New Bill Threatens Freedom of Speech Religion

The battle for religious freedom in Israel is heating up again—and the stakes are higher. Israeli believers barely had time to sigh in relief over the apparent demise of one “antimissionary” bill (CT, May 18, 1998, p. 22) before another, far more punitive bill was introduced—this time with the initial support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet.

The current round began in January 1997 when an antimissionary bill was introduced in the Knesset that would have made publishing, possessing, or distributing “missionary materials” a crime, punishable by up to a year in prison. Although similar bills had been introduced in the past by ultra-Orthodox members of the Knesset (MKS), they were generally considered to have little chance of passing. But this bill was different: it was cosponsored by mk Nissim Zvili of the Left-leaning Labor party and sailed through its first Knesset reading with a comfortable bipartisan majority.

Israeli believers breathed a sigh of relief when Zvili withdrew his support for the bill in response to continued protests from around the world. But the celebrations were premature: within three weeks, a new antimissionary bill was introduced by mk Raphael Pinchasi of the Orthodox Shas party. To the dismay of the bill’s opponents, the entire cabinet—including Netanyahu—voted for the bill, which provides for a maximum three-year prison term or $13,800 fine for offenders, in its first reading.

Reaction has been swift, both in Israel and abroad. Chuck Kopp, president of the United Council of Churches in Israel, called Netanyahu’s vote “absolutely contrary to his written commitment to Christian leaders that he would oppose such legislation.” During the controversy over the earlier bill, Netanyahu stressed that it did not have the support of his government, and he would work against any such legislation.

Copyright © 1998 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

China's Changing Church: Eyewitnesses report looser regulation, ongoing repression, and booming revival. What does this mixed picture mean for the future?

Cover Story

China's Dynamic Church

Lutherans, Episcopalians Revive Talks

Brimstone for the Broadminded

Bad Things Still Happen

What the Hands Reveal

Miracle Monument

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from July 13, 1998

Fear and Faith in the Middle East

Church Nearly Closed After Lawsuit

One-Year Mission Changes Lives

Market Gobbles Up Veggie Tales

Comic Relief: Dear John the Evangelist

House Rejects Prayer Amendment

West Bank: Persecution Reports Unfounded

Vote for Peace No Panacea

Riots Traumatize Chinese Christians

Clinton Names Seiple to New Post

Evangelical Released from Prison

First Protestant Church Dedicated

Editorial

Lies We’ve Heard Before

News

News Briefs: July 13, 1998

If Christ Be Not Risen...

The Journalist in the Sedan Chair

LETTERS

Winding Paths Meet—Healing and Faith Find Connection

Patterson's Election Seals Conservative Control

Missiology: Uncovering Christianity's Hidden History

Fraud: Faithful Lose Millions in Ponzi Scheme

Sex Allegations: Megachurch Pastor Quits, Denies Wrongdoing

News

News Briefs: July 13, 1998

Editorial

Discerning the Healing Spirits

China Mission: More than 'Ping-Pong Diplomacy'

Playing the Grace Card

Karla Faye's Final Stop

In the Word: What's Wrong with Spirituality?

Do Demons Have Zip Codes?

Whatever Happened to Middle-Class Hypocrisy?

View issue

Our Latest

What Are Parents For?

Scripture has a clear vision for parents as stewards of our children. It’s not an instruction manual for modern parenting spats.

News

When the Elder Calls—From Outer Space

Two sick church members in their 90s got a pastoral “visit” from a friend—an astronaut stuck on the International Space Station.

Being Human

Trauma, Tenacity, and Trusting God with Beth Moore

The Bible teacher and author reflects on the Lord’s presence throughout her life.

News

Died: Jack Iker, Anglican Who Drew the Line at Women’s Ordination

The Texas bishop fought a bitter legal battle with the Episcopal Church and won.

Why Can’t We Talk to Each Other Anymore?

Online interactions are draining us of energy to have hard conversations in person.

How Priscilla Shirer Surrenders All

The best-selling Bible teacher writes about putting God first in her life and how healthy Christian discipleship requires sacrifice

Church Disappointment Is Multilayered

Jude 3 Project founder Lisa Fields speaks about navigating frustrations with God and fellow believers.

The Robot Will Lie Down With the Gosling

In “The Wild Robot,” hospitality reprograms relationships.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube