CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR - UK ISSUE 5 | DEC-FEB 2017

MAGAZINE

A TRUE FRIEND OF ISRAEL?

O LITTLE TOWN OF THE ROYAL CONNECTION BETHLEHEM TO JERUSALEM Christians living in the Palestinian The extraordinary story of Territories and the battle for truth Princess Alice Introduction Welcome to Christians United for mailed and petitions Israel-UK’s fifth Edition of the TORCH signed CUFI Magazine. I trust you will find time during supporters have this busy period to enjoy our articles and been very active too. even share with visitors. We thank everyone involved. As we look forward to a happy Christmas with family and friends we are very The year 2017 marks several important aware that the enemies of Israel take anniversaries with the Centenary of the advantage of this season of “Peace and Balfour Declaration and 50 years since the Goodwill towards men” to promote reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. These their own distorted agenda. This year, at events will be highly contested by the anti- the same time as Christians celebrate Israel lobby so CUFI has a major role in Christmas, Jews around the world will the year ahead to stand up and speak out be celebrating Hannukah, the festival for Israel. of lights. Please continue to pray for the O LITTLE TOWN peace of Jerusalem and that the Light of We thank you for your continued support our Saviour will continue to shine in the for Christians United for Israel “for such a darkness. time as this”. OF BETHLEHEM During the Autumn, CUFI-UK has been Christians living in the Palestinian Territories and the battle for truth very active with advocacy for Israel with various petitions and campaigns. With Des Starritt over 10,000 emails sent to MPs, postcards Executive Director, CUFI-UK ethlehem – the place known In 1995 the Christian population of throughout the globe as the Bethlehem was 20,000, when Israel gave B birthplace of Jesus is a world apart the PA control of the city. Today there Contents from the “little town” featured in Nativity are approximately 7,500 Christians. In plays taking place across the country this December 2015, Christian Arab Father 3 O Little Town of Bethlehem Christmas. Gabriel Naddaf explained some of the Christians living in the Palestinian Territories reasons for this decline: and the battle for truth The “House of Bread” as it is known in 6 Hebrew, or “City of David” according to “While some contribute the decline to a 6 Donald Trump Luke’s Gospel, provided safe and secure range of factors, others are now openly A true friend of Israel? accommodation for the birth of Jesus. speaking of Muslim intimidation towards Yet the arrival of the Prince of Peace took the Christian community, including land 8 The Royal Connection to Jerusalem The extraordinary story of Princess Alice place in an uncertain and politically divisive theft, discrimination in public sector climate. employment, abuse, and economic 10 CUFI Watch - News in Brief hardships.” 8 Today, Bethlehem remains the focus 14 Israel: The Safest Place for Christians of the Christmas story, however now “While Palestinians being portrayed as in the Middle East controlled by the Palestinian Authority victims, even when they commit acts of (PA), followers of Jesus are decreasing in violence or terrorism, little attention is 16 The Christian Woman who Declared War on Hitler number and anti-Christian persecution is given to the Christian community who has rising. According to Open Doors, 1% of refused to engage in such acts. It seems 18 World’s Oldest Man Celebrated His Bar Mitzvah at 113 the Palestinian Territories population is that terrorism is only rewarded by the 16 Christian, with Islamic extremism being the media, not kindness and forgiveness.” Christians United for Israel UK main source of the decline and Muslim- PO Box 3837, Swindon, SN3 9DS Published by: background converts facing the most Pressure upon the Christian community Tel: 01793 862210 © CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL UK severe persecution. is felt significantly during the time when Web: www.cufi.org.uk All Rights Reserved CUFI.ORG.UK 3 many Christians celebrate Christmas. Let’s On Christmas Day itself, Muslim It portrays Jesus as the first Palestinian And if you think this Palestinian flavour of take celebrations in 2015 as an example: Palestinians hurled stones at the car martyr and first Palestinian refugee. In Christmas would never trickle down to the of Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad other words, just as first century Jews local church in the UK – think again. In the lead-up to Christmas last year, the Twal, as he travelled to Bethlehem. Even “persecuted Jesus”, the Jewish State PA asked the municipality of Bethlehem before this attack, Palestinian Muslims set now “persecutes Palestinians”, the Let’s take the United Reformed Church (UK) not to set off fireworks and limit festive fire to a Christmas tree in the village of purported descendants of Jesus. Despite Christmas worship resource, for