Tag Archive for Aramean Christians

IDF launches pre-induction program for Christian and Jewish soldiers

In the first of its kind for the IDF, 14 Christian & 14 Jewish 18 yr-olds attend a pre-military preparatory course together to prepare them for serving together.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Many Israeli Jewish teenagers will attend what’s known as a mechina – a preparatory camp prior to entering their compulsory military service.

(Father Gabriel Naddaf with) Lt. (Res.) Shadi Khalloul (seen standing on Netanyahu’s left) has been interviewed by and written for Israel Today on several occasions.

Years ago, such camps were also established for Druze and Bedouin Israelis wishing to volunteer for the IDF (Druze are required to serve, at their request, while Bedouins are not). Continue Reading »

Jesus’ Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Begins Historic Renovation

 

The Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian churches put aside their differences to engage in a $3.3 million project that will reinforce & preserve the Edicule, the ancient chamber housing Jesus’ tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

By the Associated Press & Israel Hayom Staff

 

A team of experts began a historic renovation on Monday at the spot where Christians believe Jesus was buried, overcoming long-standing religious rivalries to carry out the first repairs at the site in more than 200 years.

Christian nuns watch as experts begin renovation of Jesus’ tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, Monday – Photo: AP

The project is focused on reinforcing and preserving the Edicule — the ancient chamber housing Jesus’ tomb in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue Reading »

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. Continue Reading »

Christian Soldiers Proud to Defend Israel

 

Watching the ISIS brutality in Syria brought upon the non-Muslims, the young Israeli Christians say this is why they willingly & happily serve in the IDF to defend the Jewish State.

By Ryan Jones

 

News has been swirling that ISIS is again on the rampage against Christians in Iraq and Syria.

Father Gabriel Naddaf, spiritual leader of the Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum, joins several young Arabic-speaking Aramean Christians as they are inducted into the Israel Defense Forces.

Reports indicate that no fewer than 35 Assyrian Christian villages have been targeted in northeastern Syria in recent weeks. Most of these villages are now empty of inhabitants.

Continue Reading »

Israel’s designation of Christian Arabs to Aramean causing tension between Muslims, Christians

Israel’s Muslim Arabs claim Jerusalem’s recent recognition of Aramean as a nationality, is part of Israel’s ‘divide & conquer’ policy toward Arabs.

By Lily Galili

 

September 16th 2014 was a big day for the Christian community in Israel: The Ministry of the Interior recognized “Aramean” as a nationality. Since then, about 20,000 Israeli Christians of Aramean descent going back to the time of the Bible and early Christianity, are entitled to be registered as having “Aramean” rather than “Arab” nationality. A new nation was born, or rather resurrected.

Nazareth Billboard warning Christian minority – Photo: Julie Eltes

The decision, having obvious political implications, has triggered a chain reaction. Continue Reading »

Israel’s Interior Ministry officially recognizes ‘Aramean’ as nationality

 

Shadi Halul, the Aramean-Christian community leader responds,“It’s a historic decision … proof that Israel protects its citizens & identity of its minorities, unlike all the Arab nations around us,” 

By Yori Yalon

 

Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday approved having “Aramean” as a nationality on Israeli identification cards, a move warmly received by Israel’s Christian-Aramean community.

Aramean-Christian community leader Shadi Halul – Photo: YouTube

In a letter written to Population Authority chairman Amnon Ben-Ami, Sa’ar said that after receiving an appeal on the matter, he heard the recommendations of three experts from three different academic institutions, who said the Supreme Court had found that “the Aramean nationality clearly exists, and has the conditions required to prove its existence, including historical heritage, religion, culture, origin and common language.”

Continue Reading »