The Evangelical Christian community in Israel is abuzz this week after learning that a well liked and widely respected Christian couple who have been living in the Land for 20 years have been told to leave.
Ron and Carol Cantrell spent years working at the Christian humanitarian outreach Bridges for Peace and operated their own ministry, Shalom Shalom Jerusalem, with the aim of educating the Christian world regarding Israel’s central importance in God’s plan of global redemption.
Two of the Cantrell children are today married to Israelis and will be remaining here, which explains Ron and Carol’s decision to not fight the Ministry of Interior ruling and possibly be blacklisted from ever entering the country even to visit future grandchildren.
The news was most troubling to many of us Christian Zionists here in Israel because the Cantrells had given up a far more comfortable life in America in order to serve the Lord in Israel and defend the Jewish state, and that at a time when a record number of Israelis are themselves trying to move to the US.
Not only that, Ron was actually in a suicide bomb attack in 2003 in downtown Jerusalem. He was unhurt outside of a few scratches, but was a direct witness to the gruesome slaughter of 17 people and the maiming of another 70. Despite experiencing the dire security situation first hand, Ron and Carol’s determination to remain planted in Israel only grew stronger.
These are the very kind of people Isaiah (14:1) speaks of:
The Lord will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Aliens will join them and unite with the house of Jacob.
And that is why I believe they are being targeted, and why others will also be forced to leave, barring the Lord’s intervention.
It is easy to criticize the Israeli government for kicking out sincere people dedicated to this nation at a time when many Israelis themselves just want to leave, and that criticism is justified. However, there is a spiritual element here.
It is telling that die-hard Christian Zionists who are recognized by many Israelis as the only truly dedicated allies they have in the world are being targeted for deportation, when groups such as the Scientologists and other New Age movements are actively brainwashing Israeli children with messages that run absolutely contrary to God’s Word and Judaism.
The enemy wants the allies God Himself has provided for Israel out, while groups teaching alternative “truths” are allowed to prosper. The true enemy here is the Enemy, not the Israeli authorities. Pray that the Israelis will begin to have their eyes opened to this deception sooner rather than later.
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16 comments so far ↓
1 Michael // Aug 21, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Ryan,
I am curious about one thing and you being in Israel, probably have a better “on the ground” assessment. I noticed in the articles I read yesterday, and here today, Cantrell and his wife were once members of Bridges For Peace. Being that it was labled an “Evangelical” Christian organizaton:
An ordained pastor, Cantrell served as an international board member with Bridges for Peace, a Jerusalem-based evangelical Christian organization.
Could it be the combination of what is perceived to be both a Zionist and Evangelical be theissue, not just the Zionist aspect?
I am just curious if the media is labeling it due to Zionist activity, when in fact, the root reason may be their association with a proseletyzing evangelical group and if they have already been “tagged” regardless of what they do.
It seems certain media have begun using the euphemism of Zionism to mask the real reason some like Cantrell are being targeted.
Do you see this occurring more now then in the past?
YBIC,
Michael
2 Ryan // Aug 21, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I didn’t get into that part in my commentary, as it was in the articles I linked to, but the reason given to the Cantrells for their eviction was “suspected missionary activity.”
Bridges has been attacked my some religious elements in Israel as being a “missionary” front, but the authorities recognize it for what it is - a Christian Zionist humanitarian outreach trying to heal centuries of bad blood between Christians and Jews.
The Cantrells’ personal ministry was along the same lines, so it is difficult to determine what the Israeli government considered to be missionary activity on their part.
The truth is that there is probably nothing. We have a new interior minister here and he is determined to prevent the entry of anyone not Jewish according to Jewish Law, and to get rid of as many as possible of those already in the country that do not meet that criteria. He hasn’t come out publicly against the Christian Zionists, but I am sure we are on his radar.
3 Michael // Aug 21, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Thanks for the input. I had not heard, as it really does not reach the media, what Meir Sheetrit’s policies are.
Knowing he has served twice as Justice Minister, it might be interesting to watch how he implements immigration laws.
YBIC,
Michael
4 Ryan // Aug 21, 2007 at 7:22 pm
I’m hoping and praying the Olmert government falls before he gets a chance to do too much damage.
5 Michael // Aug 21, 2007 at 7:24 pm
For those who may be curious, here is the basic Law of Return Sheetrit is rsponsible for upholding;
The Law of Return 5710 (1950)*
Right of aliyah** 1. Every Jew has the right to come to this country as an oleh**.
Oleh’s visa 2. (a) Aliyah shall be by oleh’s visa.
(b) An oleh’s visa shall be granted to every Jew who has expressed his desire to settle in Israel, unless the Minister of Immigration is satisfied that the applicant
(1) is engaged in an activity directed against the Jewish people; or
(2) is likely to endanger public health or the security of the State.
Oleh’s certificate 3. (a) A Jew who has come to Israel and subsequent to his arrival has expressed his desire to settle in Israel may, while still in Israel, receive an oleh’s certificate.
(b) The restrictions specified in section 2(b) shall apply also to the grant of an oleh’s certificate, but a person shall not be regarded as endangering public health on account of an illness contracted after his arrival in Israel.
