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Saturday, January 8, 2022

Bussel Responds to Email Distorting Jewish Attacks against Christians in Israel


 

Intro by John R. Houk

Email by Ari Bussel

Intro © January 8, 2022

 

A quote from Ari Bussel wondering about indigenous born Arab Christians in the Middle East and Israel:

 

If given a choice to live in the Jewish State or under Arab/Palestinian/Iranian/Muslim rule, they will never choose the latter. And yet, they criticize and malign Israel. I have never understood why so very few of them find the courage or exhibit the characteristics they preach to stand up and defend Israel; unless they think that they have a future at all if Israel will cease to exist.

 

In this post submitted by Ari is lengthy valid response to an email Ari received pointing to an article about Jews attacking Christians in Israel and a Black-American Bishop who immigrated to Israel acting as if Jewish attack are the norm rather than the exception but with zero mention of Muslims persecuting Christians causing a depopulation in Judea-Samaria.

 

And another matter: Jews were persecuted 2,000 years before the birth of Jesus (raised as a Jew) and SADLY Jews have been persecuted by Christians (and other groups) for another 2,000-plus years. Is there any wonder there is Jewish mistrust of Christian motives?

 

Then there is the sad phenomenon that the millennia of Christians that themselves have survived Muslim persecuting practices have lived under the brainwashing tactics under Dhimmitude one of submitting to Quranic induced Jew-hatred.

 

Those are my thoughts, but Ari Bussel is much more erudite than I in dispelling essentially a Christian camp leaning into Antisemitism.

 

JRH 1/8/22

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Re: EXCLUSIVE: Evangelical bishop says Israel must deal with attacks, discrimination against Christians coming from ‘radicalized’ Jewish groups

 

Sent by Ari Bussel

Sent 1/3/2022 11:15 AM

 

On Jan 1, 2022, at 7:59 PM, Pablo Nankin, MD SENT:

 

Hi 

Not sure if this anti Israel or middle line
https://allisrael.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a22d85388ddcd4f211b8287b6&id=7225d2a4d1&e=4d8bad3992

 

[Blog Editor: After reading the post associated with the link, it is my humble opinion the Bishop is criticizing the persecution of ALL Christians in Israel but is particularly disturbed by Jewish animus toward Israeli Christians. On a personal level when the Bishop talks of Christian persecution he makes zero reference to the Muslim persecution of Christians particularly in the Judea-Samaria (rudely labeled West Bank or Palestinian Authority controlled land) where huge numbers of Christians have been reduced by persecution via Muslims against Christians.  Here is the link’s headline, opening and first paragraph and skip a few paragraphs where the Bishop decries the treatment of Black Americans not a part of the email:

 

EXCLUSIVE: Evangelical bishop says Israel must deal with attacks, discrimination against Christians coming from ‘radicalized’ Jewish groups

Bishop Plummer says “time for silence is over;” urges dialogue and stepped-up support from current Israeli government

 

 

Church of God in Christ Bishop of Israel Glenn Plummer and First Lady Ruth Pauline Plummer, Ph.D. at the Israeli president's New Year's reception, Dec. 29, 2021. (Photo: courtesy)

 

By Nicole Jansezian

December 30, 2021

All Israel News

 

An Evangelical bishop backed a statement issued by the heads of traditional Christian churches in the Holy Land, saying that the time for remaining silent is over in the face of radicalized hatred and attacks on Christians and their holy places.

 

 

Plummer, spoke with ALL ISRAEL NEWS after attending a New Year’s reception hosted by Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday, where Herzog welcomed the leaders of several denominations in Israel – from Catholic and Coptic to Greek and Armenian Orthodox along with leaders of Evangelical ministries in the land.

 

The reception came a few weeks after these same denominational leaders issued a statement condemning racist acts against Christians in Israel, including “countless incidents of physical and verbal assaults against priests and other clergy, attacks on Christian churches, with holy sites regularly vandalized and desecrated, and ongoing intimidation of local Christians who simply seek to worship freely and go about their daily lives.”