example. lights and decorations. Christians were Al-Zababdeh. Further to this, Palestinian how outrageous this teaching might One of its calls to worship has the following apparently discouraged to celebrate while protesters were disguising themselves seem to those that know their Bible, it is verse: “Palestinians were being killed” by in Santa Claus costumes and throwing becoming increasingly popular among – when in fact this was at the height of last stones at Israeli soldiers while reportedly some Christians. Upon hearing about the “Come let’s worship God year’s Palestinian stabbing attacks against shouting “Allahu Akbar”. The Western reported victimisation and suffering of Let’s be filled with awe, wonder and that Israelis. But the real reason, it turned out, media, however, failed to associate these fellow believers in the Palestinian territories, profound grace was due to threats by Islamic extremists actions in any way to Islamic radicalism. many of these Christians are moved to Seen in Jesus, the Palestinian carpenter. to target Christians and their holy sites. Christians across the Middle East are support the Palestinian cause – especially The Holy Child.” Reports say that Palestinian security forces being persecuted to great extremes, those living in the birthplace of Jesus. And arrested 16 men affiliated with Islamic yet when it comes to the Palestinian the anti-Israel movement is taking full Christian charity Amos Trust has published State or other jihadi groups, during the Territories it continues to follow the advantage of these blatant anti-Semitic lies. their astonishing Children’s Christmas festive period. narrative that Israel alone is only to blame Activity Pack for 2016. In their retelling for the predicament of Christians living Last year Palestinian leader, Mahmoud of the Nativity story, it includes replacing there. Abbas, gave this Christmas message with the tree with the “separation wall” (The almost echoes of Yasser Arafat: security barrier used by Israel to protect Blaming Israel is sadly endemic not only itself from terrorists). It tells of the Magi in our media but in many churches in the “We celebrate the birth of Jesus, a who cannot visit the birthplace of Jesus West. In fact there is an entire movement Palestinian messenger of love, justice and because, coming from the East, they are among pro- that peace, which has guided millions from the on the other side of the wall; the shepherds has joined hands with Islam for the moment that his message came out from are prevented by neighbouring settlements, purpose of delegitimising, isolating and a small grotto in Bethlehem over 2000 and Mary and Joseph, who are Jews destroying Israel with a seditious version years ago. His message resonates among coming from the direction of Jerusalem, of Replacement Theology. Also known as all of those who are seeking justice and have to go through the “massive check- Palestinian Liberation Theology, the rise among our people who have been the point” to get to Bethlehem. of this teaching perpetuates the narrative guardians of the holy sites for generations. that Jesus was not a Jew, but a Palestinian Jesus’ message resonates in our prayers for And a glance at one of the downloads and that Israel has no historical or our people in our capital Jerusalem, who available on the popular and otherwise theological right to exist. This absurd continue to resist the Israeli attempts to very good All Age Worship Resources assertion is made despite the fact that turn the city into an exclusive Jewish place.” website incorrectly refers to the region as the Bible identifies Jesus as a Jew, the son “1st century Palestine”. of a Jewish mother, who, as a Jew, lived The theme of the Christmas Eve celebration in Judea and celebrated Jewish festivals in Judea and Samaria, also referred to For Christians, it is important to accurately annually in Jerusalem. The Roman Empire as the West Bank, was “All I Want for portray the Biblical account of the only changed the name of “Judea” to Christmas is Justice”. Mahmoud Al- birth of Jesus and we must be aware “Palestina” one hundred years after Habbash, the Supreme Sharia Judge and of the deceptive narrative that aims to Jesus’s death. Mahmoud Abbas’ Adviser on Religious and delegitimise and demonise Israel. In doing Islamic Affairs joined the festivities: so we have a wonderful opportunity to stand with Israel and the Jewish people. Blaming Israel is sadly “Christmas is also a Palestinian holiday, Meanwhile, let us also pray for persecuted because Jesus, peace be upon him, was Christians living in the Palestinian territories endemic not only in Palestinian. He was born in Palestine; lived and throughout the Middle East, especially our media but in many and was sent [as prophet] to Palestine. during this season of “peace and goodwill Therefore, Christmas has a special to all mankind”. churches in the West. Palestinian flavour.’” 