Knesset Members are furious after finding in their mail boxes what many called missionary propaganda promoting the New Testament.
Members from all parties in the Knesset were shocked to see a Christian book that tries to link the Christian New Testament with the Jewish Bible.
The “Bible Society in Israel,” based in Tel Aviv with a branch in Jerusalem, included a letter to MKs stating, “We are happy to grant you his book of the testaments that casts light on holy writing and helps you understand…to see the ink between Biblical writings and the New Testament.
“In your important positions of serving the people, we hope and pray this book can help you.”
Bible Society director Victor Kalisher claimed to Arutz Sheva that the material is not missionary, although the Bible Society’s website has a special tab on “Messianic Judaism.”
His claim that the material to the Knesset Members was not missionary could be interpreted by some as exactly the opposite. "Every enlightened person, and I also hope MKs, will give this book to non-orthodox people…. The objective of our organization is to investigate and spread the scriptures and offer ways for the advancement of holy writings….
"There is no intention to hurt the feelings of Jews, and this is a Jewish book written by Jews and for Jews to learn a better Judaism, which is learned through the New Testament."
Arutz Sheva has learned that many MKs are furious, among them Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely, who said she has asked Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin to put a stop to the dissemination of what she said is outright missionary material in the Knesset.