Tag Archive for Arab Christians

| January 22, 2014
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Nazareth Billboard Warns Local Christians Against ‘Slandering’ Allah

 

Now that Christians in Nazareth have taken a bolder stand for their faith & support of the Jewish State, local Muslims flex muscles by seeking to impose ‘superiority’ of their god.

By Israel Today Staff

 

As Christians of every stripe in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth begin to again take a real stand for their faith, local Muslims are warning them not to overstep the boundaries of their traditional place in the Middle East (hint: they must remain dhimmis, or second-class).

Nazareth Christians Warned Against 'Slandering' Allah

Warning Billboard in Nazareth – Photo: Brian Schrauger (Facebook page)

A large billboard hanging at a central point in Nazareth features a picture of an Israeli stop sign, along with the English translation of a verse from the Koran cautioning Christians (and Jews) to speak only the “truth” regarding Allah. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| December 29, 2013
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Israel’s Christian community divided on IDF enlistment campaign

 

Pre-Christmas military ceremony honoring contribution of Christian volunteers into the IDF highlights Jerusalem’s new push to recruit its minorities.

Arab enlistment opponents use intimidation & scare tactics against those who sign up.

Christian soldier: ‘We are held hostages’ of Muslim Arab community

By The Associated Press

Dozens of Israeli soldiers respectfully rose from their seats as the Israeli national anthem began playing. The recording of “Hatikva,” an ode to the Jewish yearning for the Land of Israel, wrapped up a ceremony, held in Hebrew, during which speakers thanked the troops and handed out awards.

Elinor Joseph, was born 1991 into a Christian family from the Arab village of Jish, is the first Arab woman ever to serve in a combat role in the I.D.F.

Elinor Joseph, was born 1991 into a Christian family from the Arab village of Jish, is the first Arab woman ever to serve in a combat role in the I.D.F.

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| December 26, 2013
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Greek Orthodox Priest: Israel is Shining Example of Human Rights

 

Arabic-speaking Christian Israelis say it’s wrong to demonize the Jewish state as being heartless toward its minorities.

By  Ryan Jones

 

 

The Israeli Zionist organization Im Tirtzu last week hosted the “Zionist Conference for Human Rights” in Tel Aviv. Among the invited speakers was Father Gabriel Nadaf, spiritual head of the Israeli Christians Recruitment Forum, a body that encourages young Arabic-speaking Israelis (they prefer to not be labeled as “Arabs”) to join the Israeli army and fully integrate with Israeli Jewish society.

In his address to the conference, Father Nadaf noted that “there are many regimes (in the region) that do not care about equal rights, they only care about catering to an elite that terrorizes the rest of the population, while brushing off the issue of human rights and dehumanizing others.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| December 25, 2013
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Number of Christian conscripts rose in 2013 for the IDF

84 Israeli Christians have volunteered for the IDF since June, representing a noticeable spike in the recruitment rate, which normally average about 50 new annual recruits in past years.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
 

The IDF has observed a rise in the number of Christian-Arab Israelis enlisting in the IDF this year.

Elinor Joseph, was born 1991 into a Christian family from the Arab village of Jish, is the first Arab woman ever to serve in a combat role in the I.D.F.

Elinor Joseph, was born 1991 into a Christian family from the Arab village of Jish, is the first Arab woman ever to serve in a combat role in the I.D.F. – Photo: IDF Spokesperson Unit

Since June, 84 Christians have volunteered the military, representing a spike in the recruitment rate, which has averaged 50 new annual recruits in past years. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| December 25, 2013
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Palestinian Christian Blames Muslims, Not Israel, for Ever Decreasing Numbers

 

Local Palestinian Christian researcher from Bethlehem says encroaching Muslim discrimination & intimidation is pushing Christians out of the region.

By Israel Today Staff

 

A Christian community leader and researcher from the Bethlehem suburb of Beit Sahour provided journalists with a very candid explanation for the exodus of Christians from the birthplace of Jesus: encroaching Muslim extremism.

