Ultra-Orthodox Jews attack Christian tourists in Jerusalem

Haaretz ^ | Jonathan Lis

[Michael81Dus]

A group of 50 pro-Israel Christian tourists came under attack Wednesday from some 100 residents of the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea She'arim in Jerusalem. Three of the tourists and a police officer were wounded in the attack. They received treatment at the scene. The tourists arrived at Mea She'arim wearing orange T-shirts with the words "Love your neighbor as yourself" printed across them. As they neared one of the squares, the local residents apparently identified them as Christians and began to hit them. Police forces in the area stepped in to stop the violence, but did not make any arrests. Police say they are waiting for the tourists to file official complaints.

[MeanWestTexan]

The beard would not be one of the 7 laws.

:)

[Sic Luceat Lux]

and stop making a fool of yourself

That's nice/and "it's not like I'm going to attack you." / huh

[ichabod1]

The statement was "It's Christians gig to proselytize", not evangelize. I think most people assume "proselytize" means going up to people who don't want to hear it and saying things like "Did you know you're going to hell if you don't Come To Jesus?"

Evangelizing is a much broader term with more of an "attraction rather than promotion" connotation.

[Bella_Bru]

Here is a link to the battalion for Haredim: Nahal Haredi

[MeanWestTexan]

You're not crazy.

I could have sworn there was some sort of anti-street preaching rule in Israel.

Maybe it's a city ordinance or something to prevent distirbing the peace.

[Sic Luceat Lux]

p.s. that was a joke.

Have been skipping from thread to thread/lots of news to cover today. Thanks for that post.

[rogue yam]

Your statement is an outright lie. Do not judge all Israelis based on the actions of a few zealots who like to pretend its still the 17th century.

So the Israel National Radio host quoted above (reply #18) is one of "a few zealots who like to pretend its still the 17th century"? Hmmmm... maybe I am a "liar".

[durasell]

This is a non-story. A scuffle.

[Sabramerican]

There is no actual limitation of religious freedom what so ever.

The limitation, if that is what you want to call it, on proselytizing, is a limitation on interfering with what others consider their religious freedom to not hear what is for them heresy.

If anyone "suffers" from any religious coercion in Israel, it is only non believing Jews who must conform to some Laws such as keeping their stores closed on the Sabbath- blue law type laws.

[Nachum]

Two vendors were outside of the first AME church in Los Angeles on Easter Sunday. One vendor was selling Christian artifacts and was doing a brisk business. The second vendor was a Hassidic Jew and had a table full of Jewish items including books on debating missionaries. The books of how to argue with Christian missionaries were highlighted on his table so that each and every church goer would see it as they entered or left the church. He was not only not doing any business, but when a church patron would walk by the table and see the display, they would turn their noses up and walk over to the Christian table and buy something.

A kindly pastor of the church walks over to the Hassidic Jew and says;

Sir, perhaps you might do better if you sold your wares in a Jewish neighborhood...

The Hassidic Jew looked immediately to the other table and shouted;

See that Yankel?! He's trying to tell us how to do business!!!

[ichabod1]

Hmmmm... maybe I am a "liar".

I yam what I yam what I yam.... I'm Popeye the Sailor Man.

[JTHomes]

I don't like any of these overly religious idiots. If you believe your god is the right one, he'll take care of the 'unbelievers' in the afterlife. And if you are insecure about your God, get over it.

[Alouette]

Mea She'arim has a modesty code for men and women that is clearly posted at the entrance.

My daughter got yelled at there because she was wearing a tight-fitting shirt and "hip hugger" skirt that showed her belly button.

But I yell at her about that when she is at home, too. But her excuse is, "but you never give me money for new clothes"

[Sic Luceat Lux]

Well, then what you're saying is not 'factual' - it's hearsay. But thanks for the post.

[ichabod1]

OK, Thanks. Got it. Like I say, that kind of crap kept me away from the Church and God for a long time. It's worse when there's the historical element of the forced conversions, etc.

[Sic Luceat Lux]

You know he's not going to be able to back that up.

Exactly.

[Bella_Bru]

Shirts, for men and women, must cover the elbows in Mea She'arim.

[Sabramerican]

Go to the major pedestrian mall in Jerusalem, Ben Yehuda Street,and you will occasionally see street preaching Christians.

Usually regarded with curiosity and quick boredom A few may hear heckling.

[Radix]

"Anti-Christian bigotry is rife in Israel but we're not supposed to talk about it on FR."

I never heard of that rule.

Other than the majority of citizens (I swear I heard or read this somewhere but can't prove it) are atheistic in nature. Israel is supposedly a Semi-Theocracy, or something.

There are certainly a lot of contradictions over there, but tour guides or directors ought to be a little more intelligent than to be steering folks into places where they know others are not welcome.

I make a lot of assumptions here.

"Oh honey, look at the old fashioned Orthodox Jews. lets go tell them about what things are really like."

I can picture stuff like that happening.