4 CUFI.ORG.UK CUFI.ORG.UK 5 “In Palestinian society, the heroes are those form of stabbings, shootings and suicide who murder Jews,” he said. “Glorifying bombings. Mr Trump wanted to show unity DONALD terrorists is a tremendous barrier to peace.” between the US and Israel as they were both under attack from the same hatred. “There is no moral equivalency. Israel does not name public squares after terrorists. In 2005, Donald Trump was the Grand TRUMP Israel does not pay its children to stab Marshall of the “Salute the Israel Parade” random Palestinians.” in New York. This was at the height of terror attacks on Israelis in the Gaza strip A TRUE He also criticised the current (before Israel disengaged from the area). Administration’s foreign policy in the region, The parade saw tens-of-thousands of pro- FRIEND OF slamming president Obama by saying he Israel Americans parade through the city in “applies pressure to our friends and rewards solidarity with Israel. It is the largest annual ISRAEL? our enemies.” gathering of pro-Israel support in the world. Mr. Trump believes “when the United States In 2013, during Israel’s elections, Donald stands with Israel, the chance of peace rises Trump gave a video endorsement for exponentially”. . This act showed their friendship and support for each other long “When Donald Trump is President of before Mr Trump considered running for He spoke of Iran being the world leader in onald Trump’s victory at the 2016 the United States. We will move the presidency. US Presidential Election has certainly state sponsored terrorism, including funding American embassy to the eternal Palestinian terror, and how Iran had violated Ddivided opinion around the world, capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem. In 2016, after winning the Presidential the nuclear agreement by test-firing ballistic including among Christians and Jews. And we will send a clear signal that Election, one of the first world leaders missiles. Concerned about what the future might there is no daylight between America president-elect Trump called was his good hold in regards to US-Israel relations, we and our most reliable ally, the state of friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Engraved on those rockets,” he said. “In decided to look at some of the things Israel.” Shortly after, Mr Netanyahu released a both Hebrew and Farsi, were the words he has said about Israel and were so public message of congratulations to ‘Israel must be wiped off the face of the encouraged by what we found. We put “The Palestinians must come to the table president-elect Trump, calling him “a true earth’”. To this he emphatically declared, together a video featuring some of the knowing that the bond between the United friend of Israel”. “You can forget that!” “best bits” of a speech he gave back in States and Israel is absolutely, totally March, and posted it onto Facebook. We unbreakable. They must come to the table Israelis also see Trump as pro-Israel. In Mr. Trump launched a scathing rebuke were blown away by the response. willing and able to stop the terror being the weeks following Trump’s election, a of the United Nations, saying the UN is committed on a daily basis against Israel.” Dialogue Poll was conducted in Israel that no longer a friend of Israel, democracy or Three million people viewed the video, showed 83% of Israelis believe Donald over 100,000 people liked or shared it, with the United States. He vowed, “When I’m “And they must come to the table willing to Trump is pro-Israel. thousands adding their comments. president, believe me, I will veto any attempt accept that Israel is a Jewish state and it will by the U.N. to impose its will on the Jewish forever exist as a Jewish state.” CUFI-UK also conducted a Facebook poll state. It will be vetoed 100 percent.” We would like to share some of this speech following the election finding that Israel to give you some of Mr. Trump’s views on He ended his speech by stating “I love supporters overwhelmingly (88%) see a Israel: Palestinian incitement is often something Israel. I love Israel”. Trump Presidency as a good thing for Israel. world leaders tiptoe around and Israel is “I speak to you today as a lifelong supporter wrongly blamed for terror attacks against its Trump’s pro-Israel stance spans decades, Despite his flaws, it could well be for Israel’s and true friend of Israel,” he said. “I am a own citizens. Mr Trump had a different view. and he has backed this up with action. sake that Mr. Trump has been chosen “for newcomer to politics, but not to backing the such a time as this”. Jewish state.” “When you live in a society where athletes In 2001, after the 9/11 terror attacks, Donald Giving his take on the Iran Nuclear Deal, Mr. and movie stars are the heroes, little kids Trump sent the Mayor of New York to Israel Let us pray for Mr Trump, that he will keep Trump labelled it “disastrous”, and vowed to want to be athletes and movie stars.” on his private jet. At the time Israel was itself his promises and lives up to being a “true “dismantle it” if he became president. experiencing numerous terror attacks in the friend of Israel”.

