knesset query from MK (Agudah) Rabbi Meir Porush to Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, Porush angrily vowed to continue the battle against missionaries operating in Israel.
The case deals with information, apparently obtained from Rav Sholom Dov Lifshitz, that missionaries have been distributing gifts and toys to children admitted to Schneider Children’s Hospital in Petach Tikvah as well as to parents and family members of the patients. Apparently, as least some of the gifts have some religious significance not related to Yiddishkeit.
Dichter’s reply did not satisfy Porush to say the least, who called on the public security minister to enforce the law which prohibits missionary activities in Israel.
Porush explained that it is blatantly obvious from the minister’s response, who relates to the ongoing activities of the missionaries as a humanistic gesture towards the patients and their families, adding he seems to have an inability to differentiate between missionary practices and the distribution of Shabbos candles and challah rolls to patients, indeed a humanistic gesture.
While Dichter stated the distribution of gifts is not a violation of the law, Porush vowed that together with Yad L’Achim, they will combat missionaries seeking to operate in Eretz HaKodesh.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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3 Responses
Some people are afraid to rock the boat with Christian missionaries in Israel because fundamentalist Christians are perceived as among Israel’s strongest friends. But at what price? Christian scripture itself say that it is acceptable practice to use deceit in order to gain converts. In light of that, can it be any wonder that our Christian “friends” are promising (on one hand) that they do not missionize in Israel, while (on the other hand) they are actively involved in missionary activities which, in their minds, perhaps, are more subtle than their normal activities.
They have a huge budget. they convince kid by offering gifts(cell phones…) Yad lechim and lev l’chim are fighting them. But they have much more money.
This is a big issue,
Maybe Avi Dichter’s heart is with the missionaries and not with his own religion.