Knesset Members Try To Revive Anti-Missionary Bill
The new proposal, led by Rabbi Porush
of the National Religious Party, would mandate a five-year prison sentence to
anyone convicted of trying to persuade an Israeli citizen to change his
religion, whether directly or indirectly. The sentence would be double for
anyone who tried to convert a minor or "needy person," used deceptive
means, or was successful in converting a person to another religion. The law
would apply even if the conversion took place outside of
The Knesset Internal Affairs Committee held a
preliminary hearing on November 10 led by the committee's chairman, David Azoular of the Shas Party. Azoular said that the committee had gathered to find ways
to deal with the "missionary menace threatening our people." The
discussion centered on accusations that a long-established Messianic Jewish
congregation, Grace and Truth, and other groups were using bribes to lure Jews
into their fold. Messianic Jews believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.
A 1977 Israeli law forbids any attempt to persuade
an individual to change his religion for the motive of "financial gain."
Baruch Maoz, the leader of the Grace and Truth
Congregation, attended the committee meeting. He insists that the bribery
charges are unsubstantiated. "It apparently never occurred to those
participating in the discussion that repeated failure to find evidence could
actually mean that bribes were never offered," said Maoz,
former chairman of the Messianic Action Committee, a group that has lobbied
against previous anti-missionary bills.
Proponents of anti-missionary legislation also
complained at the hearing that police have obstructed efforts to restrict
missionary activity in
The Pinchasi Bill won
the votes of then-Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu
and his entire cabinet when it was introduced in May 1998. Porush,
the sponsor of the current proposed bill, believes that it can pass the first
of four votes -- the Preliminary Reading -- even without the support of the Barak government. Porush plans to
solicit individual member votes outside of the religious parties.
Member of Knesset Rabbi Moshe Gafni,
a co-sponsor of other anti-missionary bills, acknowledged at the committee
hearing that the Israeli government had been flooded with letters and faxes
from around the world opposing the previous legislation.
The proposed bill would confer a three-year
sentence on anyone who solicits someone to their faith through advertising. A
one-year sentence would be imposed upon anyone who receives or brings a minor
or a needy person to the event of "another religion." "Another
religion" is one that is not of the religious community to which the
individual belongs according to Israeli law.
Minors or needy persons also would not be allowed
into an educational institution, youth hostel, or club in
(© 1999, www.newsroom.org)
(Post date: November 22, 1999)
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