By RYAN JONES, ISRAEL TODAY—
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.
For a number of years now, a group of Nazareth Christians who are officers in the Israeli army have been actively recruiting young local Arabs to follow in their footsteps and serve the Jewish state.
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Though not an officer himself, one of the main figures in this movement is Greek Orthodox cleric Father Gabriel Nadaf. Late last month, the Greek Orthodox patriarch in Jerusalem, acting on demands from Muslim Arab members of Israel’s Knesset, threated to fire Nadaf.
Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Interior Minister Gideon Saar immediately called the priest to convey their support and offer their assistance.
On Wednesday, Israel’s Attorney General’s Office announced that it had opened an investigation into the activities of the Muslim Knesset members who pushed for Nadaf’s dismissal.
“It’s unacceptable that Arab MKs should think that they can be Trojan horses in the Knesset and send letters of incitement against a Christian priest who encourages young Christians to enlist in the IDF,” said Likud MK Miri Regev during a Knesset Interior Committee hearing on the matter.
Many Arab politicians vehemently oppose Arab participation in Israeli national service for fear it will legitimize the existence of the Jewish state (which pays their paychecks).
Meanwhile, the pro-Israel Arab Christians of Nazareth are becoming increasingly bold in their stance, and even dared to hold a public gathering late last month to toast the achievements of their new forum whose goal is convincing more young Arabs to join the army, as reported by Israel’s Ma’ariv newspaper.
“We chose to hold the conference to demonstrate that nothing will deter us,” forum spokesman Moran Khaloul told the newspaper. “We don’t live in Syria, where Christians are not allowed to speak…or in Iraq, where churches are bombed. We live in a Jewish state, which is democratic and free. As Israeli Christians we see ourselves as part of this state and not as part of those who oppose it.”
Khaloul said that until now, many in the community had been too afraid to speak out, but that was going to change. Many are now even referring to themselves openly as “Israeli Christians.”
Ali, an organizer for the forum, noted that local Arabs see what is happening across the Middle East and realize that Israel is the only place in the region where Christians can feel safe and belong. “That’s why more and more of us are realizing that there is no other country here that is worth fighting for,” he added.
Some went even deeper in their reasoning for joining the army of the Jewish state.
Henry Zahav, a 12th grader who intends to join the IDF gave this moving answer when asked by Ma’ariv why he made that decision: “Ultimately, from a religious point of view, we are one. Jesus was a Jew, his mother was a Jew, and his 12 disciples were Jews.”
Many, many thanks, Ryan Jones for this wonderful article. For sometime now I have known in my heart that there were such Arab Christians as you describe in this article – and I have even been moved to pray for them. I am so happy that they now have courage to speak up. They will be in my continual prayers….may the God of Israel richly, richly bless and keep them. They are not only a blessing to Israel, but to Bible believing Christians everywhere.
We thank God for this courageous priest, Father Gabriel Nadaf for taking this stand. These young Arab Christians are part of the future of Israel and are wise enough to realize that they fare better when they stand with Israel who respects their Christian faith than with the Palestinian Muslim’s who spew continuous hatred toward Israel to the degree that they encourage their children to be part of a cult of death. I am sure they also see the fate of the Arab Christians in Bethlehem & the Gaza strip who have either been driven out of their homes or imprisoned or killed for their faith. God richly bless this Christian priest and these brave young Israeli Arabs.
I’ve know for awhile that there are Arab Christians in Israel because occaisionally RBC Ministries “Day of Discovery” program will have one in their program as a guest. Your report just blows my mind. What a great and wonderful testimony these Arab brothers and sisters in Christ are. We have a great and mighty God and Israel is His Country and the Jews and Christians are His people. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
May the many nations unite under one tribe! The Tribe of Judah! Native America blesses You YAHWEH! The God of Israel, the Holy One of Israel! In Jesus’ Name….amen!
This is wonderful news. May more Christian Arabs stand up to Islamic barbarism.