During the week covered by this review, we received 3 articles on the following subjects:
Christian Sites
Christian Zionism
Christian Sites
Haaretz, October 25, 2018; The Jerusalem Post, October 25, 2018
The Israel Police had to forcefully remove several Coptic monks from the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre last week, as well as arrest one of them. The ceiling of St. Michael’s Church, which is part of the monastery on the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, has long been in danger of collapse. The Ministry of Interior agreed to cover the cost of the roof repair back in 2014; however, a dispute between the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church stalled the proceedings. In the end, the Copts agreed to allow the renovations to be done by the Israel Antiquities Authority, so long as the Coptic Church could oversee the work and pay for it. This was rejected by Israel. Without an official agreement, the Israel Antiquities Authority arrived last Wednesday to start repairs but was met with resistance. Police then arrived and warned the protesting monks that if they did not move, the police would be forced to remove them. A video which circulated on social media showed several police officers handcuffing and dragging a monk. The video drew in accusations of violence against monks. Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat, for example, said, “this is a continuation of Israeli interference in the status quo of the Holy Sites as well as an aggression against the peoples of Egypt and Palestine.” The monk who was arrested was later released after the Egyptian Embassy interfered.
Christian Zionism
The Jerusalem Post, October 25, 2018
The Friends of Zion Museum has launched a “Just Say Yes” campaign to coincide with the Jewish Assembly conference in Tel Aviv. The purpose of the campaign is to promote support of Donald Trump amongst American Jews. About 71% of American Jews oppose Trump. According to the Friends of Zion Museum, a majority of Israeli Jews approve of the way in which Trump has handled US-Israel relations. The founder of the Museum, Mike Evans, said in the article that Trump has proved his commitment to Israel by moving the Embassy and by cutting aid to the Palestinian Authority. “According to Evans,” the article reported, “the museum has become one of the central institutions in Israel influencing the world and strengthening Israel’s relations globally.”