The Media Review is an English-language synopsis of articles that were originally published in the Israeli press. The articles, most of which were written in Hebrew, focus on Messianic Jews and Christianity. This synoptic translation is a Caspari Center exclusive. The Media Review reports what was said in the press irrespective of its accuracy, and the information does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Caspari Center. On occasion the editor includes explanatory matter in brackets, preceeded by the words [Editor’s note:].

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During the week covered by this review, we received 3 articles on the subjects of anti-missionary activity, Christians in Israel, and Christian sites. Of these:

1 dealt with anti-missionary activities

1 dealt with Christians in Israel

1 dealt with Christian sites

This week's Review was a sparse miscellanea.

HaModia (English edition), July 29, 2010

This reported was devoted to Yad L'Achim's protest over the "Christian complex at Kinneret" which, in the anti-missionary organization's opinion, "will be used by missionaries." The article concentrated on Ann Ayalon, who is promoting the project: "The wife of Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, together with well-known evangelical preachers, is actively promoting a massive Christian educational campus to be built on the shores of the Kinneret ... Mrs. Ayalon has enlisted the support of Rev. Dr. Robert Stearns - an evangelical who is actively promoting a messianic Christian revival in Israel and is supporting missionaries in Israel - and of the evangelical pastor John Hagee. In addition, she has the inexplicable support of a number of rabbis in Israel. Mrs. Ayalon, a Christian who claims to have undergone conversion to Judaism, last year proudly told a Christian missionary channel that her being a Christian did not prevent her husband from marrying her. She also spoke enthusiastically about the fact that 80 percent of the sermons of J. were delivered on the grounds of the Galilee. If that weren't enough, at an official reception, Ayalon spoke movingly of her admiration for J. and her faith in him. The Kinneret complex that she is planning includes a prayer room she says is designed like 'a synagogue from the first century, exactly like those in which J. prayed.'" The organization's director, Shalom Dov Lipshitz, was stated as having "expressed concern at the dubious connection between Ayalon and a number of rabbis who have lent their names in support of the project. He said that he had approached the rabbis and asked them to dissociate themselves from it."

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Zman Yerushalayim, August 6, 2010

Under the headline "Yeshu is turning over in his grave," this article reported on the fact that, for the first time in modern history, churches in the Old City in Jerusalem are being asked to pay for their water use - retroactively from 1967. The bills are expected to reach "millions of shekels" and the water company is "threatening to cut off the water of those people who do not pay. An international storm is on its way ... These are the most important churches in the Christian world, including the Holy Sepulcher, the Armenian Church, and the Greek Orthodox Church. In response, the churches have appealed to the Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, to cancel the decree." It appears that the churches have never paid for their water usage since the first water infrastructure was installed in the Old City, a system inherited by the British Mandatory forces and subsequently by the State of Israel. "According to the agreement created, water services were supplied free of charge by the ruling municipal authorities as a gesture to the sacred Christian denominations." The Jordanians retained the same system in 1948, and the Israeli government subsequently maintained the status quo. The demand is "likely to undermine the economic state of the churches, some of which are suffering financial problems in any case." Church leaders are vigorously protesting the move, which in their eyes not only represents a unilateral act on the part of the water company but a change in the hundred-year policy adopted by the municipality, "an act they interpret as an impingement on the holy sites, Catholic and non-Catholic alike."

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Globes, August 5, 2010

Under the headline "Updated catalogue of mosaics," this brief article noted that "July was a good month for the Nature and Parks Authority. Apart from the opening to the public of the Monastery of Martyrius in Ma'ale Adumim and the Monastery of St. Euthymius in Mishor Adumim [both south-east of Jerusalem], the Authority has also taken over administration of the 'Good Samaritan' Museum, also newly opened ... The early route from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea and Jericho was of great importance in the ancient period. From here, during the Second Temple period pilgrims ascended to the Temple on the three pilgrim festivals, and Christian pilgrims attribute great importance to the fact that Yeshu walked precisely the same route on his final visit to Jerusalem ... The name of the place is taken from the story from the New Testament (Luke 10) about a man who was attacked by robbers. A priest saw him and passed by; a Levite passed by, saw him, and continued on his way; and finally a Samaritan passed by - and took care of him. Ever since, this act has served as a parable for good deeds done on one's way."

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