 

We have reported on several such incidents, here and here.

 

 

“The White Evangelical leadership and organizations have tried to keep it quiet because they don’t want backlash against Israel – our mutual adversaries will take that and use it against Israel,” Plummer said. “But secondly, it’s also out of fear. It’s out of fear that if they take a public position, that these guys will show up at their door as well.”

 

But Plummer said that as “Bishop of Israel for the largest Black church in the world, we know what discrimination and racism feels like in America.”

 

You can read entire post

 

++++

Ari Bussel REPLY

 

Happy 2022 Ellie and Pablo!

 

PREFACE

 

In recent years, there is a phenomenon of developers coming to Beverly Hills and telling us - active and caring residents of decades - what is good for our City (they really mean what is good for them). Most regrettably, the two most notable examples that come to mind are of Jewish developers. About one’s behavior I wrote before Yom Kippur many years ago (he has boycotted me ever since); the other is a recent comer, and in a Rabbi-supervised dialogue between us, he was astonished when I described his behavior as Rosh Katan (small head, i.e., limiting one’s behavior to what is most narrowly excusable or the minimum required). If it were not for the respect to the Rabbi, I would have immediately been declared Public Enemy No. 1.

 

Similarly, an American Black Evangelical Leader moves to Israel with his wife during the Great Pandemic. On its face, anyone familiar with Israeli immigration requirements would find this fascinating. In an extremely short period of time, this person is being embraced by the Israeli political elite, which has been courting Christians for a long time now.

 

So why would anyone point out the fact the Evangelical leader is Black? Because he uses the color of the skin, or the Race Card, a most common phenomenon in the USA of President Obama and President Biden. The leader brings with him from the USA the current culture of accusations that “America is systematically racist” and that “all White males are racist” as well as floating into the air “White Supremacists” and “Domestic Terrorism” and other like buzz words that divide rather than unite the country.

 

He then applies it toward a new landscape, accusing his new host country of the very same evils. True or not, this does not matter. The objective is not to improve anything that might need improvement, to highlight real issues and work on real solutions; rather it is to sow discord and distrust. When catchy lies (half a sentence long to maximum a sentence long) are floated to the air, it is very difficult to disprove them. The bigger the lie, the easier it becomes an accepted truth.

 

I have dedicated the past quarter of a century, if not longer, to building bridges between Christians and Jews. It is a most tedious work, one stone at a time, brick after brick. We stand proud of the distance traversed thus far in Judeo-Christian relations. And this most formidable fort that was erected is attracting opposition, attempt after attempt to tear it down, much like what happened with the First and Second Temples.

 

To this very day Jews fast four times a year to remember the destruction that took place two millennia ago. We remember the past in order not to repeat it. Today, in a slightly different context, we face the very same division and forces that threaten our unity and very survival.

 

Let us stand united in our conviction, in our team experience and mutual respect and expel from within us those who want to weaken our defenses, to accuse us of wrongdoing where there is none and to spread confusion among us. Let us remain focused on what is important, on what God wants from us, and we will be able to separate truth from fiction, reality from lies, good intentions from evil ones.

 

The Newcomer to Israel may not have any insidious intentions. He may simply be bringing with him and echoing loudly a current-day American culture that has gone wild, in the wrong direction. This should not be welcomed in Israel, for we have enough enemies - internal and external - and we do not need to be distracted by more unjust, undeserving and untrue attacks.

 

A Reply to Your Query

 

The article cited below [Blog Editor: And quoted in brief form above] is not anti in any direct sense of the word to which we are accustomed; but it is dangerous nonetheless.

