THE CONTEXT BEHIND THE CARDINAL DENIED ENTRY TO JERUSALEM’S HOLY SEPULCHRE

Sometimes missile attacks from Iran can not only shatter buildings and lives, but even a status quo.

By Jonathan Feldstein

As soon as I read reports of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa being prevented from entering Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre my heart sank.

My immediate reaction was affirming something I have long believed and articulated frequently: that the State of Israel has a unique responsibility and obligation to protect Christian holy sites and ensure freedom of worship for Christians throughout Israel.

**Cardinal Error**. Ignoring the security situation in a time of war with missiles raining over Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa quickly jumped to characterize a life-saving restriction as an “extreme departure … of reasonableness” and “freedom of worship.”

My second reaction was dismay in knowing that whatever transpired and why, Israeli officials probably could and should have done better. Both because we have that obligation, but also because it could have prevented the inevitable bad PR. Yes, we’re at war and things slip through the cracks, but still.

Third was seeing the reflexive negative and even antisemitic reactions from across the world, some that added fuel to the fire of repeated (and false) accusations that Israel discriminates against Christians, and some that were simply another excuse to find fault with the current government and Prime Minister.

Make no mistake, Israel can and should have done better. But through this mistake, lessons have been learned and will hopefully prevent future such mistakes. As of writing this, an agreement for which has been reached between the parties.

As I am writing on the anniversary of the murder of the Christian Israeli Arab policeman Amir Khoury who is still celebrated as an Israeli hero, I know that while a small minority, Christians in Israel are not only not discriminated against but are the only community of Christians in the Middle East whose population is growing steadily, and can worship and live freely without fear of persecution.

In case you didn’t hear, on Palm Sunday, March 29, Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass. The negative international response was immediate and widespread. Church authorities described it as the first such denial of the senior Catholic leader in Jerusalem from entering the site on the day commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

Initial reports were only of his refused entry, without any context. But context matters, and subsequent reports shed light on this. The incident occurred amid heightened security restrictions related to Israel’s ongoing war with Iran, and subsequent Iranian missile attacks across Israel and on Jerusalem specifically. These measures include strict limits on public gatherings across the Old City, affecting Christian Holy Week observances, as well as Jewish Passover and Islamic Ramadan celebrations.

Missile Fragments Rain Down Near Jerusalem’s Holiest Sites

Israel’s Home Front Command imposed sweeping rules: gatherings limited to 50 people in locations with adequate bomb shelter access. Jerusalem’s Old City’s narrow streets further complicate emergency vehicle access in the event of a mass-casualty event. It’s important to note that since the 1990s, when bomb shelters became mandatory in new construction, the Christian denominations that control the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and cannot agree who has the authority to move a ladder in a window for centuries, could not come together to create a safe room in the holy site to protect against modern threats. A bomb shelter could have precluded this conflict.

**Ladder of Revelations**. It is revealing that while bomb shelters are mandatory in all new construction in Israel, the Christian denominations that control the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and cannot agree who has the authority to move a ladder in a window that has been here for centuries (see above), are as well unable to collectively agree to create a safe room to protect against modern threats. Instead, blame Israel! (Photo: Wikipedia)

Security precautions limit the number of people who can assemble for public gatherings including Passover prayers. Israeli Jews are being told to limit the number of guests at their Passover Seders to safely correspond with enough places in their bomb shelters. The traditional Festival “Birkat Kohanim”, (Priestly Blessing) has also been restricted from what can draw thousands.

**Hardly Enlightening**. Light may well shine over the Edicule, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, however very little media ‘light’ was shone by the international press on the true nature of the incident, playing down the dangers from incoming Iranian missiles. (Photo: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP / Getty)

The context is even broader. Since February 28, Israeli authorities closed major holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City — including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall, and the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound — for security reasons. Iranian missiles had targeted the area, with shrapnel striking near the Holy Sepulchre in one incident, and near the Al Aksa Mosque in another.

Just as many Jewish events have been canceled, the traditional public Palm Sunday procession was canceled. Other events have been shifted to private or virtual formats for Easter. Despite reported prior coordination, police reconsidered and halted the Cardinal’s group en route under the prevailing security guidelines. The Patriarchate issued a statement describing this as “manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate.” Cardinal Pizzaballa later led an alternative prayer service at the Church of Gethsemane, outside the Old City.

**Unholy Alliance**. One of the holiest sites in Christianity, the Holy Sepulchre does not have a bomb shelter/ safe room due to internal disagreements within the church management that might have prevented the restriction. This however was not disclosed by the international media who was more inclined to find reasons to besmirch Israel.

Israeli authorities defended the decision on safety grounds. Police cited the Old City’s vulnerability to mass-casualty incidents. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office stated there was “no malicious intent whatsoever, only concern for his safety and that of his party.” It acknowledged the symbolic importance of Holy Week and announced that security agencies were developing a plan to be announced imminently to allow church leaders limited worship access.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog not only commented publicly but called the Cardinal privately. “The incident stemmed from security concerns due to the continuous threat of missile attacks from the Iranian terror regime against the civilian population in Israel, following previous incidents in which Iranian missiles fell in the area of the Old City of Jerusalem in recent days.” He called Pizzaballa to “express my great sorrow over this unfortunate incident in the Old City of Jerusalem,” and “reaffirmed the State of Israel’s unwavering commitment to freedom of religion for all faiths and to upholding the status quo at the holy sites of Jerusalem.”

Later Cardinal Pizzaballa sounded a conciliatory tone, noting:

“There were no clashes, everything was done in a very polite manner… we want to use this situation to clarify better in the coming days what to do in respect for everyone’s safety but also in respect for the right to prayer.”

**Church in the ‘Cross’hairs**. Firing missiles toward Jerusalem shows a dangerous disregard for the sanctity of holy sites and the people who gather there to pray as evident here (see above) when missile debris from an Iranian attack landed just feet from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. (Photo: Israel police)

Before any context and clarifications, the damage was done. Swift international condemnation followed. The Vatican, Catholic leaders worldwide, and European governments voiced concern, even condemnation. Arab officials predictably decried it as further encroachment on “Christian rights in occupied East Jerusalem.” Critics argued that while security is paramount, the blanket application of rules to a handful of senior clergy undermine the delicate status quo governing Jerusalem’s holy sites, shared among Christian denominations and long protected under international norms.

This incident was placed under the microscope of those who claim that Christians and Christian rights are under attack, but without the broader context and reality of the war and necessary security precautions. The Palm Sunday incident highlighted how even minimal, pre-approved religious observance can clash with emergency protocols amid active missile threats from Iran. Unfortunately, sometimes missile attacks from Iran can not only shatter buildings and lives, but even a status quo.

An agreement for the remainder of Holy Week, learning from this incident and potentially easing access for clergy while maintaining crowd limits is imminent. The problem, as this incident showed, is that if God forbid there were to be a security incident and mass casualty event at one of the Christian sites, Israel would be blamed by the same people who are now criticizing it for maintaining these security precautions to begin with.

That’s just some of the context with Passover and Easter around the corner. Hopefully when the war is behind us and things get “normal” again, protocol can be developed to prevent any similar future conflicts.

About the writer:

Jonathan Feldstein - President of the US based non-profit Genesis123 Foundation whose mission is to build bridges between Jews and Christians – is a freelance writer whose articles appear in The Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Townhall, NorthJersey.com, Algemeiner Journal, The Jewish Press, major Christian websites and more.

*Donations to provide bomb shelters in Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter and other sites can be made here.

While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves. LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

WHY WE ARE “PROTESTANT” ZIONISTS

Israel’s last major allies are several hundred million Protestant Zionists but the Islamist world – with compliant local church support – is desperate to break this alliance.

By John Enarson

On January 17, the Roman Catholic Church and its allied denominations in Jerusalem released a statement condemning Christian support for Israel as a “damaging ideology” that misleads the public and harms church unity. This might look like a unified Christian front turning against the Jewish State – but for hundreds of millions of Evangelical supporters of Israel, this statement clarifies exactly why we are not just Zionists—we are “Protestant” Zionists.

**Sad Statement of Affairs**. The Catholic Church and its allied denominations in Jerusalem “declared war on Christian Zionism” in a statement released January 17 (see above) , where the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in the Holy Land — led by the Roman Catholic hierarchy along with Eastern Catholic, Orthodox, and other traditional church leaders — condemned Christian support for Israel as a “damaging ideology” that misleads the public and harms Christian unity.

