Posted on 05/12/2016 5:04:23 AM PDT by SJackson
Israel's decision to honor a controversial Greek Orthodox priest at its official Independence Day ceremony is driving a wedge in the country's tiny Christian Arab community as the government recognizes him for his efforts to encourage Christians to enlist in the Israeli military.
Father Gabriel Naddaf's recruitment drive has deeply divided Israel's Christian Arabs, who make up just 2 percent of Israel's population. His inclusion in a ceremony tinged with sadness for many of the country's Arabs, along with new allegations accusing him of sexually harassing young people he helped, has only added to the anger and risks overshadowing what is meant to be a national celebration.
Naddaf has denied the charges, aired on a TV station this week, and the government said there are no plans to remove him from Wednesday night's festivities, where he will be one of 14 torch lighters chosen for their outstanding contributions to the country.
Since 2012, Naddaf has led recruitment drives in Christian communities, preaching about the need to enlist more Christians into Israel's military, which is compulsory for most Jews but voluntary for Arabs. He says it would better integrate them into a society where they often face discrimination.
"I will light the torch with great pride for the glory of the state of Israel and for the good of the Christians in Israel," Naddaf, 43, told The Associated Press on the sidelines of rehearsals for Wednesday's ceremony. He said the timing of the media report signaled "intentions to harm me personally and to also harm the lighting of the torch."
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
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Stupid priests are rising up the ranks of the religiously insane.
This Greek Orthodox priest is asking Christian Arabs in Israel to join the Israeli military. Which of these groups are the religiously insane?
Which of these groups are the religiously insane?.....Don’t know about religiously, but ‘Arab’ is the operative word.
These are Christian Arabs, not Muslim Arabs.
You busted me for hurriedly relying only on the title. Thanks for the enlightenment.
As I posted, ARAB is the operative word.
There are Bedu troops in the IDF. Many are trackers in the Golani and Givati brigades.
Israel isn't driving a wedge -- that wedge was driven by the fake Christian scumbags who support the jihadists and want another Holocaust.
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