 

(1) Lies Told Often Enough

 

What I hear when I read this article is a huge choir repeating a chorus. It is heard in the background, like distant drums, and as it gets closer, the noise becomes frightening, overwhelming, most dangerous. In my mind’s eye I hear repeated accusations, drums beating:  White Supremacists, Haters, Racists and Domestic Terrorists (characteristic of the US), Settlers, Occupation and Jesus at the Checkpoint (to give a taste of Israel). There is no terrorism, there are no acts of terror, just Israeli-soldiers, Nazi-like, restricting movement and life in general.

 

Equally alarming, I hear transposition of reality, blaming the Jews for what others are doing. How very typical to the Middle East!

 

I am beginning to feel deja vu:  taking a reality, transposing it and floating the lie over and over and over again so that people are convinced it is the truth. Just to name a few examples:  Mossad agents are the evildoers in any current prime-time TV series in the US while Muslims are the sexy, smart, good-doers. Mossad perpetrated the 9/11 Attacks. Islam is a peaceful religion and Jihad is a quest for peace. Israelis are the new Nazis. Israel wants to topple down or burn the Al Aqsa Mosque. And more appropriately to this discussion:  Settlers uproot olive groves, Settlers steal the water of Palestinians, Settlers allow sewage to flow into nature (that clearly belongs to the Palestinian), Settlers burn Palestinian homes and murder their Palestinian neighbors and so forth. Soon to come:  Settlers shoot at Palestinian cars and stub innocent 80-year-old ladies walking in the street or run cars into people standing at bus stops.

 

In Bethlehem, under Palestinian Authority rule (Israelis are not allowed), the Christian population dwindled down to less than 2%, and yet this article refers us to a previous statement about Israel, not about PA-ruled Bethlehem:  the Christian population has decreased from 20% at its height to less than 2% now. In reality, though, the number of Christians in Israel continues to increase, but why let the facts confuse us?

 

(2) Attention Seekers

 

The actions described are reflective, in part, of an attention-seeking Bishop. He has just arrived, and he is already charging and leading a fight to reform Israel, to save the Evangelical Christians who live there (and maybe to save Israel from herself!).

 

I am immediately reminded of another self-proclaimed prominent Christian Leader.

 

Remember when Netanyahu lost after four election cycles within two years, and a new coalition government was formed (the current government under Bennett)?

 

One Christian leader who published dozens of books and has a museum and a communications center in Jerusalem went all out against Bennett and the new government. He was so self-absorbed in his momentary madness, that he threatened to unleash tens of millions of Christians from around the world AGAINST Israel, bringing into question not his sanity but the essence of his support. [Those who support Israel do so not only so long as their interests are well served. He who threatens to unleash powers against Israel better remember that it is a declaration of war against God Lord of Hosts Himself (which should come with a health warning).]  Since then, Mike Evans calmed down and returned to his senses. Any contrition shown might have been more for public consumption.

 

Then a new Leader and his wife arrived to Israel, and in short time claimed a position of prominence. I wonder how this happened so quickly and so very easily, there is something unnatural about it. Perhaps I am a skeptic (I likewise treat Mike Evans’s claim of having tens of millions of followers with some respect and some doubt).

 

What I do know, though, is that this leader has utilized the color of his skin and his title (not to be confused with the more commonly-used title of Bishop in the Catholic Church), as well as God the Almighty Himself, something that is NOT in our hands and should never be done. If God wants to support someone, He knows how to do so. It is not by the person’s self-proclamations.

 

What is most alarming, is that this is not the first battle cry in so many months. Bishop Plummer was a guest speaker at the Christian Media Summit in Jerusalem, and there too he criticizes, something that might have gone unnoticed by many. After all, it is a new virus unrecognized by the Body Israel (like CoVid-19 which was unrecognized by the human body).

 

(3) Let’s Get the Facts Straight

 

In this article, let me first touch on a point of history:  The President’s meeting and reception with Christian leaders (real, locally-established leaders - unlike the self-anointed, instant new-comers who were kindly invited to join as welcomed guests) has been going on since the formation of the Modern State of Israel.