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem claim to be bothered by some “Christian” ideology, but the real issue is that these Christians are helping the Jewish people retain national sovereignty in their ancestral homeland. Under traditional Catholic or Eastern Orthodox theology, Jews might be tolerated as stateless minorities in Christian lands. However, the idea that the Jewish nation has a biblical right to sovereignty violates centuries of supersessionist theology—the belief that the Church has replaced Israel.

As Evangelical supporters of Israel, we are “Protestant” for a reason. We “protest” against the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox traditions that preceded it. While modern apologists suggest the Protestant Reformation is over, the protest remains vital, whether against the worship of Mary, or images, or unbiblical soteriology. Chief among our objections is the betrayal of the Bible in favor of church tradition. The foremost meaning of “Evangelical” is to believe in the primacy of Scripture (the euangelion in old parlance).

The Jerusalem churches’ statement does not even attempt a Scriptural argument. They rely on the old accusation that defying their theology is the “sin of disunity.” They ignore that we have compelling biblical grounds for our stance. As offensive as it may sound to the secular West or the old ecclesiastical hierarchies, we maintain that God’s Word is firmly on the side of Jewish restoration. As Romans 3:4 reminds us, God will be found true, though every man a liar.

**Exposing Intent**. The writer strolling outside the Old City in Jerusalem asserts that the Vatican has been one of the strongest anti-Zionist actors in the West, ever since Jewish independence.

This leads to the second fundamental reason for our divergence: the definition of a Christian.

For Evangelicals, one is not a Christian by being born into a church as if it were an ethnicity. The Protestant Reformation revived the biblical truth that Christianity springs from personal faith, being “born again” (John 3:3–7) to follow Jesus and submit to Scripture. As Evangelical singer Keith Green famously quipped:

“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger.”

This stands in stark contrast to the Middle East, where for centuries — surrounded by dominant Islam — to be “Christian” is effectively an ethnic minority status. Under Islamic dominance, these communities survived by behaving as subservient dhimmis. In this context, the faith often becomes a cultural collective rather than a personal conviction.

Evangelicals understand that there are many individual true believers in the nominal churches, irrespective of cultural tradition. Moreover, we recognize that there is real persecution of nominal Christians in the Middle East. Jihadists who burn churches and behead Christians do not care if they have been born again or not. To them, even secular, hedonistic Europe is “Christian”. The jihadists exemplify sheer hatred against the cross and the Bible, and care not for any nuance. This garners Evangelical sympathy around the world. We mourn and protest this persecution.

However, the Catholic and Orthodox hierarchies in the Holy Land attempt to weaponize this sympathy to marshal the church, including Evangelicals, against the Jewish State. They tell the world, “Israel is oppressing us.” But the reality is far more complex. The “Christians of the Holy Land” are a complex collective primarily under Jihadist — not a Jewish — threat.

Consider the anecdotal observations of Eastern Orthodox Christian Ridvan Aydemir, an online phenomenon and expressly not a Christian Zionist. He recently came to the Holy Land to investigate the conflict for social commentary and found problems on all sides, including among traditional Christians. Ridvan was then attacked for betraying the Christians of the Holy Land. He responded bluntly:

“What Christians are you talking about? You mean those who are embroiled in gang violence over there? Who are actually active in gang violence? Who are running shady businesses in the Holy Land? Or those who are submissive to the Muslims, accepting their role as dhimmis and doing whatever the Muslims tell them because their lives are too precious to them and they just want to live in peace? … Or do you mean those who actively work for the Islamic Iranian regime and with Hamas and other terrorist organizations? Which Christians are you talking about? Or do you mean those who, for the sake of keeping the peace, do whatever Hamas tells them to do, or say whatever Hamas tells them to say, while behind the scenes telling Israel, ‘Hey, we know you’re right, we’re on your side, but we can’t just publicly [say so]?’ Do you mean those cowards? Or do you mean the good ones who actually stand up for themselves over there? Which Christians are you talking about? You have to be more specific” (ApostateProphet, YouTube, Nov 6, 2025).

This is the blunt mechanism of the conflict:

Jihadists fight the “blasphemy” of Jewish independence in the Middle East. The international community pressure Israel to give these Jihadists self-governing control in places like Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Gaza. Here, the Jihadists mercilessly begin to persecute Christians and any moderate Muslims under their control. Meanwhile, Christian communities that remain under Israeli control go on to flourish. Using cities like Bethlehem as their base, the Jihadists continue their attacks on Jews (the Second Intifada). Israel responds by installing security measures, which cut down the suicide bombings dramatically. However, it means everyone (including Christians) from Bethlehem must go through long security checkpoints. Muslims then use Christian dhimmis under their oppression as pawns. These churches largely do not believe what the Bible says about the Jews and Israel anyway. Thus, the historic churches of the Holy Land tell the world:

Israel is oppressing us. How can Christian Zionists support the Israeli aggression against fellow Christians in the Holy Land? And if Israel does not surrender to the Jihadists, it will enrage Muslims against other Christian dhimmis throughout the Middle East. Stop the Zionists!

History is ironic. The Church once claimed to replace the Jews, reenforcing their stateless misery. Then, Islam arose with its own supersessionist claim, forcing Middle Eastern Christians into second-class dhimmi status, denying them any sovereignty over Muslims. Now, after 2,000 years, God has kept His biblical promise and restored Jewish sovereignty, putting the lie to both theologies.

The last major allies Israel has, are the several hundred million Protestant Zionists. The Islamist world, with the help of compliant local churches, is desperate to break this alliance. Thus, Muslim and Christian statements issue forth, labeling “Zionism” a “damaging ideology”, blaming it for everything from racism and colonialism to world wars and the common cold. But actual Zionism is simply “the belief that, like other nations, the Jewish people have the legitimate right to national self-determination in their ancestral homeland.” Christian Zionism ties this belief to solid, Biblical support. Some are dispensationalist, while others are not. Thus, Christian Zionists (like many Jews), not only hold this view to be the just, legal, and historically correct position, but also a modern miracle of biblical significance.

We can only speculate, but the nervous tone of the ecclesiastical statement, which protests that the “Patriarchs and Heads of Churches” themselves are the only legitimate authority on these matters, suggests that there could be a movement of traditional Christians — even ecclesiastical leaders meeting with officials — who are tired of playing the dhimmi to Islamist oppression in the Holy Land. These voices may see an alliance with Israel, even a deeper theological reevaluation of their relationship with Israel, as the way of the future, and rightly so.

Interestingly, by expressly blaming Christian Zionism as a “damaging ideology”. the statement is also attacking Jews and Judaism which holds the same biblical conviction. Even non-Zionist Orthodox Jews recognize that the Bible clearly gives the Land to the Jewish people eternally. To call this biblical view theologically unsound is not only to mock biblical logic, but to de-facto attack pious Jews as well — a position the Catholic Church has attempted to be more careful about after its failures in the Holocaust. After Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church officially recognizes the biblical significance of Jews and Judaism. But it stopped short of acknowledging their right to the Land. This promise — which is the most oft-repeated promise in the entire Bible — is thus far denied to the Jews in Catholic theology.

Only on the rarest occasions have Catholic leaders been willing to express any openness to the biblical position on the Land. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn came close in a 2005 address at the Hebrew University where he emphasized that Christians should recognize the Jewish connection to the Holy Land and rejoice in the return of Jews to it as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. He also referenced Pope John Paul II‘s view that the biblical commandment for Jews to live in Israel represents an everlasting covenant that remains valid today. A local Christian priest immediately protested, but to his credit, Cardinal Schönborn did not yield (Catholics for Israel, Mar 31, 2005; citing Jerusalem Post and Washington Post). However, this has never been acknowledged as any official position of the Roman Catholic Church.

**A Cardinal Clash**. When visiting Cardinal Christoph Schönborn (above) expressed at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2005 that Jews living in Israel represented an “everlasting covenant”, a local Christian priest immediately protested signifying the opposition of Catholic orthodoxy to recognising and biblical Jewish connection to the Holy Land.

By and large, while often expressing solidarity with the Jewish diaspora, the Vatican has been one of the strongest anti-Zionist actors in the West, ever since Jewish independence. This is evident in everything from papal audiences helping rebrand arch-terrorist Yasser Arafat as a statesman, to Pope Francis holding Mass in Bethlehem in front of a massive mural of Jesus and Joseph sporting keffiyehs, helping launder the lie the “Jesus was a Palestinian”. It remains a lie. Jesus is a Jew.

**Laundering Lies**. In December 2024, Pope Francis inaugurated a nativity scene in the Vatican showing baby Jesus on keffiyeh to promote and help popularize a relatively new and false narrative that “Jesus was a Palestinian”.

In sum, we are Protestants. We are Biblical Zionists. And we stand for justice in the Holy Land. We protest the unbiblical interpretations of the Roman Catholic Church and its allies. We hold their biblical theology of Israel and the Jews to be thoroughly lacking. We also protest the suffering of historic Christian communities under Islamist oppression. But we see through ecclesiastical statements trying to blame such hardships on the Jewish State and mislead the Evangelical world.

About the writer:

John Enarson is an author and Christian theology student from Sweden. He has lived in the Middle East for over 25 years and currently serves as the Christian Relations Director at Cry For Zion (cryforzion.com). He is happy to receive input or questions about his articles.
j.enarson @gmail.com

POPE LEO STRIKING OUT IN LEBANON

An opportunity wasted as the Pontif threw his faithful under the wheels of his own proverbial Popemobile.

By Jonathan Feldstein

Growing up in Chicago as a White Sox fan, it’s safe to assume that Robert Francis Prevost was very much part of the baseball culture. It’s also safe to assume that he knows the term “swing and miss.” As Pope Leo, it’s astounding to see him swing and miss, not once but three times in the context of his brief visit to Lebanon.

**Baseball Fan**. Before emerging Pope Leo, Robert Francis Prevost was a die-hard Sox fans and is seen here (left corner) with close friends at a 2005 White Sox World Series game at U.S. Cellular Field.

Arriving in the war-torn and Hezbollah dominated country, Pope Leo delivered public remarks ranging on a variety of topics – peace, religious coexistence, the country’s economic crisis, political divisions, and lingering effects of the Israel-Hezbollah war. He even delved into international diplomatic issues that would otherwise be far afield from his theological role as head of the Catholic church, seen by many as a foul ball.

His first strike was not saying anything to ensure the protection and well-being of Christians in Lebanon, long threatened and attacked by Islamists. His best attempt, but definitely a swing and miss, was to make a passive statement urging native Christians to remain in Lebanon and be part of the country’s pluralistic past.

Leo did not, however, explicitly address the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon’s requirement to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025, or the sectarian threats and violence of Islamists that created the Christian exodus from the country where Christians once represented more than half the population. Rather than doing so, he tepidly waited until his airport departure press conference boldly stating:

“The Church has put forward a proposal urging Hezbollah to lay down arms and prioritize dialogue,” adding:

“Armed struggle brings no benefit: renounce violence and engage in constructive talks.”

**Pope’s Peace Prospects?** Stepping onto the ground in war-torn Lebanon with such promise, what impact did Pope Leo have and what opportunities were lost?

Leo placed himself in the center of a months-old ceasefire that is weeks away from failure. It was a pageant play of the absurd. Urging Christians to remain without addressing the threats to them and the obligation to protect the Christian population is analogous to telling an abused wife to remain in her abusive home without ensuring her protection! Essentially, he threw his faithful under the wheels of his own Popemobile.

If the Pope of all people is not going to speak out to truly protect Christians in Lebanon, who will be more righteous than the Pope? The irony is that in the past, Israel has shown more interest in Lebanon’s Christians than many millions of Christians. One vivid example is that my son’s commanding officer in the IDF is a Lebanese-born Christian whose family was among thousands rescued from certain persecution if not slaughter by Hezbollah’s Islamists in 2000.

I am reminded of my friend, Sami, who once cried to me how Hezbollah ruined his life, and begged Israel to eliminate the Islamists.

Pope Leo’s second strike were his comments en route to Lebanon, calling for a “two-state solution” regarding Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. He was mute on protecting Lebanese Christians but put Israel in the crosshairs, suggesting that creating another Islamist Arab state narrowing Israel’s borders and threatening the Jewish state is the “only path” to peace and justice for Israel and Palestinian Arabs.

Speaking to reporters, Leo opined:

“We all know that at present Israel still does not accept this solution, but we see it is the only solution that could offer, let us say, an answer to the conflict they continue to live. We are also friends of Israel, and we are trying to act as a mediating voice for both sides, helping to bring about a solution that is fair for everyone.”

Adding to the swing and miss, Leo shared these comments in the wake of his meeting with Turkey’s Islamist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Pandering to the Islamist who harbors Hamas terrorists and slaughters Kurds, Leo shared that Turkey has an important role in the Middle East, rather than accurately calling out Erdogan’s dangerous threats, in the interest of “coexistence”. One has to wonder why Leo made Turkey the site of his first international trip since being elected, and remained mute on the Islamist’s open threats, converting a former landmark cathedral -the Hagia Sophia – to a mosque, and striving to revive the Ottoman caliphate.

**Mosque with a Message**. As the religious and spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly one thousand years, the landmark cathedral, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, was again converted into a mosque, this time by Erdogan’s Turkish government in 2020.

Strike three was the swing and miss of pandering to Islam rather than standing up boldly in the face of threats Islamists have wreaked, and suggesting a political or diplomatic solution to a problem that rewards and emboldens Islamic terror and a theology that considers Jews and Christians including the Pope as dhimmi – tolerated second class citizens. Rather than pandering to Islamists in Turkey and Lebanon, and truly offering thoughts and a solution in the theme of his visit, “blessed are the peacemakers,” Leo should have done a deep dive into his own faith offering an actual Christian solution for peace, rather than balking and threatening Christians and Israelis in the same stroke.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Pope Leo was at least right when he said that “There is no peace without conversion of hearts,” so how much better to have used his platform to build on his own words to his Muslim audience. In the face of Islamic threats, talk about reconciliation sounds nice, but it does not make persecuted Christians or anyone else safer.

**Pontiff’s Platforms**. Young Robert Prevost (today Pope Leo) is seen here (left) with Pope John Paul II (right) in the 1980s. While John Paul II boldly used his pontiff’s platform to fight against dictatorships and is credited with helping to end communist rule in his native Poland and the rest of Europe, it appears Pope Leo prefers not to ruffle feathers in his pursuance of peace.

He could have offered a Christian solution that involves a “conversion of hearts,” rather than simply mumbling pleasant rhetoric that instead of bringing peace in the Middle East will push everyone further from it.

Beating around the bush in the shadow of Hezbollah’s ‘empire’ made the Islamists laugh their way back to their bunkers as they plot future chaos and misery.

About the writer:

Jonathan Feldstein - President of the US based non-profit Genesis123 Foundation whose mission is to build bridges between Jews and Christians – is a freelance writer whose articles appear in The Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Townhall, NorthJersey.com, Algemeiner Jornal, The Jewish Press, major Christian websites and more.

CATHOLICISM AND THE KEFFIYEH

Response of a Catholic to the Pontiff’s visually symbolic embrace of terrorism.

By Michael McKenna

Many a bible verse defines the gospel message of Christmas to embrace:

honour, love, respect, support and peaceful coexistence for the greater good of all

The emphasis here is on ALL humanity.

Following on from this context, I was taken aback when seeing a photograph in an article I stumbled upon featuring the nativity display during the traditional Vatican’s ‘Christmas Tree’ ceremony at St Peter’s Square. It featured Pope Francis sitting next to the display of baby Jesus lying on – a keffiyeh!

**Distorting Jesus**. Highlighting a false ‘Palestinian’ association to the birth of Jesus, Pope Francis nevertheless prays before the ‘Nativity of Bethlehem 2024’ in the Vatican, during the private audience with donors of the nativity scene and the lighting of the Christmas tree ceremony on December 7, 2024. (Andreas Solaro/ AFP)

I took strong exception to this politically orchestrated inclusion of the Keffiyeh which Google included in its description:

“A popularized black-and-white keffiyeh associated with revolutionary purpose of Palestinians”

This contrived scenario begs the question:

“Why specifically incorporate this particular keffiyeh or why portray something politically symbolic in such a display”?

Why commensurate with the Pope’s general Christmas message of the virtues listed above, he allows himself to be associated with the contrived keffiyeh? He knows only too well that this iconic apparel can be associated with confrontational, violent and negative interpretations that both offends and insults what we, as Christians, believe what our Lord Jesus represents?

**Pontif and Politics**. Portraying Jesus as a Palestinian is historically inaccurate. Jesus was born and died a Jew in Roman-occupied Judea, a historical reality that cannot be ignored or reinterpreted to fit modern political agendas.

As a Catholic, I felt uncomfortable by the Pontiff’s handling of this sensitive situation as it indirectly inflames that which we strive to accomplish, namely, to embrace, unite and respect everyone’s beliefs, whist seeking common ground in establishing an endearing and peaceful understanding for one another.

