Christian, Arabic-Speaking IDF Soldiers, Celebrate Christmas

 

view videoChristian enlistment in the IDF continues to grow, as young Israeli Christians say they willingly & happily serve in Israel’s army to defend the Jewish State.
• WATCH: PM Netanyahu wishes a merry Christmas to Israel’s Christian citizens & to Christians throughout the world.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Amid increasing discrimination – and even violence – against Christian minorities across the Middle East, a small program in Israel is dramatically increasing the number of Arabic-speaking Israeli Christians who join the Israeli military, with the aim of integrating this minority population into mainstream Israeli society.

Christian Arabic-Speaking IDF Soldiers Celebrate Christmas

The Israeli Christians Recruitment Forum, led by Father Gabriel Naddaf of Nazareth, is multiplying the number of Christians enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from just 40 in 2012 to more than 100 in 2014. In March of 2015 alone, 102 Christian Arabs were inducted into the army, through the Forum.

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Minorities in the Jewish State are not drafted into the IDF, although the Arab Druze minority has remained an exception and Druze have faithfully served since Israel’s creation in 1948. Father Naddaf hopes some of Israel’s 165,000 Arab Christians, whom he prefers to call “Israeli Christians,” will follow, identifying and being perceived as patriotic Israelis rather than enemies of the state.

“Calling them ‘Arab-Christian’ puts them on the side of Palestinians and terrorists, when, in reality, they’ve lived in Israel for generations and just want to live in peace and security,” said Naddaf.

Merry Christmas from Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuFrom Jerusalem I wish Israel’s Christian community, and Christians everywhere, a very joyous Christmas and a happy new year.I am proud to say that Israel is one of the few countries in the Middle East, maybe the only country in the Middle East, where Christians are truly free to practice their faith openly, freely, to celebrate Christmas and other Christian holidays. The State of Israel is a beacon of liberty in a Middle East plagued by oppression and extremism.Here everyone can practice their faith, because in Israel, religious freedom is sacred.It is my fervent hope, my fervent prayer, that 2016 is marked by greater security and freedom for all Christians across the Middle East.May the coming year bring the blessings of peace and prosperity for all humanity.So on behalf of the people of Israel, on behalf of the Israeli government, I wish all our Christian friends a very merry Christmas. And I also invite you – come to Israel!Thank you.

Posted by The Prime Minister of Israel on Thursday, December 24, 2015

The Forum, which also provides financial aid to needy Christian families and discharged soldiers, does not receive government support, but last week Father Naddaf was recognized by Israel’s Defense Minister, Moshe Yaalon.

“I believe Israel’s Christian community should integrate more into mainstream Israeli society,” said Naddaf. “Why do the Druze serve? Why do the Bedouin serve? But not the Christians? It’s because they’re scared. This has to change. It’s time to say in a loud and clear voice: enough.”

On Monday, Father Naddaf gathered some of these Israeli Christian soldiers for a Christmas party, delivering treats and thanking them for their service to Israel.

 

To learn more about Father Naddaf and the Israeli Christians Recruitment Forum, please visit its parent organization, The Christian Empowerment Council.

Follow Father Naddaf on Twitter  

 

View original Israel Today publication at:
http://www.israeltoday.co.il/NewsItem/tabid/178/nid/28026/Default.aspx