 

In fact, the inclusion of Bishop Plummer evidences Israel’s constant quest for making an outreach and finding leaders of the other side (in this instance, Christians, for their holiest time of the year).  Bishop Plummer mistakenly seems to think this tradition was created in his honor.

 

Israel always paid the utmost respect to other religions; much to its own detriment.

 

Next time you are in Jerusalem, you may want to visit the Jerusalem Residence of Yitzchak Ben Zvi, Israel’s 2nd president (1952 - 1963). At a time that Israel did not have means and was struggling to survive, he (and his wife) thought it would be most appropriate to be at a humble abode, a shack. There he hosted dignitaries from the entire world.

 

A family member of ours served at the President’s residence under Ben Zvi, and his son took us on a tour there in November 2019. Among the pix on the walls, there are pix of President Ben Zvi hosting the Christian leaders in Israel. There is nothing new under the sun, and such meetings/receptions were not for the sake of photo-op, rather real of intention, reflective of an attitude and a reality on the ground. Their mere existence evidence the importance given by Israel to cultivating a two-way relationship, at times of need and at time of joy.

 

So for a newcomer to teach us that the current president’s opening the residence for such a reception is a sign in the right direction simply shows that new-comer is under the mistaken illusion that life and reality commenced upon his most recent arrival, and thus that things revolve around him.  Not so.

 

(4) Truth vs. Evil Fiction

 

If one is under the impression, after reading this article, that Christians are persecuted in Israel, or that it is commonplace for a Christian believer in Israel to be threatened or to be afraid, or for churches to be vandalized and desecrated, such are false and most dangerous accusations.

 

If something like that happens, and should file a police report. Then another. And another. This will create a track record, an audit trail, and it will not go unnoticed.  

 

In Israel it would prompt individuals and non-profits to immediate action. It would give them pleasure and an occupation. It would provide a point about which to argue and fight. This is, before all, Israel!

 

But to generalize and claim that it is commonplace in Israel is a frightening misrepresentation of reality. There are so many places of non-Jewish worship, and they are all part of the tapestry that is Israel. They are protected under the law and in practice, but more so, they are the commonplace throughout Israel. That is exactly the reason that Bahai, Ahmadi, Druze, Armenian, Greek-Orthodox and so very many other minorities find Israel to be the only safe haven throughout the Middle East and the African continent.

 

So what is one to learn from this article? That Evangelical Christians are persecuted in Israel, disrespected, not allowed to practice freely, maybe crucified? Do those Evangelical Christians (and all other Christians) who chose to live in Israel even aware of the conditions described? Do they share the experiences?

 

Why would Christians who live in Israel for a very long time not utter a word when we meet each year? They have not been shy about anything, except what should be most important (life and safety)?

 

If the situation is so bad, how is it that everyone waited for Bishop Plummer to arrive to Israel to discover the horrible truth and lead the fight to change it? Is he the only one that can see, the only one that has the courage and power to act? Maybe a mashiach has finally arrived to the Holy Land?  I am sorry if this sounds disrespectful, but I cannot reconcile what I have witnessed year after year after year for decades with what someone who has moved to Israel less than two years ago claims is a real pandemic. Either I am blind, deaf and dumb - I am not - or something is really wrong in the accusations brought forth. And thus, Pablo, I turn to your question about this article and what might be behind it.

 

(5) Israel’s Detractors

 

Dr. Nankin hosted at his home one of the leaders of the Coptic Church (there is a large community in Los Angeles) following unfavorable statements by the Coptic Pope regarding Israel some years ago. While I can understand why the Coptic Pope in Egypt may not have favorable things to say about Israel, as his fiduciary responsibility is first and foremost to his people who are persecuted, arrested, tortured and murdered and will be at even greater risk if he dares say anything positive about Israel, I cannot understand Christian Arabs in Israel.  

 

Maybe Bishop Plummer only hears what those who speak with a forked tongue have to say?

 

Christian Arabs know that the only place they can worship freely and safely in the entire area called the greater Middle East and the African continent is the Jewish State of Israel.

 

The only place where Christians are safe in this entire region is under Jewish rule of law, practice and traditions.  

 

Christian Arabs know that they will have to pay a Dhimmitude tax and live as second-class citizens anywhere else throughout the Muslim world. They fled from Bethlehem. They fled from Lebanon. They fled from Iran and Iraq. In fact, if the (Catholic) Pope stood by them, they would have fled Africa rather than die there. Apparently, they are not really welcome anywhere in the entire region, except in Israel.  This is why their numbers in this only safe haven grow constantly.

 

If given a choice to live in the Jewish State or under Arab/Palestinian/Iranian/Muslim rule, they will never choose the latter. And yet, they criticize and malign Israel. I have never understood why so very few of them find the courage or exhibit the characteristics they preach to stand up and defend Israel; unless they think that they have a future at all if Israel will cease to exist.

 

Is it possible that after 74 years of “Suffering” after the "Great Catastrophe," Christians in Israel finally have a messiah who has arrived on a white donkey to rescue them from bondage? Maybe, like the Hebrews in Egypt, they did not even understand their plight, and a new Moses has arrived to deliver them to freedom?

 

The story of Moses took place thousands of years ago, and Christians in Israel enjoy freedoms that can be found nowhere else. The only Messiah we are all waiting to reveal Himself is not a flesh and blood who has arrived with his First Lady to Israel during the Great Pandemic. To this point I can attest with my life.

 

(6) Addressing the Claims - Let’s examine the situation on the ground 

 

Is it possible that there are those Jewish Israelis who are hesitant, cautious or even unwelcoming to Christians in Israel? Of course. There is a two millennium history of Jewish persecution, of blaming us for the Crucifixion, of blood libels directed at us and using Jews as scapegoats. There is a very noticeable effort of proselytizing Jews by Christians in Israel. This causes the sensitivity, suspicion and distrust to increase.

 

These are issues we work to address, one small step forward at a time, brick after brick.

 

When on Israel’s Independence Day, at the heart of Tel Aviv, people are accosted by attempts to lure them to leave their Jewish home and replace it with another, it causes concern. When Israelis are approached both directly and covertly in an attempt to convert them, the foundations of the bridge being built during the last twenty some years - this hyphen between Judeo and Christian - shake.

 

But the overwhelming feeling is that of coming together, not apart. We know our past. We understand the dangers of the present. And we raise our eyes to the future, all pre-told in our Bible. We are very sensitive to it all, and we take baby steps, one after the other.  Today we are running together, long distances. We have become a team. Dependable, trustworthy, inseparable. 

 

Even the most Orthodox Jewish religious leaders are opening to conversation, if not outright direct relations with our Christian brethren. It is a new day, a most magnificent day in the making, and the first rays of sun are most encouraging.

 

From the Prime Minister to the President of Israel, past and present, members of the Knesset, religious, business and other leaders, Israel joins in extending a hand to Christians in Israel and throughout the world. Christians realize that without their roots, the Old Testament, they cease to exist; without a certain Jewish Rabbi, they cannot exist. And thus we stand one entire, blessed body, roots to leaves, proud and most grateful.

 

If the situation is as Bishop Plummer describes, we will all go out to change it. But we have not been late arrivals to the scene. We have been in the trenches for two decades and longer, and we still know to differentiate between cow manure and the smell of citrus blossom. We will not allow false prophets with an agenda to cast an evil spell on us. Instead, we will continue fighting side-by-side with others, Jews and Christians together, arm in arm, one protecting the other, against all attacks. Our very survival is at stake, and our enemies know that the only way for them to prevail is to sow doubt and confusion. We have to make sure this does not succeed!

 

Always,

 

Ari Bussel
bussel@me.com

___________________________

Edited by John R. Houk

Text enclosed by brackets are by the Editor.

 

© Ari Bussel


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