The appearance of Pope Francis in this compromised political position certainly raised the ire of many Catholics and Christians who are still questioning the Pontiff’s intentions and the Vatican’s overall approach to world peace and understanding amongst nations. Many continue to echo their rejection of this representation with a hope that such a display does not by association, taint Christian scriptures and practice.

To underline the point, would a particular religious faith in an “act of solidarity”, highlight during a prominent religious occasion, display something highly controversial and politically provocative, particularly during the global political and religious climate we find ourselves in?

**Catholic Controversy**. Speaking at the event, a wheelchair-bound Pope Frances opened the annual nativity scene at the Vatican featuring the traditional Palestinian national scarf draped on Jesus’s cradle, which had been created by Palestinian artists from Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem. Following controversy, the kaffeiyeh was later removed.

Engaging in serious discussion with a fellow Christian, he expressed, with sound reasoning and sadness, the fall of our faith, defining it as an “International sport playground beyond comprehension” being utilised as a platform to humiliate, attack us, to encourage, mock and to advance a world order contrary to our Christian beliefs. I look forward to all fellow Christians’ response to this development whilst seeking common respectful ground for all faiths and religions worldwide.

About the writer:

Michael McKenna , from Harare, Zimbabwe joined the advertising world in 1984 (… progressing to an “Assistant Creative Director 1990). His voice-overs featured on a number of advertisements flighted on both television and radio (also mimicking accents such as Indian, West Indian, Australian and others in some advertisements) , and a year later, commenced as a presenter on Air Zimbabwe’s sponsored weather report on national television. In 1990, Michael joined what was then “BOP TV”, where he continued with voice-over work for adverts, progressing to continuity presenting on television, news/sports presenting on “Radio Bop” and eventually, presenting live news, current affairs programmes and events. Michael has worked as a marketing co-ordinator for a top auditing firm in Johannesburg, following which he joined ENCA (“E-News Channel Africa) presenting Sport News. He has also worked in radio for HOT 102.7 as a News Presenter, and is currently with “Chai FM” in Johannesburg presenting an afternoon community/current affairs show as well as presenting news on the station.

SHEMA YISRAEL IN THE BLACK FOREST

A visit by two Israeli tourists to Germany’s Black Forest revealed more surprises than could ever have expected

By Motti Verses

A few years ago, before Covid, my longtime friend, a PR expert and writer, Itzhak Rabihiya, shared with me a story of one of his very special clients. A group of Christians from Germany, had brought in 2019 to Jerusalem a 120-kg gilded golden menorah. Modeled after the menorah depicted on the Arch of Titus in Rome, the replica of the Temple candelabra measured 150 cm. The Germans raised €120,000 with private donations to fund the initiative and at the time explained their motivation:

“The church never returned the holy candelabra back to the Jewish people and we want to make amends. By our bringing of this iconic and historically so symbolic menorah, we are conveying a public message towards the Jewish people and asking for forgiveness. It’s our way of returning after 2000 years, the menorah from Rome to Jerusalem.”

**Enlightening Relations**. Prior to Covid, a 120-kg. gilded menorah, a replica of the Temple candelabra was brought from Germany to Israel in 2019. (Photo courtesy ‘Christians For Israel- Germany’)

I must say that this surprising initiative – which they termed “The Menorah Project” – was hard for me to fully comprehend. Anyway, over the years, the story turned into a fuzzy memory until a week ago, when Rabihiya and myself participated in a media trip that included visiting tourist attractions in Germany’s Black Forest. “You’re not going to believe this,” said Rabihiya. “You remember those Christian Germans and the menorah project from a few years back, well; they heard we were in their neighborhood and have invited us to visit.” Intrigued, we accepted the invitation and made the necessary arrangements.

Deep in the Schwarzwald, Germany’s Black Forest is a picturesque region with enchanting attractions. Known for its dense, evergreen forests and picturesque villages, it is often associated with the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and the cuckoo clocks.

It was a late afternoon and we programmed our vehicle’s GPS to the town of Altensteig. Certainly not a destination for the average tourist but to us visiting Israelis, it would prove an experience that I will always cherish! We planned to meet a woman, Delly Hezel, the power-house behind the Christian Germans group, supporting Israel. The forest suddenly thinned out when the small town came into sight. Our destination was a quiet street in a modest neighborhood. Delly opened the front door of her apartment and welcomed us in with a wide smile. Inside the living room, her decorations blew my mind.

**Stunning Surprise**. Standing in the kitchen in front of the large poster of the Jewish prayer ‘Shema Yisrael’, (l-r) Itzhak Rabihiya, Delly Hezel and the writer in the apartment in Altensteig in Germany’s Black Forest. (Photo courtesy Motti Verses)

**Illuminating Encounter**. The gigantic board of ‘Shema Israel’ in Delly Hezel apartment in Altensteig with seven stick candelabra in front. (Photo courtesy Motti Verses)

There were flags of Israel hanging on the windows; pictures and sculptures of Jewish menorahs, a gigantic board of ‘Shema Israel’, copious souvenirs from Israel and wherever I looked, symbols of Judaism. Her welcome and warmth was so touching especially during these turbulent times of rising global antisemitism and to discover such a heartfelt connection in the heart of Germany’s Black Forest, was so overwhelmingly.

**Friend and Family**. Delly Hezel, a powerful force behind the Christian Germans group supporting Israel says: “I have been coming to Israel regularly for over 15 years. My friends no longer see me as just a friend, but as part of their family. We experience joy and sorrow together, and it is especially in times of need that we stick together the most.” (website: www.csi-aktuell.de)

Who are they – these surprise supporters of Israel tucked away in Germany’s Black Forest? Founded 26 years ago at the time when Israel celebrated its 50th Independence Day, ‘Christians for Israel – Germany’ initiates projects for Israel, raising 1 million Euro every year. However, since the October 7^th massacre, the involvement has intensified. Many protests and gatherings in support of Israel have been held in Berlin as well as in their region. A website “Israel at war” that shows ways to support Israel was created and survivors of the massacre were hosted by the group in the Black Forest to help with their recovery process. Delly has visited Israel seven times since the war started to show support. Additional organization members joined, embracing the motto:

‘Be present MORE in Israel, NOT less’

Partnering with the Jewish National Fund (JNF), Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency, since the massacre, ‘Christians for Israel-Germany’ have raised over 600.000 Euro in support of Israel.

A short time after our arrival, Markus Neumann,the organization’s energetic deputy, joined us, and told us to climb into the waiting vehicles as we were being hosted for dinner in Bondorf, a small pastoral village, a half-an-hour drive east of Altensteig. The host was Luca Hezel, Delly’s son, head of ‘Christians for Israel- Germany’.

Climbing the stairs to the penthouse apartment, leaving our shoes outside, we were warmly greeted by Luca, his wife Sonja and their two small blonde children Avi and Noa. For a brief moment, I thought Sonja and Luca were the busy ones in the kitchen. During the drive, I had imagined a dish of Bratwurst, a type of German sausage made from pork, beef, or veal. That culinary imagery faded rather quickly when I saw who was really busy in the kitchen! To our complete surprise, it were two Israelis, Avishay Argentaro from Kfar Aza, the kibbutz near Gaza that had been turned into a site of carnage on October 7, and his friend Zadok Aktzin from Ben Shemen, a moshav in central Israel.

Argentaro’s story left us breathless.

**Sizzling Shakshuka**. Avishay Argentaro from Kibbutz Kfar Aza prepares the dinner in Bondorf. The pan on the right is sizzling with Shakshuka. (Photo courtesy Motti Verses)

He related how on October 7, he together with his wife and their two children, they survived nearly 22 hours of terror. During these torturous hours, they hid in the dark, heard terrorists shooting around them and received messages of cries for help from their friends and neighbors. A few weeks later, Argentaro – who previously had participated in the ‘Chef Games’ television program – decided to embark on a culinary venture where he visits homes, cooks for the residents and talks about life on his kibbutz, where he has lived all his life.

Quite amazingly, long before the massacre of October 7, 2023, Argentaro and the ‘Christians for Israel-Germany’ had built up an endearing and enduring relationship for “Already some 12 years.” Now however, it was Argentaro first time in Germany and after our unexpected evening, he was set to culinary engage with local German communities in the Black Forest by cooking dinners and speaking about life in Israel.