6 CUFI.ORG.UK CUFI.ORG.UK 7 n late October, Prince Charles joined the streets to with hundreds of leaders and dignitaries distribute rations I from around the world to attend the to policemen funeral of Shimon Peres, the former Prime and children in Minister and President of Israel. While in contravention of Jerusalem, he visited a place with a strong the curfew order. connection to the Royal Family. When told she could be shot On the Mount of Olives, above the Garden and killed, she of Gethsemane, lies the picturesque Church replied, “They tell of St Mary Magdalene. There, Princess Alice me that you don’t of Battenberg, the paternal grandmother of hear the shot that kills you. And in any case I Prince Charles is buried. am deaf. So why worry about that?”

Princess Alice was an extraordinary woman. Princess Alice died at Windsor Castle in 1969, She was the great-granddaughter of Queen and her remains lay at first in St. George’s Victoria, the mother of Prince Philip (the Chapel, Windsor. But her final wish was to be Queen’s husband) and was born at Windsor buried at the Russian Orthodox Convent on Castle in 1885. the Mount of Olives, near her aunt Elizabeth, the Grand Duchess of Russia, who was Congenitally deaf, she nevertheless learned to murdered by the Bolsheviks and declared a speak English and German. She led a difficult Russian Orthodox saint. Her remains were life, in and out of exile from Greece, after transferred there in 1988. marrying Prince Andrew of Greece in 1903 and becoming Princess of Greece. Princess Alice was recognised by Yad Vashem as one of the “Righteous Among During World War II she lived in Athens and the Nations”. And in 1994, her son Prince had sons-in-law who were fighting on the Philip attended a ceremony in Jerusalem to German side while her own son was in the commemorate his mother’s life. Whilst there British Royal Navy fighting the Nazis. During he met with members of the Cohen family the Nazi occupation of Athens, the German’s whom his mother had hid for 13 months assumed that she was pro-German, and on during the war. visiting her a general asked, “Is there anything I can do for you?” She replied, “You can take Prince Charles had long wanted to make your troops out of my country”. the journey to visit his grandmother’s grave. Whilst there he placed flowers – which he In 1943, Athens was home to around 75,000 picked himself from his Scottish retreat of THE ROYAL Jews. Of these, around 60,000 were deported Birkhall. He also placed flowers at the grave to Nazi concentration camps, where all but of his ancestor the Grand Duchess. 2,000 died. During this period Princess Alice hid Jewish widow Rachel Cohen and two While members of the Royal Family, like of her five children in her home. Rachel’s Prince Charles, have visited Israel on rare CONNECTION TO husband, Haimaki Cohen had aided King occasions, there has never been an official George I of Greece in 1913. In return, King visit to Israel by a member of the Royal George offered him any service he could per- Family. However, there have been reports of a form, should Cohen ever need it. Cohen’s son possible visit in 2017. JERUSALEM remembered this during the Nazi threat and appealed to Princess Alice. She honoured the This touching story reminds us of the many The extraordinary story of Princess Alice promise and saved the Cohen family. connections between our two nations. Our hope is that the Royal Family will one day When Athens was liberated in October soon honour the State of Israel with an official 1944, Princess Alice insisted on walking visit. CUFI.ORG.UK 9 CUFI Tens of thousands evacuated as fires spread across Israel Israel suffered severe according to police. It came wildfires in November, many as Israel was experiencing WATCH of which were suspected of extreme dry and warm ISSUE #005 CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL - UK AUTUMN 2016 being started deliberately. weather and, coupled with Fires spread across the strong winds, the risk of fires country, burning huge significantly increased. UK votes against Israel at the UN swaths of land, destroying hundreds of homes and Jerusalem Post reports that The United Nations General businesses, and forcing tens at least 35 people were Assembly adopted six of thousands of people to arrested on suspicion of anti-Israel resolutions in flee. Dozens were injured, committing arson or inciting just one day, including a though few seriously. others to do so, mostly controversial resolution that Palestinians and the rest the UK supported. A third of the fires recorded Arab Israelis. were started by arsonists, The adopted resolution Russia, Turkey, Jordan and on Jerusalem (document in particular the so-called Jerusalem’s holy sites. The Egypt were among the A/71/L.22) was voted in “Basic Law” on Jerusalem result meant that UNESCO nations that sent firefighting favour by 149 nations, and the proclamation of will now only refer to the planes to assist Israel