After the November elections and after the twenty-fifth Israeli Parliament (Knesset) was constituted, negotiations are still continuing for the formation of a government led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu together with his far-right and ultra-Orthodox partners, which is expected to be the rightist in the history of the State of Israel.
These days Netanyahu is in talks to form his government coalition, which would include two ultra-Orthodox parties and “Religious Zionist Party”, an alliance of far-right formations, known for their ultranationalist and extremist rhetoric, which generates expectations and concern inside and outside the country.
Faced with this panorama, some analysts look with fear at the institutional future of the country, as Professor Arie Kacowicz, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, commented to the media.
–“I do not rule out the transformation of Israel towards a much more authoritarian regime, in the style of Erdogan’s Turkey, which directly attacks the rule of law”
“So Israel, which historically identified itself as a Jewish and democratic state, would become a much more Jewish state but much less liberal and democratic,” Kacowicz added with concern.
But other analysts are more optimistic and are confident that Netanyahu, the longest-ruling leader in Israel’s history, will try to moderate the more extremist initiatives of his new allies.
The battle for the identity of the state has begun
During the elections, leaders of the far-right “Beitenu” party affirmed their intention to change the Law of Return, and the meaning of this is already causing a stir in Israel and the world for what this would mean for Israel’s future.
“Beytenu” assured that changing the law of return is a fundamental issue and goes to the root of the definition of the Jewish state and that the demand to cancel the clause that allows grandchildren of Jews to make “aliyah” is expected to increase which is worrying in a big way to Diaspora Judaism whose leaders have already addressed President Yitzhak Herzog and Netanyahu expressing their fears of their intentions to change the law although it is not certain that there will be someone in the next government who will listen to them.
The Law of Return was promulgated in 1950 and the first Knesset voted for its approval. However, it was in 1970, after petitions to the High Court, that the law was adapted to the changes in the ruling and it was determined that the grandchildren of Jews -and the spouses of those grandchildren – would obtain Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return and the Citizenship Law, thus following the criteria used by the Nazis in the Nuremberg Laws, (in which the grandchildren of Jews were not considered pure Germans and suffered persecution), a historic response to the extermination of the Jewish people.
The fundamental reason for the far-right desire to amend the immigration laws lies in the definition of “Jew” according to the highest Jewish authorities, only those born to a Jewish mother or those who underwent a conversion, thus leaving third-generation Jews out of the list.
However, this action would be a severe blow to immigration in Israel since according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office, among immigrants to Israel during the year 2020, only 28% are Jews (children of Jewish mothers) and The remainder, 72%, immigrated to Israel as descendants of Jews and are not Jews by definition of the Jewish law.
Religious Persecution
Likewise, this new coalition of ultra-orthodox and radical parties could exert even more pressure by promoting the persecution of Messianic Jews, who have seen in recent years a significant increase in hostilities, threats and attempts to close buildings and meeting centers, reminding us of the prophetic panorama. described in the Bible about the last times before the coming of Yeshua, as He himself warned us:
“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John15:20
As followers of the Messiah we are not surprised when we are persecuted and suffer for it. Since we know that loving the Lord by living a holy life and speaking the truth will result in suffering, as it is written
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12
In our ministry we understand that we live in the end times, and the Bible clearly tells us that the persecution will continue and then it will turn into a great persecution the closer we get to the coming of Christ and so we stay ready and alert, focusing in Him is the only way to be able to move forward and be full of joy and without fear of serving him.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven”
Matthew 5:12
The persecution that we have experienced in recent years has been multiplying, beyond threats, protests and complaint filings, reaching a decisive point where our building and distribution center (and home of our congregation) in which we have invested so many resources, effort and dedication is on the verge of being closed, leaving so many families without support or hope.
Despite all that our ministry represents and the help it provides to the community, we receive discriminatory treatment from the authorities who, harshly influenced and pressured by the radical religious sector of the city, try in every possible way to close our distribution center.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION WE’RE FACING
Our role as the body of the Messiah is to bring hope to this lost world and illuminate in times of darkness creating an impact on society, so our ministry is committed to reaching as many people as possible who suffer, and many of them depend on our commitment and dedication for the work of the Lord.
You can be part of and impact the lives of more people who need help in our city and together show them the way, the truth, and the life.
We invite you to be part of our ministry so that together we can bring hope to our border town of Sderot.
Our work would not be possible without the help of partners like you, so we ask you to consider in prayer the possibility of a monthly commitment that will allow us to continue with the Lord’s work here in Israel.
Sincerely yours
Pastors
Michael & Dina Beener
and CLM Israel Team
“City of Life”
Messianic congregation and Outreach Center
Sderot, Israel.
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