**Taste of Israel**. Our Israeli dinner in the Black Forest included homemade Hummus, Shakshuka, baked cauliflower, Israeli salads and other familiar dishes enjoyed daily in Israel. (Photo courtesy Motti Verses)

“The diners will enjoy my gastronomy, but I will also tell them my story of October 7th and what Israel has been going through since,” he said. Argentaro’s dinner in the Black Forest started with the Birkat Hamazon (‘grace’) and all the participants followed with “Amen”. The meal included homemade Hummus, Shakshuka, baked cauliflower, Israeli salads and other familiar dishes we enjoy daily in Israel. It was certainly an evening to remember.

**“It will be a sign on your hand” Exodus 13:9**. ‘Christians For Israel-Germany’ have produced two bracelets that expresses “Our solidarity with the Jewish people and Israel in this time of distress! They should also help to remind us of two commandments of the hour: “**Never again is now!**” and “**Germany on Israel’s side!**“

Delly’s admiration of Judaism and the people of Israel is remarkable. I wanted to understand why, with so much passion for the Israel and Judaism, she doesn’t convert. She explained:

“I believe in Hashem, Abraham, Izik and Jacob and also in Jesus. But not as a God like Christianity is believing. I believe Jesus was a Rabbi with followers. For me he is the Messiah and when he comes, we can ask him if it is his first visit or his second. This is the only difference we have.”

**Blue and White in Black Forest**. Abundant Israeli flags at a German rally for Israel in the Black Forest. (Photo courtesy ‘Christians For Israel-Germany’)

The Black Forest may well be an area full of surprises for tourists but for us two visiting Israelis, our experience with the wonderful people of Christians for Israel-Germany was something I can only describe in biblical parlance – It was a ‘Revelation’!

* ‘Christians for Israel – Germany’ website: www.csi-aktuell.de

** Linkdin:

About the writer:

The writer, Motti Verses, is a Travel Flash Tips publisher. His travel stories are published on THE TIMES OF ISRAEL https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/motti-verses/.
And his hospitality analysis reviews on THE JERUSALEM POST, are available on his Linkedin page LinkedIn Israelhttps://il.linkedin.com › motti-verse…Motti Verses – Publisher and Chief Editor – TRAVEL FLASH TIPS
And his hospitality analysis reviews on THE JERUSALEM POST, are available on his Linkedin page LinkedIn Israelhttps://il.linkedin.com › motti-verse…Motti Verses – Publisher and Chief Editor – TRAVEL FLASH TIPS

REBUILDING PARADISE

Revisiting Kibbutz Be’eri, I saw a deep resolve and determination to overcome and to once again create a sanctuary for future generations.

By Galya Hall

Paradise. That’s how so many people have described what it was like living on Kibbutz Be’eri. That paradise was shattered in unimaginable ways on the 7th October last year when Hamas monsters invaded the serenity of a special Simchat Torah Shabbat morning and unleashed hell.

**Gaza’s Rabble reduce Israeli homes to Rubble**. A home on Kibbutz Be’eri reduced to rubble.

Paradise and communal joy made way for a terrifying nightmare resulting in communal grief and despair. There is no doubt that the road ahead is a long and painful one but it is a road that this Kibbutz will travel and will conquer. Hamas sought to destroy this community on Oct 7th and committed countless unspeakable atrocities but having spent time with them there is one thing that I know for sure – this community chooses life; their spirits are strong and they will rebuild and grow.

**No Words.** Reduced to a ghost town following the Hamas invasion, Kibbutz Be’eri on the Israel-Gaza border was once a thriving community complete with schools and playgrounds, shops and cafes, and beautiful homes filled with beautiful people. (Photo: Erik Marmor/Flash90)

Last week, a special ceremony took place at Kibbutz Be’eri when the foundation stone of a new neighbourhood was laid. It really was a great honour to be invited to attend this ceremony with my family and to represent the organisation in Jerusalem that we lead, Christian Friends of Israel.

During the ceremony the speeches were positive and uplifting and hearing Idan Raichel sing in such a setting was very moving…but looking into the eyes of some of the residents of Be’eri, including my friend who miraculously survived, and sensing their desire to live and love life in the same place that was filled with a murderous evil that I still cannot comprehend, made a huge impact on me. I was reminded again why I love this nation and her people. They will heal, they will survive, they will rebuild, their Kibbutz will blossom again and be a place of love and hope once more.

**Sounds of Sorrow to Sounds of Resilience**. Renowned singer-songwriter and musician Idan Eichel performing at Kibbutz Be’eri. (Photo: Galya Hall)

Why?

Because this nation and this people love life and choose life, every single time.

During my first visit to Be’eri earlier this year I was intensely affected by the visual of what actually occurred on Oct 7^th. The destruction and devastation were too much to take in. I could sense the violence and murder. I could almost feel the venom and evil. The pain and trauma were, in some ways, tangible and a lingering despair dominated every inch of the place. It was palpable.

During my second visit to attend the ceremony, something felt different. Yes, the pain and grief of those whose loved ones were murdered or whose loved ones are still held captive as hostages in Gaza remains etched in every face I looked into, but that was not all I saw. I witnessed, in equal measure, a deep resolve and determination to overcome and to once again create a sanctuary for generations to come. What an inspiration they are.

I am immensely grateful that our organisation has been able to play a small part in this process. We have participated in meetings with the residents of Be’eri who are leading the design and rebuilding of the damaged areas of the Kibbutz. They are preparing the plans for new houses and communal areas, including educational facilities, a medical centre and a dental practice. Large areas were completely decimated and destroyed by Hamas on October 7 and need to be rebuilt. We feel privileged to have been involved in these discussions and will do all we can to assist and support.

**Friends facing the Future**. The writer (left) with her friend Natasha who survived the massacre at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. (Photo: Galya Hall)

Further, we were able to give a significant donation that allowed for the purchase of large electrical appliances – washing machines, ovens and fridge freezers – to support 50 families. These appliances will go into the temporary accommodations being set up on the Kibbutz. Families who are still displaced in hotels will now be able to return home to Be’eri and live in these accommodations until their new homes are finished being built.

**Be’eri Bounces Back**. The writer’s husband and their baby boy Hosea helping to lay the foundation stone of Be’eri’s new neighborhood. (Photo: Galya Hall)

On a very personal note, I was struck by something quite beautiful while we were at the ceremony last week. My husband and I were blessed with a baby boy three months ago. His name is Hosea and he is named after the Biblical prophet Hosea who spoke so tenderly to the people of Israel about G-d’s love, healing and redemption. The ancient prophet’s father’s name was Be’eri and it was an incredible moment seeing our Hosea present at the ceremony and being a part of the redemption story of Kibbutz Be’eri – a story of hope and a future.

**Be’eri’s Pioneers**. Father of released captive Shoshan Haran, Abraham Haran(second from right), with his fellow pioneering dairy farmers at Kibbutz Be’eri in the late 1940s. Haran died in 2022, not long before the October 7 massacre. (Courtesy Aviv Havron)

The residents of Kibbutz Be’eri remind me of Israel’s early pioneers who let nothing stop them from developing and nurturing the Land with resilience, conviction and hope. They let nothing stop them in their quest to dwell in their ancient homeland, to beautify it and to see it blossom. The people of Be’eri are the same.

**Planning for Tomorrow**. Following total devastation inflicted by Hamas from Gaza, an artist’s plan for Be’eri’s new neighbourhood. (Photo: Galya Hall)

They love this Land and they love each other. Under their watch, and with G-d’s help, it will be a paradise once more.

Am Israel Chai!

About the writer:

Galya Hall. Director of Media and Public Relations, Christian Friends of Israel.

WHO CARES ABOUT CHRISTIANS IN PAKISTAN?

Nowhere else in the world are persecuted Christians in more danger from mob violence than in Muslim Pakistan but clearly a story of no interest to a world unless it can blame Jews!

By Jonathan Feldstein

If you were to read this article about the first Christian woman in Pakistan to become a brigadier general, you would think that Pakistan was a bastion of tolerant interfaith liberalism. Nothing is further from the truth. Let’s look at this in the proper context.

Last month, something horrible happened in Bethlehem. “Christ at the Checkpoint” is a clever name for a nefarious orgy of hatred organized by people who call themselves Christians, but who advocate for the destruction of Israel, and the massacre of Jewish people. It is built on a biblically baseless foundation riddled with replacement theology, propagating the lie that God no longer has a covenant with the Jewish people.

**Praying for Protection**. Pakistani Christians hold a demonstration condemning a recent mob attack on a Christian settlement in Peshawar, Pakistan, August 20, 2023. ( Photo: Mohammad Sajjad/AP)

Unfortunately, more and more people believe and advocate for this including a recent interview by Tucker Carlson with Reverend Munther Isaac, one of the leaders of Palestinian liberation theology, and biggest proponents of the hollow theology that it represents.

I was reminded of this recently when a Christian friend in Pakistan contacted me to ask for my help. I cannot write anything that will reveal who or where she is, but her circumstances along with that many Christians in Pakistan, are harrowing. I, an Orthodox Jew, have been helping them for years.

My friend and her family have been subject to multiple instances of persecution and assault. Recently she and another family member were hospitalized due to Moslems beating them just because they’re Christian. I have seen the X-rays for broken bones that will heal, but in a society that is riddled with hate there is too much that will not heal. The most recent attack on her family is the third in recent months, as they try to force them to convert to Islam, and force their women to marry Moslem men.

My friend is incredibly strong in her faith. I wish I could share everything that I know. She, her family, and countless other Christians, live in fear. I have a number of Christian friends in Pakistan who tell me the same story.

She asked for my help because they fear for their lives. They need to leave Pakistan, to flee to another country.

She told me where they can go to claim asylum, and how much it will cost. On the one hand, she is my friend and I want to help in any way I can personally. Because of my work building bridges between Jews and Christians, I am also focused on helping Christians who are in dire need, especially here in the Middle East, and especially when facing similar threats from Moslems as we do in Israel. From a human perspective, it’s hard to say no.

**Anyone at the UN interested?** A Muslim crowd vandalized churches and torched homes in the town in the Faisalabad district after two Christians were accused of blasphemy in Aug. 16, 2023. (OSV News photo/Fayyaz Hussain, Reuters)

Another friend has been asking me for months if I can help him get a visa to any country where he can find work. Unfortunately, I have no connections to help him, and unfortunately, even other Christians with links to Pakistan who I have asked to help have been unresponsive. You can walk across the Mexican border with no problem, but actually getting a visa to flee, that’s insurmountable.

I know that if it were possible, there would be an infinite number of Christians who would flee Pakistan and other Arab Islamic countries. There’s a timeless Jewish teaching that “he who saves one live saves the world.” The Genesis 123 Foundation is committed to saving as many lives as possible.

I thought of Tucker Carlson’s appalling interview because he not only allowed, but propagated a lie of Christians suffering at the hand of Israel. He and Munther Isaac blamed the suffering of Palestinian Arab Christians on Israel, without once mentioning anything about Islam, or the actual Moslem neighbors who truly threaten Christians, and under whose control Bethlehem has gone from a city of 80% Christian to less than 10%.

**Cunning Carlson**. Tucker Carlson blames Israel for Christian suffering in Bethlehem and in opening remarks, implies that Christians are dying disproportionately in Israel’s war with Hamas, deviously intended to provoke American Christians to turn away from Israel.

I also know the truth of Christians being persecuted and threatened in the Palestinian Authority, and in Israel, by their Moslem neighbors firsthand, from Arab Christians who share with me their frustration and fear.

Tucker Carlson asked rhetorically why more people don’t stand up for a Christians in the Middle East to set up a way to blame Israel rather than actually identify the cause. Since I have worked helping Christians in Pakistan, Turkey, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority for years, my response is very clear. Christians typically are not as tribal as Jews, and do not see the suffering of Christians in other parts of the world as being something for which they have an inherent responsibility, or ability to overcome. Jews consider helping one another an imperative.

**Torching Christians**. One of the churches burned down on the outskirts of Faisalabad in 2023, following an attack by Muslim men after a Christian family was accused of blasphemy. (Photo: Ghazanfar Majidi/AFP/Getty Images)

In the past, when I initiated major campaigns to help Christians in the Middle East, I have been frustrated with the lack of support, wondering why at least a million Christians don’t donate $10 to make a real difference. Maybe $25.

Nevertheless, I cannot stop advocating for my friends, Christians living in Arab and Moslem nations, and for Christians in general.

For my friend’s family of five it will cost $37,000 to pay for their visas, airfare, and initial setting up of a home in another country. That’s $7,400 each to give them a new life free of fear, free of violent assaults, and with the ability to live as Christians. But it’s also half of an average annual Pakistani income. So, the dream of leaving is no more possible than the unbearable nightmare of their reality. Somewhere in there is a clever Mastercard commercial. But this is life and death, and saving a single life is “priceless.”

**Muslim Mobs**. No church is safe as was this one on the outskirts of Faisalabad under the country’s strict blasphemy laws. (Photo: Ghazanfar Majidi/AFP/Getty Images)

I suspect that the closest that Tucker Carlson ever has come to actually doing something tangible on behalf of Christians in the Middle East, is his disappointing and dishonest diatribe blaming Israel for problems rather than looking for actual solutions, than truly doing anything to help directly. That is shameful. It’s one thing to be dispassionate and do nothing. But it’s another thing to spread lies that make the situation for Christians in the Middle East even worse. Maybe Tucker will see this, and maybe he will surprise us and donate the $37,000.

**Homeless Pakistani Christians**. Due to the country’s blasphemy laws and an anti-Christian worldview, the majority of Pakistani Christians live in extreme poverty and endure threats of incarceration, violence, and even death.

Let’s assume that he doesn’t and let’s assume that nobody else will step up. As a network of Jews and Christians working together, worldwide, I have asked and received a warm response so far for people to join the Genesis 123 Foundation to make a difference and help at least this one family since there are far more persecuted Christians in Pakistan than those promoted to brigadier general.

About the writer:

Jonathan Feldstein - President of the US based non-profit Genesis123 Foundation whose mission is to build bridges between Jews and Christians – is a freelance writer whose articles appear in The Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Townhall, NorthJersey.com, Algemeiner Jornal, The Jewish Press, major Christian websites and more.

WHY I AM CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES

Building bridges between Jews and Christians has its potholes – we must overcome

By Jonathan Feldstein

(*Photos courtesy of ICEJ)

The Feast of Tabernacles is how many Christians refer to Sukkot, the Biblical festival we are celebrating this week. It is also a multi-day event known in shorthand as “the Feast”, organized by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), arguably Israel’s largest annual tourist event, drawing thousands of Christians from all over the world since 1980.

Celebration and Solidarity. Thousands of Christian Evangelists and Israelis march at a parade in center of Jerusalem, marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot or the Feast of the Tabernacles, October 13, 2022 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH 90)

As I have done for years, this year I am celebrating both. But this year, all the more so I am celebrating the thousands of Christians who come to Israel to celebrate with us in light of calls by some other members of the Jewish community, to protest the ICEJ event. Albeit that those calling to protest represent a fringe minority, they have drawn hundreds of protesters in the past in what have been described as hateful and intimidating. I pray that calls to protest this week will be muted.

**If Music be the Food of Love**. Christian entertainers from all over the world such as the ‘Sounds of the Nations’ from Fiji, ‘Northworship’ from Norway, ‘Raise the Banner Dance’ and ‘Worship Team’ from the Philippines performing this October 2023 in Jerusalem.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not in favor of anyone coming to Israel to try to convert Jews to anything. Not to Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, or anything else. Building bridges with Christians around the world, I speak about that often and openly. While there is a reality of missionary activity that takes place in Israel, calls to protest the Feast of Tabernacles and its Parade of the Nations are particularly misplaced. Here’s why.

Judaism has a long history of intellectual debate and dialogue. Just as we do so widely among ourselves, we can discuss theological differences with our Christian friends, and do so respectfully, not to shout down or intimidate others. Indeed, if we believe what we believe about Judaism, it just makes more sense to share that, challenging others (Jews and gentiles) with whom we differ. Legitimate protests are legitimate, but not when they border on assault as some have become.

**March of the Nations**. Thousands of Christians from more than 90 countries march through the streets of Jerusalem on October 4, 2023.(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Jews in general and the State of Israel in specific have an obligation to protect and respect Christians and Christian sites in Israel, and welcome Christians living among us or visiting for the Feast, even if we disagree theologically. It’s OK to disagree with friends even on important things, even on things that are big. As early Christianity grew out of Judaism, and that Jesus was a Jew, while we have some major theological differences, we have far much more in common.

**Celebrating in Israel**. Inspiring address by Reverend Manasa Kolivuso from Fiji to the Christian visitors from around the world in Jerusalem.

We need to understand who our friends really are. ICEJ and many other Christian ministries exist today to be a blessing to Israel and the Jewish people, to break down barriers of the past in addition to crimes committed by “the Church” in the name of Jesus, and teach Christians about the proper role of Christians vis-à-vis Israel and the Jewish people. If we embrace all of the Tanach, the Old Testament, we must affirm that the Temple, for which we pray to be rebuilt daily, is and will be a house of prayer for all nations, not a Jewish synagogue.