in including the United Jerusalem as the capital of Temple Mount complex combating the large fires. Kingdom on 29 November. Israel, were null and void by Islamic names (Al-Aqsa We understand that the UK The United States, Canada and must be rescinded Mosque and Haram al- were among a number of and, of course, Israel were forthwith” Sharif) and no longer use nations that also offered among the seven nations other names in Hebrew assistance. that voted against it. The resolution also and English (Har HaBayit or significantly referred to Temple Mount). In Haifa, Israel’s third The resolution reiterated Jerusalem’s Temple Mount largest city, a quarter of the the UN General Assembly’s only as “Haram al Sharif”, In 2017, Israel will be population were evacuated determination that any hereby denying the Jewish marking 50 years since the from their homes. actions taken by Israel, connection. reunification of Jerusalem Hundreds of Israelis living the “occupying power”, to and 100 years since the in unaffected areas opened impose its laws, jurisdiction The statement of the Balfour Declaration. We also their hearts to take in and administration on the resolution is completely expect moves by the new evacuees across central and Holy City of Jerusalem were flawed. Israel is not the United States administration northern Israel with reports of illegal and therefore null occupying power – they to relocate its embassy to heart-warming cooperation and void and had no validity own the land. Jerusalem is Jerusalem. At the same between Jews and Arabs. whatsoever, and called upon the capital city of Israel and time, we anticipate that Israel to immediately cease Israel does have jurisdiction Palestinian leadership all such illegal and unilateral over its own capital. will be manipulating the UN General Assembly after saying he is “supposed measures. Furthermore, the Jewish international community to president Peter Thomson to stand for diplomatic historical connection to the further undermine the Jewish has been criticised for neutrality.” He said, “It is The document also Temple Mount precedes connection to Jerusalem. wearing a Palestinian unfortunate that [Thomson] referred to a previous 2001 Islam. This UN resolution That is why showing your flag scarf on the occasion chose to wrap himself in the resolution stating that “all does only harm to the peace support for Jerusalem as the of International Day Palestinian flag at an event legislative and administrative process. eternal, undivided capital of of Solidarity with the whose sole purpose is to measures and actions taken Israel is so important. Palestinian People at the spread lies and deceit about by Israel, the occupying The latest votes follow the Israel. This is proof of the TAKE ACTION: UN, which took place on 29 Power, which have altered adoption of two anti-Israel bias against Israel and the Contact Foreign Secretary November. or purported to alter the resolutions by UNESCO in slander spread about us on Boris Johnson. Go to character and status of October that effectively deny Israeli Ambassador to the a daily basis at the UN.” www.cufi.org.uk/UN the Holy City of Jerusalem, the biblical connection to UN reacted 10 11 NEWS IN BRIEF ISIS attack on Israeli football team in Albania foiled

REPORT: Police in Kosovo say they prevented Over 200 US-approved simultaneous attacks by the Islamic State group, including on the Israeli national textbooks teach Palestinian Portuguese restaurant football team during the Albania-Israel children to kill Jews vandalised by anti-Israel match in November. activists Experts say they have discovered that 240 Police arrested 19 people on suspicion of US-approved textbooks teach children Anti-Israel activists vandalised a having links with Islamic State and planning to take up armed struggle against Israel, restaurant in Portugal in November to carry out attacks in Kosovo and Albania. sacrifice themselves as martyrs and drive because its head chef participated in a the Jews out of the land. UN ranks Israel field food festival in Israel. The perpetrators, who are believed to be activists for the hospitals as “number one The textbooks have been approved by British engineering firm Rolls Royce Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions the US government and are being used and Israeli airline EL AL have signed in the world” movement against Israel, spilled red in over 400 Palestinian schools run by the the “largest ever trade deal” between paint on the façade of the Cantinho UNRWA in Gaza, the West Bank and East Israel and the UK, it was announced in The UN’s World Health Organisation do Avillez restaurant in the city of Porto Jerusalem. They teach children from age 5 November. (WHO) has awarded the IDF’s field hospital and posted signs on it reading: “Free team with the “Type 3” designation, a to 15 and even manage to incite hatred in Palestine,” and “Avillez collaborates with Anti-Semitism in Germany rose threefold maths