The International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem (ICEJ) co-sponsors the annual Succot parade through downtown Jerusalem each year amid objections from the Orthodox Jewish community. Jerusalem’s leading rabbis instructed the Orthodox Jewish community not to attend or participate in the parade because they claim that the Christian Embassy engages in "missionary activity".
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IDF Soldiers |
Jewish Girls |
The Rabbis need not fret however because the Christian Embassy as an organization does not condone proselytizing and strongly discourages any person associated with their organization from actively sharing their faith. According to Roy Kendall, honorary staff member of the ICEJ, the Christian Embassy “repeatedly discourages any form of missionary activity”. At the annual conference in Jerusalem three days before the parade, ICEJ leadership stood before over 8,000 Christians from around the world and explicitly warned the parade participants not to evangelize or distribute gospel literature.
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National Christian Embassy Jerusalem |
International Christian Zionist Center |
This year was the first year that Orthodox Rabbis would not allow their congregations to attend the Succot festivities associated with the Christian Embassy. However, there were several Orthodox individuals at the parade representing the Orthodox community and distributing leaflets reading "Danger Missionaries". The printed warning states that the ICEJ is a dangerous missionary organization and their tactics are similar to the Crusades, the Inquisitions or the Holocaust. The leaflet states that the goals of the Christian Embassy’s are the same in that they "want our souls". Those receiving the literature were warned to "Beware of them" and to "Condemn them".
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Anti Missionary Leaflets |
Leaflets on the ground |
The Christian Embassy maintains that they are only a humanitarian organization taking care of the physical needs of the Jewish people. Multiple banners and slogans throughout the parade proclaimed love and support for the Jewish nation. One participant in the parade said that she comes to Israel every year for the parade to show her support for Israel. She said, “We are not here to change the way the Jewish people think, we are here to pray for their peace.” When asked how the Jewish people would receive peace, she answered “only through the Messiah”. Yet she would not actually verbalize the word Messiah, she would only mouth the word. She said she had been told not to say the word “Messiah”. Other Christians participating in the parade all agreed that they had been told numerous times from all levels of leadership at the ICEJ not to evangelize while in Israel.
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Brazilian Banners |
Bolivian Banners |
Several Christians from Nigeria, Africa were confused with the stance taken by the ICEJ and wanted to know how the ICEJ could claim to be the 'Christian' Embassy and tell them not to act like Christians. They were under the impression that Christians were commanded by Christ to openly share their faith with every person on earth, including Jewish people in Israel.
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Ivory Coast Banner |
Papua New Guinea Banner |
The local Christian community here in Jerusalem realizes the need for active evangelism among the Jewish people and many participate in sharing their faith and distributing gospel literature. A local Israeli pastor indicated that the Christian Embassy places an emphasis only on Christian living and seeks to keep a low profile due to political motivations and ease of remaining a legitimate organization in the eyes of the Israeli government. He stated that Israeli Christians were legally allowed to share their faith or distribute gospel literature but that the Orthodox community generally reacts violently to this type of activity.
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British Banners |
American Banners |
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Canadian Banners |
Finnish Banners |
Parade participants were allowed to distribute Bible verses from the Jewish scriptures but were told not to distribute gospel literature or display any Christian symbols. Three men carrying a large cross were escorted by the police out of the parade procession. Many banners showed Messianic themes such as lions and menorahs, yet no direct reference to Jesus was permitted.
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Parade Banners |
Lion Banner |
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Swedish Banners |
Ladies with Fans |
The ICEJ maintains that they are not a missionary organization and have demonstrated this week by their own actions and statements that they have no intention of sharing their faith with the Jewish community. The Rabbis fears are unfounded because the Christian Embassy poses no threat to their souls.