In response to the hundreds of protesters last week in Rishon LeZion, the people have spoken. There is a huge backlash happening now in heated disagreement over the actions of the Ultra-Orthodox in this city.
In a recent article from the local paper Shikma, June 22, 2016, we can learn a lot about Israel and the people’s voice. Rishon LeZion is a blue collar city and last year the Israeli newspaper, Yediot Achronot, reported that is now larger than Haifa as the third largest city in Israel. The tug of war between the secular and religious is happening in many towns and cities in Israel. When we say “religious” we mean “Orthodox” or “Ultra-Orthodox” (Haredim).
Last week was an event of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the center of Rishon LeZion where religious orthodox came to protest against it in the many of hundreds.
The law is clear, the Jehovah’s Witnesses had the right to stage their event. In the past, the city has been sued and the city lost, forcing thousands of shekels to be paid as they lost the law suits. It seems the city has learned a lesson now as some religious were even arrested and detained during the protest.
The citizens now in the aftermath are extremely vocal and angry about the Haredim in the city, most of the protesters were not even from the city of Rishon LeZion it was learned.
“We don’t have Haredim and we don’t need them” is the outcry voiced this following week after the event according the article, “Fear for secularism (survival) in Rishon”. This is the people’s voice.
On a day when the UK has voted to exit the European Union, it would be wise if our leaders heard the people’s voice now too. It seems no one expected this decision of the vote and voice of the English people. Politicians just bulldozed ahead for years with no regard to the people’s voice. In the same way Rishonim (the people of the city) cry, “we have a long history of preserving the city as a secular city. We have no Haredim or extremists, they have produced hate for no reason” and “We don’t need (want) them here”.
Rishonim are very angry about the bullying that took place, as they call it, and the blocking of main roads on the Sabbath the entire morning. Many residents driving by the protest voiced fear of the religious, seeing them, fearing that they would stone them. The people are mad and they should be mad, very mad.
There is freedom of religion in Israel and this is a nice display in Rishon LeZion of adherence to the law and the outcome. For too long have we tolerated religious bullying. We can learn from this.
We, as Messianic believers, too can step up our efforts, the law is on our side and so is the Lord. Yeshua was persecuted and so we will be too. The law states no partiality is allowed in religion.
What does the religious community have to say? “This was a stream of Messianic Christianity”. Someone needs to set the facts straight. That’s what leaders do, and followers. We as Messianics are not Jehovah’s Witnesses. We believe Yeshua is the Son of God, God who came in the flesh; they do not. That separates the goats from sheep in a simple distinction of separation. This is an extremely important fact.
It does seem Israel doesn’t know the difference between us and them as I have personally talked to hundreds of Israelis, if not thousands, during my days as an evangelist. If we are not going to be a voice for our people they will never know the difference. We will end up being lumped together with Catholics, the group above and with all other churches and groups, some of which don’t even proclaim Yeshua as Messiah.
Today let us make the distinction with actions, let your voice and faith be known. The law is on your side. Rishon LeZion just proved that this week.
English citizens made history with their actions in voting to leave the EU. It was a surprise, a “sonic boom” as one commentator said on Fox News. No one expected it, especially the leaders. Let’s be that loud voice for our faith too. Things cannot and should not remain the same here. Believers must be heard and recognized in order to have any influence in the land. Influence that is other than being the vital movers and shakers in the spiritual realm.
Read a related news story about Petach Tikva, a neighboring city to Rishon LeZion: Panic in Petach Tikva: Ultra-Orthodox Oppose Messianic Presence in Major Israeli City