With a brief announcement, as reported by Allison Sommer Kaplan in Haaretz, the Jewish Agency announced "...it was breaking ties with Return Ministries (at Bikat Kinarot) because the group had made 'flagrantly false representations' regarding its involvement with immigrants." https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-jewish-agency-expels-christian-group-from-galilee-campus-over-proselytizing-scandal-1.9442076
After publishing the original of this Post, several FOBs sent me the letter sent by the JA CEO to the JAFI Board. I am not republishing it here because it was written poorly as to be an embarrassment. Trust me.
So, what began almost 5 years ago with a contract between JAFI and this messianic Christian ministry has apparently been terminated. A good result leaving a host of unanswered questions. To those questions framed on these pages in two prior Posts, I will merely add one more: When will the Jewish Agency issue a formal apology to Beyneynu for the Agency's threats and vituperation.
Actually, a thank you would suffice.
Rwexler
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6 comments:
Those of you bashing the Jewish Agency for accepting Christian, Evangelical and missionary contributions, do not leave the JDC out for accepting millions and millions over the years.
You and your readers may be unaware that the Jewish Agency's transmittal of its claimed termination of the Return Ministries contract contained the following subject line: "Response to Allegations of Cooperation with Missionaries." And, by so characterizing the proved claims of all those who examined the Ministries/Jewish Agency relationship as mere "Allegations," the Agency sought to reject reality and fact. Further shame on them.
In the event your readers wish to read the Jewish Agency CEO's letter you referenced, here it is. (Calling special attention to the second paragraph and looking for an interpreter):
"As you know, The Jewish Agency for Israel has recently come under undue attack for alleged cooperation with missionaries. Let me be clear: The Jewish Agency for Israel will not allow any proselytizing attempts, under any circumstances, in any form, of the Jewish people or any people in our care.
Allegations have been raised regarding a contractual relationship The Jewish Agency has with Return Ministries, a Christian Zionist organization. Return Ministries, through its Israel activity at their Aliyah Return Center, was found to have inaccurately portrayed our relationship with them at our Bikat Kinarot campus. They erroneously took credit in their media posts for involvement in areas such as Aliyah, specifically with proselytizing lone soldiers and new olim. We executed an examination of these flagrantly false representations during December 2020 and our leadership took swift and firm action, issuing Return Ministries a cease and desist letter, notifying them of the immediate termination of the partnership agreement in its current form. Return Ministries admitted this violation of our agreement.
The Jewish Agency then demanded Return Ministries remove all presence of Aliyah Return Center activity and employees at the Bikat Kinarot campus.
Our examination showed no evidence of any direct missionary activity. Yet the videos posted by Aliyah Return Center create a perception that is in direct opposition to the mission and values of The Jewish Agency for Israel and has unfairly entangled the organization’s work and reputation.
The Jewish Agency for Israel works with many partners, all over the world, including Christian friends of Israel – staunch supporters of Israel and the Jewish people. We greatly value our friendships and relationships with devoted Christian Zionists who love and support Israel and that is the cause that brings us together, but in no way can these partnerships compromise our core values.
"Our examination showed no evidence of any direct missionary activity."
Of course not.
In all of these "cooerative ventures" there never is any direct missionary activity because they know it will not be tolerated. The tactics of these Evangelical organizations in supporting JAFI are always subtle and indirect by definition (see previous blog posts and comments).
And today we read about a Diaspora Ministry plan for the JAFI co-owned the Shalom Corps to distribute vaccines to Holocaust survivors -- who are all certainly eligible already, through mandated supply chains, given their age. How was JAFI leadership so "surprised" by this announcement by Yankelovich? Perhaps they are too consumed managing damage control with one controversy to prevent another?
MOST CONCERNING EXCERPTS -
JAFI TO HAARETZ:
"The decision to break with Return Ministries was not because the group was conducting missionary work, but because it represented itself as doing so"
?!?!?!?!
JAFI LETTER FROM CEO:
"They erroneously took credit in their media posts for involvement in areas such as Aliyah, specifically with proselytizing lone soldiers and new olim.
"Return Ministries admitted this violation of our agreement."
RETURN MINISTRIES RESPONSE TO THE ALLEGATIONS ON THEIR WEBSITE:
"Return Ministries is not a proselytizing missionary institution"... "We are a Bible-believing, Christ-centered, prophecy-fulfilling ministry built on the foundation of love"
"Our focus is on assisting Christians to return to their biblical, Hebraic roots so as to fulfill God-ordained destiny, ALL IN PREPERATION FOR THE RETURN OF THE JEWISH MESSIAH"
Although Jewish Agency didn't name Beyneynu in their official written response, they have supplied each media contact with viscous attacks, claiming "false" and "doctored videos". Unbelievable.
I too would like to see an apology and a thank you issued to Beyneynu.
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