ACOHL condemns destroying of the New Testament

On July 17, 2012, Member of Knesset Michael Ben Ari from the National Union Party publicly ripped up a copy of the New Testament. He stated: “This abhorrent book promoted the murders of millions of Jews during the Inquisition and the autos da fé… this is an ugly missionary provocation by the Church, there’s no doubt that the book and its senders belong in the trash of history”. His act was a response to the sending of copies of a new edition of the New Testament in Hebrew to all the members of Knesset by the Bible Society. Ben Ari’s act was condemned by many civil, political and religious authorities.

The ACOHL statement reads as follows:

“The ACOHL is shocked and condemns this disrespectful act committed against Christians, who are thus shown contempt because of their faith.

The ACOHL condemns this act of ripping up and condemns the outrageous comments of Member of Knesset Michael Ben Ari.

The ACOHL also finds fault with the Israeli Bible Society’s methods. It is not appropriate to send the New Testament by mail, both out of respect for the Word of God, and out of respect for those who do not share the Christian faith.

Interreligious dialogue will only bear fruit by means of words and gestures of mutual respect."