questions and Christian studies. status that no medical team in the world Zionist occupation”. in one year, new official figures have has ever reached before. revealed. According to newly released Although the UNRWA have long claimed figures from the Ministry of Justice, there that they do not teach children to hate More than that, they have awarded were 2,083 cases of attacks on Jews, Israel, David Bedein, the head of the Center UK car garage refuses to sell it as “Type 3” with some additional Jewish property, and hate speech last for Near East Policy Research, said that “specialised care” recognitions, making it car part to Israeli customer year, up from just 691 cases in 2014. not only the first to achieve the top rank, the findings showed a central theme: “the but the first to exceed it. preparation of the children for war.” An Israeli resident was refused the The Israel Air Force struck a terrorist purchase of a wing mirror for his car cell affiliated withIslamic State on 27 after being refused service because of his November after its members fired across nationality. the border at an IDF unit – the first ever Jerusalem church ISIS attack on Israel. Four terrorists were Ford Parts Oldham (which is not affiliated killed, while no IDF soldiers were hurt. destroyed; Bibles with Ford) told the Israeli customer, “As we do not recognise the state of Israel Israel’s former deputy ambassador to burned by Muslim we do not ship to such non-existent the UK has been appointed to the key neighbours countries however delivery to Palestine diplomatic role of new Israeli envoy to Before After can be arranged at a sensible price.” Turkey, as the two former regional allies seek to improve relations. Eitan Na’eh will An evangelical church in east Jerusalem that they’ve been trying to evict the church be Israel’s first ambassador to Turkey for was attacked in November and most of for two years – an accusation the church six years. the belongings were stolen and burned strongly denies. France: 70-year-old Jewish in a skip by Muslim neighbours. Church members and other local Christians man attacked near Strasbourg Living Bread Church was ransacked held a prayer service outside the church, synagogue and extensively damaged, yet the attack expressing hope for the future. The pastor failed to get hardly any coverage from of the church said they have decided not The victim, who was hit in his face and the media. The Muslim neighbours to pursue legal action but will be offering legs, was wearing a kippah when he left Get all the latest Israel news at who vandalised and seized the church forgiveness to the neighbours. the city’s main synagogue. The attacker claim the rent has not been paid and shouted “dirty Jew, I’ll kill you”. WWW.CUFI.ORG.UK

12 13 In Israel, members of the Christian and Muslim minorities fill all types of high positions. For example, there is a Maronite Christian Supreme Court judge, Salim Joubran.

Last year, Israel recognised the existence of a group of Christians Arab Israeli soldiers celebrating Christmas – “Arameans” – within its borders; something no Arab or Muslim-majority In an official 2015 Christmas greeting nation in the Middle East has ever done. to Israel’s Christians, Prime Minister Israel recognised a distinct religious and Netanyahu said: “I am proud to say that ethnic group: the indigenous people of Israel is one of the few countries in the the ancient Fertile Crescent, whom have Middle East, maybe the only country in ISRAEL: THE SAFEST recently suffered extreme persecution in the Middle East, where Christians are truly Syria. Their language, Aramaic, was the free to practice their faith openly, freely, to language spoken by Jesus centuries before celebrate Christmas and other Christian PLACE FOR CHRISTIANS Islam came to the region. holidays. The State of Israel is a beacon of liberty in a Middle East plagued by Christians also serve in the Israel Defense oppression and extremism. Here everyone IN THE MIDDLE EAST Forces. Last year saw a significant rise can practice their faith, because in Israel, in the number of Arab Christians joining religious freedom is sacred.” the , according to s Christian persecution sweeps places that surround Israel were listed in a report. Father Gabriel Nadaf, a Greek- Recent years show that Christians in many across the Middle East, one country the top 50, all of which surround the only Orthodox priest active in a group founded parts of the world are subject to heightened A stands out as a beacon of hope Jewish State. However, the only Jewish State in 2012 and which supports and works persecution during the Christmas period. where Christians are safe to live and are is not on the list. toward more Christian Israelis joining the Therefore, we must remember and pray for thriving – Israel. army. The IDF does not provide precise our Christian brothers and sisters during Meanwhile, Christian persecution is on the numbers of Christians serving in its ranks, this