**From Israel with Love**. Christians from all over the world, celebrating the Feast of the Tabernacle in Jerusalem.

While the Temple does not exist for now, the celebration of one of the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals by Christian gentiles from around the world should be celebrated. This brings us closer to the redemption that we – Jews and Christians – both pray and wait for. In fact, it’s a direct realization of the prophecy of our prophet, Zachariah, 14:16. Not coincidentally, Zachariah 14:16 is a cornerstone for ICEJ’s inspiration to organize the Feast decades ago.

Building bridges between Jews and Christians has its potholes. It’s not always easy. Sometimes it’s a theological version of a contact sport. But it’s not good enough for Jews, whether they are involved in or support such activities or not, to paint all Christians and all history of relations between Jews and Christians with a broad brush. People need to know what they’re talking about. Nuance matters. Not only was ICEJ one of the original and longest standing Christian organizations to set up shop in Jerusalem to be a blessing to Israel, specifically for and during the Feast, they proactively tell Christian participants that missionary activity is not appropriate or appreciated. Does that mean that each of the thousands of participants understand that completely or honor it? No, not necessarily. But ICEJ as an organization draws a line in the sand that they tell participants not to cross.

**Sights and Sounds of Solidarity**. The Feast of the Tabernacle is a huge statement of solidarity with Israel and the participants should be treated with respect and not subject to protest and spitting as took place on Tuesday when Orthodox Jews spat on and shouted at a group of Christian pilgrims who were walking in Jerusalem’s Old City .

In a recent Jerusalem Post Op Ed (26 September), David Parsons, Vice President and Senior Spokesman for ICEJ, recognized that Jews who object to the Christian presence and activities in Israel do so for many reasons, none of which are applicable to ICEJ:

“The protesters and those who back them have expressed doubts about our friendship. They are afraid it is a cover for missionary activity. Others question our motives for standing with Israel, saying we are just here out of guilt for past Christian antisemitism, or we want to bring back Jesus, or – worst of all – we are out to force the Apocalypse.”

Parsons assures onbehalf of the tens of millions of Evangelicals worldwidethat:

“…the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has been refuting these claims for decades, both through our words and our benevolent deeds in the land.”

As unpleasant as it is to be the target of protests, he acknowledged that “it is not easy to turn attitudes around so quickly after centuries of Christian hostility and violence towards Jews. We realize the Jewish people went through a long, hard journey of exile among the nations over many centuries, and this involved much suffering. Regrettably, many of these travails were inflicted by Christians.”

**Celebrating the Tabernacle**. Christians from around the world come to Jerusalem every fall as they have been doing for the past three decades to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, sponsored by the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem.

Sukkot is arguably the Jewish holiday with the widest roots among gentiles. It’s long known that when the Temple stood during Sukkot, Jews would bring 70 offerings on behalf of the 70 nations of the world.

In a recent conversation on the “Inspiration from Zion” podcast, Rabbi David Stav of the Orthodox Jewish organization Tzohar, noted that Christian support for Israel is a sign of redemption. Rabbi Stav specifically related to King Solomon building the Temple in Jerusalem, referring to it as a house of prayer for all nations, with gentiles bringing offerings to the Temple. Rabbi Stav also highlighted that this is part of Jewish prayer daily. Therefore it’s something that Jews need to understand and affirm as well, not just in meaningless prayer.

Commenting on recent Jewish protests and violent acts toward Christians, Rabbi Stav noted that Israel’s first Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Kook, said that to be Jewish is to love all humanity, to be a blessing and a light unto the nations. Judaism needs to care about the all people who, as we know, are created in the image of God.

The ICEJ is no longer the only embassy in Jerusalem, although for decades it was, serving as the face of international Chrisitan support for Israel. We celebrate each time a new country establishes an embassy in Jerusalem, and we pray today that more will. For decades the world did not recognize Israeli sovereignty to or Jewish history in any part of Jerusalem. We must gratefully acknowledge the role of the ICEJ in vigorously countering the hurtful prejudice against the Jewish state and celebrate together the Feast of Tabernacles.

About the writer:

Jonathan Feldstein - President of the US based non-profit Genesis123 Foundation whose mission is to build bridges between Jews and Christians – is a freelance writer whose articles appear in The Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Townhall, NorthJersey.com, Algemeiner Jornal, The Jewish Press, major Christian websites and more.

PAKISTANI BURNING

Israelis respond to mobs burning Christian churches and homes in Pakistan after blasphemy allegations

By Jonathan Feldstein

Perhaps you have heard the news. Fires torching hundreds of properties. Entire households burned to the ground. Every personal belonging lost. Thousands of lives destroyed. The devastation has been unprecedented, and it will take years to rebuild that which can be rebuilt. But the personal tragedies and lives lost may never heal.

If you’re in the West, you may have heard about the tremendous loss in Maui, Hawaii. Wildfires have left a trail of death and destruction. As horrible as that is, it is not what I am writing about today.

Christians look at burnt furniture and other things outside their homes vandalized by an angry Muslim mob in Jaranwala in the Faisalabad district, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

While Maui was burning in what was an act of God, Christian communities in Pakistan have been burning, torched to the ground, not as an act of God but as an act of evil. Trumped up charges of “blasphemy” by Moslems in Pakistan against two Christian men was the spark that set off a widespread rampage of attacks by Moslems against their Christian neighbors that have lasted nearly a week as of this writing.

In Pakistan, charges of blasphemy can carry a death penalty. Blasphemy can be as simple as “embarrassing” Islam. Sometimes, mobs of people take this Pakistani Islamic justice into their own hands. So much for the religion of peace.

For days, an out-of-control pogrom has been carried out against Christians, with law enforcement turning a blind eye as if there’s any legitimate excuse for that. Dozens of churches have been ransacked, looted, and burned to the ground. Hundreds of Christian homes were also attacked, looted, and burned. Personal belongings that were too big to loot were simply dragged to the street and burned. Countless bibles have been burnt, desecrated, destroyed.

A boy comforts a woman weeping after her home was vandalised by a Muslim mob. (KM Chaudary/AP Photo)

All this, displaced thousands of lives, entire extended families forced to flee their homes, their communities, seeking shelter anywhere they could, even makeshift tents in open areas. Not that this would make them safer from the attacks of their Moslem neighbors. It just made them more vulnerable, marked, open to assault. Just less to burn. They fled with the clothes on their backs, and now have nothing left, and no homes to return to.

Pakistan Muslim Mob Attacks Christian Churches, Property Over Blasphemy Charges

Even if they could return, how will they ever move back, even if their homes are rebuilt? How will they ever feel safe among the Moslem neighbors whose hate was ignited against them and their faith? But they are stuck in Pakistan, with nowhere to go, as second-class citizens, tolerated but not really accepted. The targets of evil hatred whenever there’s an excuse. There’s no recourse.

A few years ago, I posted a video on YouTube of a Christian man in Pakistan being lynched and burned to death. Apparently that – the posting not the lynching and burning – violated their “community standards” against violence. Earlier this year, because of that, YouTube blocked me. When I “appealed”, I got an immediate automated response that my appeal was rejected. I laughed at first, realizing that YouTube houses no shortage of gratuitous violence, but when it comes to posting real crimes to highlight the evil amid which Christians have to exist there, that’s too much for their sensitive community standards. I hesitate to post videos I have seen of the most recent violence, but they are real and horrific.

Unlike Maui, Pakistani Christians have no insurance. No state of federal money to rebuild. Police are not comforting, much less protecting the victims in Pakistan. Pakistani Christians exist in the crosshairs of a society that’s simply unsafe. They are tolerated, sometimes, but not protected. Second class? How about seventh class.

A Christian man emerges from a vandalised home in Jaranwala. (KM Chaudary/AP Photo)

In the past week, many of my Pakistani Christian friends have turned to me, in Israel, for prayers and support. They are heartbroken, devastated, and scared. Yet as much as they fear for themselves and their families, they are trying to help those most in need, as good Christians should for one another. However, for them, simply reaching out to me, an Orthodox Jew in Israel, could trigger more violence, even lynching. As much as they may be “tolerated” in Pakistan, Israel and the Jews are the enemy.

They also know I’ll help, because I care, and because I did a year ago when they were struck by floods of Biblical proportions and Christians suffered because of their status far more than average Moslem Pakistanis. Seventh class.

