Tag Archive for Christian

| June 24, 2016
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Photo Essay: Having Completed IDF Course, Muslims swear allegiance to Israel

 

Consisting largely of Muslim Bedouins, along with Christians and Muslim Arabs, who all volunteered for IDF service, the March 2016 induction of Desert Reconnaissance Battalion soldiers were sworn in on Thursday, having completed their rigorous basic training.

By Yoav Zitun

 

The swearing-in ceremony for the March 2016 cycle of Desert Reconnaissance Battalion soldiers was held on Thursday at the Memorial Monument to the Bedouin Warriors with the majority of the sworn-in soldiers being Muslim. Before their commanders and families, the soldiers, mostly Bedouins with some Muslim and Christian Arabs who volunteered to join the IDF, swore allegiance to the State of Israel and its defense. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| March 24, 2016
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Israel’s Christian Minority Stands Firmly With Israel

 

There is no apartheid, “Israel is the only island of safety that allows [Christians] freedom & democratic rights,” insisted Khalloul, pointing out that under the Palestinian Authority, Christians do not enjoy anywhere close to the rights & quality of life enjoyed by Israeli Christians.

Israel Today Staff

 

As a leading representative of the Holy Land’s reborn Aramaic Christian community, Shadi Khalloul this week penned for the Gatestone Institute a summary of where Israel’s Christian minority stands today.

(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.

(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.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| December 11, 2015
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Greek Orthodox Priest to European Parliament: EU Boycotts Israel, Christians’ Safe Haven

 

Father Gabriel Naddaf, a spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem informs European Parliamentarians, ‘In the Middle East there is only one country, just one where Christians can live in security – and that’s Israel’

By David Lazarus

 

The speaker was Gabriel Naddaf, a spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and spiritual leader of the Nazareth-based movement encouraging young Arabic-speaking Christians to join the Israel Defense Forces.

PM Netanyahu meets Gabriel Nadaf, Aug. 2013 – Reuters

Naddaf was standing before the European Parliament for an emergency session on the recent limitations being imposed on Israeli produce in European markets. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| June 19, 2015
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Outraged Netanyahu Instructs Shin Bet to Investigate Possible Arson of Historic Church

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that the church torching is a heinous crime & an “attack on us all…Freedom of worship is one of Israel’s cornerstones,” the prime minister said. “Hatred & intolerance have no place in our society.”

By i24news

 

A fire broke out Wednesday night at a major Catholic pilgrimage church on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in what police have determined was arson. Police were investigating whether the arson was a hate crime on the part of extremist Jews.

5th century church set on fire in suspected hate crime, June 2015 – Ynet/Avihu Shapira

A member of the Roman Catholic Benedictine order, which manages the site, said one of the buildings within the compound was completely destroyed in the blaze but the church itself was not damaged. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| January 6, 2015
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Israel’s Loyal Christians Featured in Wall Street Journal Essay

 

 

Mainstream media increasingly noticing trend among Israel’s Christians joining the IDF and wanting to integrate into Israeli society.

By Israel Today Staff

 

As Israel’s former ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, stated on several occasions, Israel has proved to be the one place in the Middle East where Christians can not only live without persecution, but can actually thrive.

Christians Love Israel – Photo: .thepeoplesvoice

It is no secret to the readers of Israel Today that a growing number of Israeli Christians, in particular a large group from Nazareth, are responding by volunteering to serve in the IDF and fully integrating with Israeli society as loyal and productive citizens. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| April 22, 2014
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Arab MK: Israel trying to divide Arabs by drafting Christians into IDF

 

Pro-Palestinian Christian MK protests the new IDF policy, now sending an initial voluntary conscription notice to young Israeli-Christians, since IDF service is still not mandatory.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

MK Basel Ghattas (Balad) told Army Radio on Tuesday that the recent defense establishment decision to start sending preliminary conscription notices to all Christian Arabs of enlistment age was an attempt to divide Israeli Arabs in Israel.