Season and thank Israel for being the With freedom to believe and full rise in the Palestinian Territories, which is but the forum says the rise is significant safest place for Christians in the Middle democratic rights, Israel provides Christians ranked as the 24th most difficult place to and that there are currently 300 Christians East. with a haven in a region that is becoming live as a Christian. Citing Islamic extremism serving in the IDF. increasingly difficult for Christians to live as the main source of the persecution, freely. Christians now make up less than 1% of the population and decreasing. Sign-up to our Christians and other minorities in Israel prosper and grow, while in other Israel supports and gives Christians and WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP countries in the Middle East, as well as other minorities – Druse, Muslims, Baha’i, with the latest on Israel in the Palestinian Territories, they suffer everyone – full civil rights, freedom and heavily from the Islamic movement and legal rights to exist peacefully and practice and anti-Semitism in the UK and persecution – until forced to disappear. their faith as they wish. Europe straight to your inbox. Earlier this year The World Watch List, published by Open Doors, listed 50 Contrary to propaganda, there is no Visit www.cufi.org.uk countries worldwide where Christians “apartheid” of any kind in Israel, and no to subscribe experience the most persecution. Of the 50 roads on which only Jews may travel, unlike countries listed, Iraq, Syria and Iran were in Saudi Arabia, for example, which has Or email “subscribe” placed in the top 10 with Iraq being second real apartheid roads, since only Muslims to [email protected] overall behind North Korea. A further eight may travel to Mecca.

14 CUFI.ORG.UK CUFI.ORG.UK 15 rena Sendler was born in Poland into a gathered some of her colleagues and told She was eventually sentenced to death by Christian family in 1910. She lived just them, “Listen, we have to declare war on shooting and sent off for execution. The I fifteen miles from the largest Jewish Hitler!” following day her death was announced and community in Poland and from an early age posters were placed over the city. However, became familiar with the Jewish people. At the Putting together a small group, Irena devised Irena was not dead. In fact, she read one of age of seven, her father, who was a doctor, a plan to smuggle children out of the ghetto. the posters herself. The Zegota had bribed contracted typhus and died. Many of his Each time she entered the ghetto she begged her executioner, who instead of shooting her, patients were Jews whom other doctors would mothers to give up their children. helped her escape and faked her death. not treat. They turned everyday items into smuggling During the remaining years of the war, she The Jewish community appreciated the work of tools, hiding children in coffins, potato sacks lived hidden, just like the children she rescued. her father and offered to pay for Irena’s education; and even a tool box. The children who could When the war was finally over, she dug up her mother politely declined. speak good Polish were taught Christian the bottles and began the job of finding the prayers to be smuggled through a Church at children and trying to find a living parent. Attending the University of Warsaw, she the entrance to the ghetto, but this was risky experienced anti-Semitism when the university as the Nazis guarded the entrance. Unfortunately, almost all the parents of the participated in the “ghetto-bench system”, where children Irena saved died at the Treblinka Jewish students were placed on the left side of If a child pretended to be sick, or was death camp. But Irena had already made lecture halls in seats designated for them only. genuinely sick, then Irena’s team could legally each family who accepted a child promise She opposed this system and as a sign of protest remove the child from the ghetto in the that they would send the children to Jewish defaced her grade card in public, resulting in a ambulance. They would also hide another families when the war had ended. three year suspension from the university. child under the stretcher carrying the sick child. When she counted all the names in her jars, In 1939 Germany invaded Poland and the brutal there were over 2,500 children. The Christian treatment of Jews began. Irena did what she Irena also kept her dog in the back of her could by offering food and shelter. However, when truck which she trained to bark each time they With the exception of diplomats who issued woman who the Warsaw Ghetto was created in 1940, Irena passed through the ghetto gates. This had visas to help Jews flee Nazi-occupied Europe, could no longer help the isolated Jews. The Ghetto the double effect of keeping the guards at a Irena saved more Jews than any other was an area the size of New York’s Central Park, distance and also covering up