Christians remove burned furniture and other items from their vandalised homes. [KM Chaudary/AP Photo]

I undertook this effort then on behalf of the Genesis 123 Foundation which exists to build bridges between Jews and Christians and Christians with Israel in ways that are new, unique, and meaningful. This includes looking out for persecuted Christians, specifically in the Middle East. A year ago, after unprecedented flooding across Pakistan, we stepped up to raise funds to support our Pakistani Christian friends who suffered even more of the devastation than the Moslem population. Unprecedented. An organization of Jews and Christians, run by an Orthodox Israeli Jew, reaching out to protect Christians in Pakistan. It was a blessing to do so, and it was our responsibility, to be a blessing to the families of the world.

Church on the outskirts of Faisalabad was burned. [Ghazanfar Majid/AFP]

As entire families in Pakistan have been devastated, we launched a campaign again, urgently, to provide any funding, as generously as possible, so we can help with the rebuilding. Our partners and friends are reliable and have the highest integrity. One is asking for a meagre $20,000. The truth is even $120,000 is not enough. But that’s our goal. We want the impact to be felt as widely as possible because there are and will be needs far beyond the physical and tangible losses.

I pray that Jews and Christians, and anyone of good conscience, will step up and join the efforts. Maui is horrible. My heart is pained for all the loss. But as much as that’s true, there’s no aid for Pakistani Christians. Not until now.

About the writer:

Jonathan Feldstein - President of the US based non-profit Genesis123 Foundation whose mission is to build bridges between Jews and Christians – is a freelance writer whose articles appear in The Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Townhall, NorthJersey.com, Algemeiner Jornal, The Jewish Press, major Christian websites and more.

The City of Jaffa is in The State of Israel!

Open letter by Stephen Schulman

During Ramadan, South Africa’s online newspaper, The Daily Maverick published a food article by Cape Town writer Ayesha Mukadam entitled, “Celebrating Ramadan by Sending ‘boeka’ Plates around the World.”

image004 - 2020-06-01T133051.949 — **Careless With Cuisine.** Founder of ‘Boeka Without Borders’, writer Ayesha Mukadam chooses to deny Israel’s existence in her food article.

A Cape Muslim Afrikaans word for breaking one’s fast at sunset during Ramadan, “Boeka”, explains Mukadam, “is synonymously celebrated in the Cape with the sharing and exchange of boeka plates with neighbours, family and friends.”

Not possible during Covid-19, the writer laments “It is the first Ramadan that I can recall, where no boeka plates are being exchanged. I missed this Cape tradition that is inherent to my culture and upbringing.”

To compensate, Mukadam created an Instagram platform and invited people during the month of Ramadan while under lockdown, to share their “virtual boeka from across streets, neighbourhoods, countries and oceans.”

Amongst those sharing is Basel Agbaria from Jaffa, Israel, who Mukadam describes is from Palestine.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-05-21-celebrating-ramadan-by-sending-boeka-plates-around-the-world/

image006 (87) — **Sea’ing Is Believing.** Famous for its association with the biblical stories of Jonah and the whale and King Solomon, Israel’s ancient port city of Jaffa with neighbouring Tel Aviv in the background (left).

A Lay of the Land contributor, Stephen Schulman replies in an open letter to The Daily Maverick and its writer:

Dear Ayesha Mukadam,

I read your article about your site in The Daily Maverick, the online publication bringing news and views from South Africa, on “boeka” a Cape Muslim Afrikaans word for iftar – breaking one’s fast at sunset during Ramadan. In it, you declared your purported aim of using food in the Muslim month of Ramadan as a means of connecting and bringing people of all faiths together – a most laudable initiative in these turbulent and troubled times.

Mention of the Cape brought back many memories. Growing up in the 50’s on the Lower Main Road in the suburb of Claremont, Cape Town where my parents once had a shop. We lived in amity and mutual respect with our many Muslim customers and neighbours. Whilst we did not partake of “Iftar”, we were well aware of the Muslim faith, its beliefs, practices and customs. Cape Town had its own particular cuisine and I can still taste those marvelous samoosas that have no equal anywhere in the world!

image001 - 2020-06-01T132549.379 — **Taste Of Tradition.** Celebrating Ramadam by ‘sending’ beoka plates around the world.

Tolerance of all faiths was the accepted and unspoken norm – an absolute sine qua non. In my student days, I worked part time at a Claremont dry cleaner with its large Muslim staff many of whom I remember well. There was friendship, harmony and cooperation for we could not see it otherwise!

I note that in your article, you referred to the city of Jaffa as being in Palestine. Your correspondent Basel Agbaria resides in Israel (NOT Palestine) in Jaffa, an historic town close to Tel Aviv that is located next to the sea and has a mixed population of Muslims, Christians and Jews who peacefully co-exist and where iftar is practiced openly and freely.

image002 - 2020-06-01T132859.355 — Nasreen Khan shares this boeka meal from Seychelles with her siblings and parents in Ladysmith. (Photo: Nasreen Khan / @msnasreen)

You have intentionally omitted the word Israel and supplanted it with Palestine. There is indeed a Palestinian Authority on the West Bank but it spews out antisemitic hatred and bankrolls terrorists. Bethlehem that once had a thriving Christian majority and mayor, after relinquishment of Israeli control to the Palestinians, has seen its residents emigrate in droves, leaving a rapidly shrinking Christian minority – presently only one eighth of the population. Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with its avowedly Jewish genocidal aims also persecutes Christians, many of whom fear for their lives.

No ‘boeka’ there, I’m afraid!

How unfortunate and tragic that in the Middle East, tolerance has been long swiftly defenestrated and replaced with hatred and persecution. Those days in Walmer Estate, so fondly recalled by Nadia Kamies where all faiths lived side-by-side and come Ramadan, Muslims would share Boeka with their Christian neighbours, here, in the countries bordering Israel (NOT Palestine), are sadly extinct. In Syria, in the ongoing civil war, more than half a million of its citizens – have been slaughtered by their co-religionists. In Iraq, the Sunnis and Shiites share a mutual hatred while the Christians are caught in the middle. Jewish communities in the Middle East that existed long before the advent of Islam, are long gone. Most of these inhabitants were disenfranchised, expelled or having fled for their lives.

I live in Israel (NOT Palestine), a country of 9,000,000 citizens, a state that is a member of the United Nations and whose blue and white flag, amongst all the other nations, proudly flutters at their New York headquarters, a state whose name appears on any reputable atlas, a sovereign state recognized by the community of enlightened nations. It is also the sole democracy in the Middle East, where Jews, Muslims and other faiths live and work side by side. Israel is an oasis where the freedom of worship is guaranteed by law. A national radio broadcasts for its Muslim listeners, official times of beginning and ending the daily Ramadan fast.

Your blatant disrespect for my country and denial of Israel’s existence and its centrality to our faith is an insult to the Jewish people and their religion and makes a mockery of your so-called respect for all faiths.

How sad that your professed aim of bringing people together is marred by bigotry and bias and how hollow your words of creating “community and solidarity… among people of different religions and nationalities” sound.

image003 - 2020-06-01T133316.404 — Stuart Coffey shares this Thai pineapple fried rice with a friend in San Diego, US. (Photo: Stuart Coffey / @stucoffey)

I suggest that next time you cook up your site that “is centered around the universal value of sharing food to connect and unite”, that you dispense with the ingredients of hatred and denial and liberally spice it with tolerance and a genuine acceptance of the rights of others and other nations to exist. If so done, dear Ayesha, it would be truly palatable for us all.

With best wishes,

Stephen Schulman,

Israel

About the writer:

Stephen Schulman is a graduate of the Jewish socialist Youth Movement Habonim, who immigrated to Israel in 1969 and retired in 2012 after over 40 years of English teaching. He was for many years a senior examiner for the English matriculation and co-authored two English textbooks for the upper grades in high school. Now happily retired, he spends his time between his family, his hobbies and reading to try to catch up on his ignorance.

*Title Picture: The Jaffa clock tower dominates Clock Square, a landmark at the entrance to the Jaffa section of Tel Aviv. Photo by JekLi/Shutterstock.com

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The City of Jaffa is in The State of Israel!

Open letter by Stephen Schulman

*Title Picture: The Jaffa clock tower dominates Clock Square, a landmark at the entrance to the Jaffa section of Tel Aviv. Photo by JekLi/Shutterstock.com

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Open letter by Stephen Schulman

*Title Picture: The Jaffa clock tower dominates Clock Square, a landmark at the entrance to the Jaffa section of Tel Aviv. Photo by JekLi/Shutterstock.com

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