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’s Unit

His comments came after Army Radio reported Tuesday a change in IDF policy which includes sending preliminary conscription orders to all Christian Arabs at the age of 16-and-a-half.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| April 22, 2014
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IDF will Send Voluntarily ‘Draft Notices’ to Stimulate Christian Arab Recruitment

Reaching out to possible Christian recruits, Israel will be sending optional draft notices for IDF induction – a move with a significant political & social potential for better integration into Israeli society.

By Tova Dvorin

 

The push to increase the growing number of Christian Arab IDF recruits advanced Tuesday, after the IDF made a landmark decision to send out “voluntary draft notices” to Christian Arabs of recruitment age.

IDF soldiers – IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

Jewish Israeli teens receive their draft orders at the age of sixteen and a half, and are required by law to report to a local draft office to make arrangements for their IDF or National Service within a set time period after receiving the notice. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| April 19, 2014
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Christians pilgrims meet in Jerusalem for Good Friday

 

Israel’s Christian and pilgrims from around the world meet in Jerusalem to walk the Via Dolorosa

By i24news

 

 

Local Christian Arabs and pilgrims from around the world made their way down the cobbled Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem Friday, where Jesus is believed to have walked to his crucifixion.

Christian worshipers mark good Friday in Jerusalem ( AFP )

Christian worshipers mark good Friday in Jerusalem – Photo: AFP

Thousands of worshipers, some bearing wooden crosses, walked through the walled Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site where they believe Jesus was crucified and buried before rising from the dead three days later.

The city was also busy on Friday with Jewish worshipers celebrating the week-long festival of Passover, which commemorates the Exodus of the biblical Israelites from captivity in Egypt.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| March 24, 2014
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Israeli Arabic-speaking Christians to EU: Israel is Our Safe Haven

 

Israeli Christians demand that the world’s gov’ts stop wasting time demonizing Israel out of political agendas, and start focusing on the real problems by lifting “a finger against the ethnic cleansing of Christians in the Middle East.”

By Ryan Jones

 

Some 150 Israeli Arabic-speaking Christians on Sunday demonstrated outside the European Union mission in Tel Aviv, demanding that the international community stop nitpicking against Israel and start combating the severe persecution of Christians everywhere else in the Middle East.

Christians to EU: Israel is Our Safe Haven

Young, proud Arabic-speaking Israeli Christians demonstrate in Tel Aviv – Photo source: Israel Today

“Nations, organizations and international missions are quick to raise an accusing finger against Israel at every opportunity,” said Father Gabriel Nadaf, spiritual father of the Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum, which organized the rally. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| March 11, 2014
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Israeli Christians choose to embrace Israel

 

There are Arabic-speaking Christians who choose to embrace Israel, rather than fight against it with the Muslims. Many Christians across the region have been migrating or converting to Islam by force.

By Shadi Khalloul

 

The Christ at the Checkpoint conference now taking place in Bethlehem bills itself as an “authentic” voice of local Christians. That may be, but it is by no means the exclusive voice of local Christians. The following is a response to Christ at the Checkpoint conference.

Israeli Christian Shadi Khalloul - Photo source: Israel Today

Israeli Christian Shadi Khalloul – Photo source: Israel Today

A growing number of Israeli Christians have been speaking out with a new voice and calling for integration into Israeli Jewish society. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| February 27, 2014
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Knesset: law past distinguishes between Christians and Arab Muslims

Nazareth Christian leader speaks about new law distinguishing between Christians and Arab Muslims. Christians Are No Longer to be ‘Arabs’

By Ryan Jones

 

Israel’s Knesset on Monday signed into law a bill that legally distinguishes between local Christians and the bulk of the Arabic-speaking population, which is primarily Muslim.

Christian Priest: Israel a Shining Example of Human Rights

Greek Orthodox priest, Father Gabriel Nadaf, spiritual head of the Israeli Christians Recruitment Forum

The stated goal of the law is to boost Christian employment rights by recognizing them as an independent minority, and thereby granting them separate representation on local councils and employment committees.

Israeli Arab (mostly Muslim) members of Knesset blasted the new law, insisting it would undermine Arab identity in the Holy Land. 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.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| 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 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 »

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