These few were showing solidarity with the Jewish people, a stance that all regenerated Christians should consider, especially in these latter days.
Tony McLellan (Swindon).
BELOW IS ANOTHER REPORT OF THE DAY:
British Christians take stand against national anti-Israel festival
By Amanda Ruth Thomas
Over a hundred Christians from different parts of the UK converged on the Cheltenham Racecourse Sunday, not to enter as guests of the Greenbelt Music Festival, but to show solidarity with the State of Israel.
Pastor Mike Fryer of Christians for Zion organised the demonstration, supported by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and Christian Friends of Israel.
“Many Christians during the Holocaust were classified as bystanders because of the real threat of being murdered alongside Jews,” the former police detective and Yad Vashem Holocaust Studies graduate wrote, in a rallying email. “So today why are many in the Christian community bystanders when there is no threat except that of words from those fuelled by anti-Semtism?”
The festival, which has its roots within a Christian tradition, has taken on an actively pro-Palestinian stance in the name of peace and justice. The political agenda is being solidified this year with the introduction of the Palestinian Kairos call and the hosting of Mark Braverman, who is known to equate Zionism with racism.
A request by the Jewish Community for Greenbelt to balance their content by having a pro-Israel speaker, was turned down, according to Pastor Fryer.
Sheffield-born Business Administrator Marie Reaney, expressed the sentiment of the 50-strong group from Mike’s own ‘Father’s House Sabbath Congregation’:
“If Israel is smashed up, we go down with her. We’re grafted in; we have no choice.”
Other supporters travelled independently, some making long journeys by car or by train.
“It’s exactly the same as it was in the 30s,” said Joanna MacDonald from the Rhondda Valley in South Wales. “For the most part, Christians were silent, and anti-Semitism is rearing its ugly head again.
“We are here to support Israel, to support the Lord of Israel, Yeshua Ha Mashiach, and to help to open the hearts of others who have been deceived.”
Greenbelt Creative Director, Paul Northup, did not accept the need for Greenbelt to host a pro-Israel speaker next year, at Pastor Fryer’s request. However he said he was “impressed” with the co-ordination of the pro-Israel group, and the way in which they carried out their demonstration.
During the course of the day the group, holding Israeli flags and home-made banners, prayed together, read out scriptural promises for Israel, and spoke to some of the Greenbelt delegates and organisers.
Ms Reaney was exasperated but undeterred after one conversation with someone who said he had grown up in a Palestinian refugee camp. “He asked me, ‘How can Israel be a democracy?’” she said. “’Well it’s not Israel’s fault,’ I told him. ‘It’s the fault of the Palestinian leadership!’ It’s like us [Brits] blaming Spain!”
Len Grates, Director of Development at the ICEJ-UK, addressed the Israel supporters:
“Although we are here to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, more importantly we are here to stand with God, for His name, nature and His word” he said. “It’s in your hands and my hands how God will decide to judge our nation.”
Steven Jaffe who is consultant to the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called Pastor Fryer to express the gratitude of many members of the Jewish community for the stand made against demonisation and bias against Israel at the festival. Steven echoed the sentiment of Mr Grates, saying:
“You are fighting for the soul of the Church.”
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