Bethlehem Christian Blames Islam, Not Israel, for Dwindling Numbers

Bethlehem Christian Blames Islam, Not Israel, for Dwindling Numbers – Photo source: Israel Today

While most public figures among the Palestinian Arab Christian community will without blinking an eye blame Israel for all their woes, Samir Qumsieh, who operates a small local TV station, says these Christian leaders are “cowards” who are either deceived or compelled into toeing the line of the official Palestinian narrative. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| December 7, 2013
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Son of Greek Orthodox priest who supports Israel & the IDF was attacked in Nazareth

 

No motive for attack on son has yet to be determined, but Father Nadaf has received his own death threats in the past.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

A 21-year-old Nazareth man is suspected in the attack of the son of a Greek Orthodox priest who supports enlistment of Christian youth in the IDF.
PM Binyamin Netanyahu meets Father Gabriel Nadaf, August 5, 2013. - Photo: Moshe Milner/GPO

PM Binyamin Netanyahu meets Father Gabriel Nadaf, August 5, 2013. – Photo: Moshe Milner/GPO

The attack occurred in Nazareth last night where the priest’s 17 year-old son was allegedly attacked by the suspect with a rod, according to Channel Two.

The youth suffered bruising to much of his body and was sent to the English Hospital in the city. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| October 8, 2013
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Israeli Newspaper: Must Protect local Christian ‘Arabs’ With Our Lives

 

Israeli media is slowly but increasingly taking notice of a growing group of local Christians distancing themselves as ‘Arabs’, & identifying with the Jewish state.

By Israel Today Staff

 

 

Israel’s largest daily circulation newspaper, Israel Hayom, carried in its weekend edition a moving story regarding the growing group of “Arab” Christians from northern Israel who are increasingly identifying with the Jewish state.

Jubrail (Gabriel) Nadaf a 39-year-old Arab Christian priest – Photo: Michel Dot Com

Jubrail (Gabriel) Nadaf a 39-year-old Greek Orthodox priest                         – Photo: Michel Dot Com

The newspaper was covering a conference where Greek Orthodox priest Father Gabriel Nadaf reiterated his position that “Jews and Christians are of the same covenant.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| August 13, 2013
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New pro-Israel Arab party declares EU boycott to be counterproductive

 

 

“Releasing murderers is not going to bring peace,” exclaimed Bishara Shlayan, an Israeli Christian Arab from Nazareth. He said he is against the release, and that only after a final peace deal should prisoners be released.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON
 

 

Bishara Shlayan, an Israeli Christian Arab from Nazareth who is creating a new Arab political party, said that the EU boycott of Israeli businesses and institutions operating in the West Bank is counterproductive, since it mainly harms Arabs living there.
Bishara Shlayan

Bishara Shlayan – Photo: Courtesy

“The boycott is a big mistake – it is the livelihood for many, mainly Arabs in the West Bank,” Shlayan told The Jerusalem Post, adding that the absence of Israeli businesses will create more violence, as more Arabs will be left with no way to put food on their tables.
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Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| August 6, 2013
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Christian Priest: ‘We Want to Defend Israel’

 

In a meeting with Netanyahu, Father Gabriel reaffirms his commitment to Christian Arab integration into Israeli society.

Arab Muslim MKs have condemned Father Gabriel, calling him “an agent of Zionism who seeks to divide Arabs.”

By David Lev

 

 

In the face of severe opposition – some would say persecution – by the leaders of his church, Father Gabriel Nadaf, a Greek Orthodox priest from Nazareth and spiritual leader of a forum for the enlistment of Christian youth in the IDF, continues to advocate for a strong connection among Arab Christians with the State of Israel.

PM Netanyahu meets Gabriel Nadaf, Aug.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| July 14, 2013
Comments Off on Father Gabriel Nadaf: We’re Christians….Not Christian Arabs

Father Gabriel Nadaf: We’re Christians….Not Christian Arabs

 

Israeli Christians should not be classified as Arabs, since the historical ethnic background of Christians in Israel is a mix of Jewish, Greek, Roman, Assyrian & other such peoples all of whom were here long before the Arab Muslims showed up.