any crying or individual during the Holocaust. “Every child declared war was surrounded by 10ft high walls with barbed other noises that the children might make. saved with my help is the justification of my wire on top and guarded by Nazi guards. Around existence on this earth and not a title to my 450,000 Jewish people were forced to live in this Every rescued child was housed by non- glory,” she said. on Hitler area. Jewish families and provided with new documentation and a new name. However, Her fight for the Jews did not end with the war, The conditions in the ghetto were dire. Forced Irena kept the real names of the children and she was also an advocate for Israel. In fact, to live on just 180 calories per day, around 5,000 their location written on thin pieces of tissue in 1969 she was forced to retire early from Jews died each month from starvation and and stored them in jars. She then buried Poland’s Ministries of Education and Health disease. these jars under a tree that only she knew the after she made public declarations of support location of. for Israel during the 1967 Six Day War. It was at this time that Irena joined a small underground movement called Zegota, the Irena (who was using the alias Jolanta) was Irena Sendler was recognised by the State Polish Council to Aid Jews, where she became the arrested by the Gestapo on 20 October 1943 of Israel in 1965 as “Righteous among the head of the children’s division. Using her social after her operation was discovered. She was Nations”. In her later years she also received worker papers and the papers of a worker of the placed in the notorious Piawiak prison where the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest Contagious Disease Department (who was part she was questioned and tortured. The Nazis honour, for her work saving the children. of the Zegota) she gained access to the Warsaw broke both her legs and ankles. No matter Ghetto under the false pretenses that she was how much they broke her body, they could Irena passed away in 2008 at the age of 98. inspecting for disease. not break her spirit. She never revealed the A remarkable woman who declared war on names or locations of any of the children or Hitler… and won. Irena described the ghetto as “pure hell beyond the Zegota. description.” So disturbed by what she saw, she

16 CUFI.ORG.UK CUFI.ORG.UK 17 Become a Partner with cufi WORLD’S OLDEST MAN CELEBRATES HIS BAR MITZVAH

AT 113 Your financial support enables us to make a pro-active stand for Israel in our nation by providing resource, confronting anti-Semitism and shaping public opinion through our campaigns. israel Kristal, the world’s oldest “This was a miracle that came true in front man, has celebrated his bar of our eyes,” said his daughter, Shulimath. Now is the time for us to stand up and speak out Y mitzvah 100 years after missing it for Israel and the Jewish people. the first time due to World War I. Mr Kristal, 113, recited Jewish prayers and his family and friends gathered to - gently - Yisrael was born in Lodz, Poland in 1903. throw sweets at him, a bar mitzvah tradition. As a young man, he married and had two All partners of CUFI-UK receive children, and worked in his family’s sweet His daughter said he sat quietly through this exclusive lapel pin badge and a business. much of the ceremony and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren personalised certificate of partnership When Germany invaded Poland, the Nazis gathered around him. “Holocaust survivors by setting up a monthly donation of created a ghetto for the Jews. In these know how to welcome this moment better your choosing. dire conditions, both of Yisrael’s children than anyone else,” she said. perished. Later, he and his wife were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where When he was named the world’s oldest man his wife died. by Guinness World Records, Kristal insisted, Go to: www.cufi.org.uk/donate “I don’t know the secret for long life.” He survived the Holocaust, being liberated Call: 01793 86 22 10 by Allied forces in May 1945, and moved to “I believe that everything is determined from Israel with his second wife in 1950. above and we shall never know the reasons

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Now, a century after his thirteenth birthday, and better looking men then me who are MAGAZINE his family organised a bar mitzvah no longer alive. All that is left for us to do is celebration for him at his home in the Israeli to keep on working as hard as we can and Subscribe to TORCH Magazine for free coastal city of Haifa. rebuild what is lost.”

CHRISTIANS, JEWS AND THE QUEEN CUFI.ORG.UK/SUBSCRIBE NO LIE SHALL PROSPER Black South Africans speak WATER IN THE DESERT about the reality of apartheid How Israeli ingenuity and God’s in Israel. favour is causing water to fl ow 18 CUFI.ORG.UK in the desert. SAVE THE 22 JUNE 2017 DATE WESTMINSTER, LONDON

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