As we read the accounts of Yeshua and His disciples in early church history, it seems like a far away period of time when believers were persecuted, reviled and falsely accused even unto death. But two thousand years later, in the very same Land, some of those things are happening a- gain. The Messianic movement has recently been the target of attacks by religious Jews in Arad, a small laidback town in the Negev (the southern, less populated part of Israel).

On Friday, June 17 the persecution escalated to a new level as 300 to 400 ultra-Orthodox Israelis aggressively and violently demonstrated against 15 to 20 Messianic believers who were gathered for a Friday night meal and fellowship as part of an outreach program to reach the unsaved through a local social club. The Orthodox religious found out about these friendly evenings about four weeks ago, and they organized bus loads of their friends from other parts of the country to come and join them in their assault against the believers.

The demonstration, which was ‘covered’ by only 4 or 5 policemen, soon turned into a riot, with hundreds of religious people shouting, cursing, threatening and defiling their mouth against the believers and against Yeshua. Our brothers and sisters were praising God and praying for those opposing them, relying on Him for strength and protection.

The next few days became more violent as an ultra-Orthodox man was spat upon by a secular Israeli who had taken the side of the believers. The religious man went absolutely wild with his hatred and anger, and he walked into the club, turned tables over, and threw books, coffee, and everything else on the floor. Instead of preventing these wild demonstrations and toning down the manifestation of hatred, the Friday night gatherings have been prohibited until further notice. “The ultra-Orthodox continue to harass individual believers at their homes at all hours, especially Jewish believers married to gentiles, calling them “dirty Jews” and shouting that they should divorce their Christian and unclean mates. They follow the believers as they shop for groceries, shouting out loudly, ‘Notzrim —hachutza! (Christians—get out!).’

We realize that what is happening in Arad is a wake-up call for all of us to be ready, for riots can break out at any time, anywhere the Gospel is being proclaimed for our Jewish people’s salvation. Please join us in prayer for these religious people who claim to hold the truth in their hand, but are so far from it. Pray that God will open their eyes and change their heart, especially those who hate us so much at this time. Pray also for the believers in Arad...