Christian Soldier: I Defend Israel, I Have No Other Home

Sunday, March 01, 2015 |  Ryan Jones  ISRAEL TODAY

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News has been swirling that ISIS is again on the rampage against Christians in Iraq and Syria.

Reports indicate that no fewer than 35 Assyrian Christian villages have been targeted in northeastern Syria in recent weeks. Most of these villages are now empty of inhabitants. The lucky ones fled, but dozens and perhaps hundreds have been abducted by ISIS and await a grizzly fate.

Those monitoring Arab media reported last week that at least 15 of the Assyrian Christians taken by ISIS have already been publicly beheaded because they had dared to take up arms in defense of their homes.

In posting that story to Facebook, a young Israeli Christian named George said it was a harsh reminder of why he and so many young Israeli Christians like him willingly and happily volunteer to serve in the Israeli army.

“I will continue to defend and protect the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, the Holy Land,” wrote George. “I have no other country,” he added, echoing the Jewish cry for the Land of Israel.

George further noted how ludicrous it was for activists on campuses around the world to protest Israel as an “apartheid” state when he and other Arabic-speaking Christians are free to speak out and defend this nation, even as fellow Christians are butchered just for being Christians in a neighboring country.

The young Christian soldier’s words were posted to the Facebook page of the Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum, which encourages local Aramean Christian youth to serve in the IDF as a first step toward full integration with Israeli Jewish society.

PHOTO: Father Gabriel Naddaf, spiritual leader of the Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum, joins several young Arabic-speaking Aramean Christians as they are inducted into the Israel Defense Forces.

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Israeli Christian Spokesman: Enough With Western Hypocrisy!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 |  Israel Today Staff

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Yesterday, we reported on a demonstration by Israeli Christians in solidarity with their persecuted Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq, and in support of the Israeli army that is now combatting the same type of Muslim extremism in Gaza.

Following the demonstration, the spokesman for the Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum, which advocates young Christians join the IDF and which organized Sunday’s rally, made a powerful plea in an interview with Israel’s Channel One.

“We called this demonstration in response to the ethnic cleansing of Christians in Iraq,” said Shadi Khalloul. “35,000 Christians in Mosul fled a week ago after the Islamic State (formerly ISIS), which shares an ideology with Hamas, issued an ultimatum [against them].”

Khalloul said it is the very height of hypocrisy that the West, which sheds crocodile tears over the horrors faced by Christians in Iraq and Syria, then turns around and condemns Israel for defending its people against the very same horrors.

“It doesn’t matter if you call them Islamic State or Hamas or Hezbollah, it’s all the same,” he insisted. “Enough of the hypocrisy. Get involved where you can, whether that be Iraq or Syria or Lebanon. Intervene militarily and stop the criminal slaughter of Christians. …And get off Israel’s back for defending its citizens, which it does regardless of race or religion.”

Far from criticizing, Khalloul said that “everyone should be thanking the IDF for being the only one to fight this kind of murderous terror.”

Recently, Khalloul and the Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum’s spiritual leader, Father Gabriel Naddaf, have issued appeals in Hebrew for financial support to keep the movement afloat. These Christians are unable to receive funding via traditional sources as most churches abroad oppose their integration with Israel and the Jews.

Israel Today believes that the Forum’s appeal will not fall on barren ground among our readers, many of whom agree that the destiny of all Christians lies in brotherhood with Israel and the Jews.

If you would like to support the Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum, you can make donations using the following bank details:

Bank Hapoalim
Branch 733
Account number: 505864
Account holder: Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum (authorized non-profit number 580581551)

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A 'New Chapter of Hope Between Jews and Christians' in Israel

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 |  Ryan Jones  ISRAEL TODAY

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The Israeli defense establishment this week decided to begin actively recruiting local Christians into the Israeli army.

The move comes after years of encouragement by the Nazareth-based Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum for young Arabic-speaking Christians to voluntarily join the IDF so as to better integrate into Israeli society.

Israel Today has repeatedly reported on the activities of the forum, whose leaders have long insisted that local Christians can only expect equal opportunity when they decided to take on equal responsibility.

The forum has had great influence on a number of recent government decisions, most notably the passing of a law in February that officially recognized local Christians as an independent minority.

The decision to send official recruitment letters to young Christians is expected to significantly boost the number of Christian soldiers in the IDF. Though the recruitment letters will look the same as those sent to young Israeli Jews, service in the IDF will remain voluntary for Christians.

Israel Today sought out the reaction of the spokesman for the Israeli Christians Recruitment Forum, Maj. (ret.) Shadi Khalloul. This is what he had to say:

"The Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum welcomes this brave decision by the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff. Though the (recruitment) orders are voluntary, they demonstrate the seriousness and firm desire of the state to incorporate and promote the Christian population.

"This is a historic decision and the start of a new chapter, a chapter of hope between Jews and Christians in the State of Israel. It will allow young people from the Christian community to more seamlessly integrate into Israeli society and to more easily climb the ladder of progress in both military and civilian life.

"The Christian community is an important strategic asset for Israel and its security. Christians are one of the best educated communities in the country, meaning our young people can make a significant contribution both to the IDF and the state.

"We believe the IDF is a central component of Israeli society that can bring the various populations together so that in unity we can build a better future for everyone, while also ensuring the security of our community and the democratic Jewish state. [Army service] is an important step toward equal opportunity. [All must share] the rights and duties.

“The time has come for Christians to take it upon themselves to strengthen their position alongside the Jews. We see what is happening [to Christians] in the Arab countries. They lived the lie of unity [with the Muslims] and ignored the impending danger until it was too late. Conscription to the IDF is a small part of strengthening a community that seeks to live in peace and security with everyone. It seems that is the only way defend against the broad array of enemies.”

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