Ultra-Orthodox Jews protest re-opening of meeting center for Messianic believers in Israel

A group of ultra-Orthodox Jews protested the re-opening of a meeting center for Messianic believers in southern Israel and reportedly threatened some of the people in the building.

According to Middle East Concern, protests have been taking place outside the meeting center in Dimona, south Israel since it opened at the beginning of January.

The center, where Jewish followers of Jesus meet for conversation, coffee and tea, was temporarily shut down following violent protests from ultra-Orthodox Jews on May 4, 2017. The ultra-Orthodox Jews also went to the home of congregational leaders where the demonstrations turned violent, with protesters breaking the windows and traumatizing the children who live there.

Albert Knoester, an elder at a Messianic congregation in Beersheba, told Kehila News Israel that the meeting center has been described by some media outlets as a "Mission Post," where it was preached that "Jews had to convert to Christianity."

He explained that the center was not a mission post but a "place of meeting," adding that it was opened about half a year ago, but had to close down temporarily because of severe opposition.

Knoester said that there has been some positive reaction to the opening of the center, with some people inviting them to discuss their beliefs. However, it caused some negative reactions from some Jewish religious leaders, with some rabbis coming to their homes and interrogating them for hours.

"Also there were many made up stories in the various media the following days. We were accused of bribing people. We would give someone in Dimona a car to try to make him a Christian. We would put a powder in someone's coffee to change Jews into Christians. We coerce Jews to give up their faith by force. We spread evangelistic materials, etc. etc.," he explained.

Knoester said that he and his wife, Esther, eventually decided to temporarily shut down the "Open House," but they continued discussions with religious leaders on what place the center should have in the community.

Demonstrations took place in front of their home after the Knoesters participated in a Town Hall meeting. Several windows were reportedly smashed and one of the families in Dimona reportedly suffered from psychological trauma due to the protests.

Despite the opposition from some religious leaders, the Knoesters had been invited by some people to explain why they believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

Knoester said that they did not expect severe opposition as they had built up a good relationship with the community in Dimona. However, they said that they somewhat expected it, noting that "our Lord did not promise us a 'picnic' here on earth but he said: In this world you will suffer persecution, but be of good cheer, for I have conquered/ overcome the world."