By Ryan Jones

Father Gabriel Nadaf, a Greek Orthodox priest from the area of Nazareth, continues to make headlines in the Israeli press for advocating a new alliance between local Jews and Christians in service to the State of Israel.

In an interview with Israeli website News1, Nadaf said that Christians are tired of living as dhimmis (second-class citizens) in the Muslim world, and are starting to understand that the Jewish state is their ticket out of that situation. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| July 10, 2013
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New Christian Arab party recognizes Israel as the home of the Jewish people

“The New Alliance” supports national service, entering the IDF & recognizes Israel as the home of the Jewish people.

“We are completely Israeli, and then comes religion,” says party founder Bashara Shlayan of Nazareth.

By Dror Eydar

 

The events in the Middle East have unleashed deep sociological and ideological processes, of which we are only seeing the beginning. It is not only political Islam in the eye of the media storm. Throughout the various Arab countries in the region, the bruised and battered Christian community is raising its voice. Israel appears to be the only country in the region whose Christian community does not have a negative emigration ratio as its members flee West in pursuit of a more promising life.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| July 9, 2013
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Israeli Arab Priest: Our future is with Israel

Prior to being silenced by his Church’s hierarchy, Nazareth clergyman informs Israelis that many Arab Christians seek a closer relationship with the Jewish State.

By Ryan Jones

 

Father Gabriel Nadaf, an Arab Christian priest from the area of Nazareth, told Israeli media a week ago that the future of Arab Christians is in becoming one with the Jewish state.

Jubrail (Gabriel) Nadaf a 39-year-old Arab Christian priest – Photo: Michel Dot Com(

Israel Today has several times in recent months reported on the activities of Father Nadaf and a growing movement in Nazareth to encourage young Arab Christians to join the Israeli army and fully integrate into Israeli society. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| July 3, 2013
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Christian Arabs say Israel only country worth fighting for

So, what has Israel’s Muslim Arab Knesset members so upset?

Growing number of Christian Arab youth are joining the Israeli army, openly identifying with the Jewish state.

By Ryan Jones

 

Arab Christian residents of Nazareth who proudly serve in the Israeli army and encourage their children to do the same are coming under increasing attack, and Israel is starting to take notice and come to their aid.

Elinor Joseph, was born 1991 into a Christian family from the Arab village of Jish, is the first Arab woman ever to serve in a combat role in the I.D.F.

Elinor Joseph, was born 1991 into a Christian family from the Arab village of Jish, is the first Arab woman ever to serve in a combat role in the I.D.F. – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson Office.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| July 3, 2013
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Muslim Arab MKs to be questioned on suspicion of incitement against Christian Arabs

 

Attorney general gave police ‘OK’ to open investigation based on claims that Arab MKs incited against the Reverend Jubrail Nadaf who supports & encourages Christian teens to enlist in the IDF or National Service.

By Moran Azulay

Arab Knesset members will be questioned on suspicion of incitement against a religious leader who encouraged Christian teens to enlist in the army, Ynet learned Wednesday.

Jubrail Nadaf a 39-year-old Arab Christian priest – Photo: Michel Dot Com

Speaking at a Knesset committee meeting, a police representative revealed that Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein has given police a green light to question MKs on suspicion of inciting against Reverend Jubrail Nadaf. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| June 29, 2013
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Arab Christians seek partnership demanding equal rights & equal duties

 

Arab Priest Gavriel (Jubrail) Nadaf is being persecuted by the Arab-Israeli political establishment for advocating an equal sharing of the burden amongst his Christian flock: “We want to connect with Jewish society in Israel,” he said. “We feel secure in Israel.”

By Daniel Siryoti

 

“We want young Christians to become totally integrated into Israeli society, which also entails shouldering their fair share of the burden of national service. Our future as a Christian minority is intertwined with that of the State of Israel. We want to give more to society and to contribute our share just like others do,” says Gavriel Nadaf, a 39-year-old Arab Christian priest who is being persecuted by the Arab Israeli establishment.

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