Residents and persons born in this country 4. Every Jew who has immigrated into this country before the coming into force of this Law, and every Jew who was born in this country, whether before or after the coming into force of this Law, shall be deemed to be a person who has come to this country as an oleh under this Law.
Implementation and regulations 5. The Minister of Immigration is charged with the implementation of this Law and may make regulations as to any matter relating to such implementation and also as to the grant of oleh’s visas and oleh’s certificates to minors up to the age of 18 years.
LINK: http://www.knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/return.htm
To Judiciary branch of the Knesset with all current Amendments. Interesting stuff.
YBIC,
Michael
6 Ryan // Aug 21, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Yes, Sheetrit is really blurring some of the lines in those laws in his treatment of other groups, like the Ethiopian Falash Mura who want to immigrate to Israel.
Unfortunately for us non-Jews here, we are in a more precarious situation, as this law does not apply to us at all. Our status in the country is at the sole discretion of the individuals running the interior ministry. A clerk having a bad day can cause one of us to be kicked out.
The Cantrells, not being Jewish, fall under this category. My guess is that Sheetrit or whoever under him made the decision was trying to make an example of the Cantrells, who dared to ask for a permanent residency visa after having lived in the Land and served this nation tirelessly for 20 years.
7 Michael // Aug 21, 2007 at 7:46 pm
So basically you too, could find yourself in the same situation without so much as an explanation.
In a way, I can understand not wanting emmigration of more outside peoples who may have affiliations that would be threatening to Israel. Particularly with the threatened resurgence of inside Isreal terrorist attacks, which thankfully, have not yet occurred.
YBIC,
Michael
8 Ryan // Aug 21, 2007 at 7:56 pm
It is true that Israel needs to be careful who it lets in. Swinging the door wide open to us Christian Zionists would obligate the state to do the same for less friendly elements that want to harm Israel.
However, I wish there was a bit more judiciousness in these decisions. The Cantrells have proven themselves an asset to this nation, and Ron was even wounded (very minor) in a suicide bombing. He has shared in Israel’s physical suffering.
These are the kind of people Israel should be wanting to let in, the kind of people who are trying to bolster the state, even as thousands of Israelis try to make their way to the US.
As for me, I am relatively safe, as my wife and children are permanent residents (which is almost a citizen, but without an Israeli passport and the right to vote in national elections).
9 Michael // Aug 21, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Hang in there. You may not have much longer to even consider it.
10 Isaiah53 // Aug 21, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Several Years ago, I made the attempt to become an Israeli Citizen, I submitted my documents to the Israeli embassy inm Atlanta.
First I got silence and then the old “Run Around” when I finally got an answer as to why, it was that I was not a “practising Jew” I pressed for more and I was finally told that it was because I was a Christian and as such I was not welcome to Citizenship.
Waiting for Jezreel!
11 Smooth // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:59 am
I’m sorry to read about this. I did not know about the Cantrells’ plight and was made aware of it by a comment a reader had left on my site. If it is of any consolation, I am grateful to Christians who defend Israel. I have for years tried to teach readers who frequent my site that Christians are the best friends that Israel has and I try to reiterate that it was Christians who voted to legitimize the nation of Israel. Again, I’m sorry to read this; it does seem to be a draconian policy and sadly, Israel must preserve its Jewish character or else it will become Muslim. However, to evict Christians who have helped Israel for the past 20 years is wrong. But then again, Israel is evicting its own citizens from their own neighborhoods in order to appease the Muslims, so we shouldn’t be too surprised.
If I can be of any further help, please contact me at my website.
12 Marsha Carol Watson // Aug 22, 2007 at 6:31 am
Heavenly Father, we lift up our eyes unto the hills from whence cometh our help….You are Ron and Carol Cantrell’s help, just as you are ours. Father, You raise up leaders….and You take them down.
You, Father, know the Cantrell’s years of dedication and service to Israel. Please, I pray, intervene on the Cantrell’s behalf, so they won’t have to leave Israel when they are so needed.
You are all powerful. You can move the hearts of all who want to take part in pushing this couple out of Your Land of Israel. If you called them and placed them there into Your service, and I believe that You did…..I ask You to show Yourself strong on the Cantrell’s behalf.
Father, if the Season that you have called them to live and do Your work in Israel is over, Help them and all of us to know and understand this, and Bless them and their children in a mighty way. Lift them, and give them Your favor in such a way that all who know them will be uplifted and encouraged at Your mighty works on the Cantrell’s behalf. In Jesus name I pray. amen and amen
13 angel // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:47 pm
please to take a look at freemasons in israel
freemasons who look to cause chaos in order to serve their purpose
freemsons who look at universalism the believe that all religions are equal and all gods are equal including all religious books are equal.
this is the most dangerous and secretive organization in israel
I believe it is they who are affecting the deportation of the cantrells
and others who are truly the friends of israel. Many government officials in israel are freemasons be wary of such persons.
sincerely
angel
14 Scott Albers // Nov 22, 2007 at 12:07 am
I have been stunned for years that the Christian Zionist movement is so willing to put up with Israeli behavior which would not pass muster under the American Constitution let alone Jesus’ own statements (”love them that hate you”). Israel’s refusal to permit missionary work among Israelis is a slap in the face, not only of the Christian Zionist movement, but also of every American who pays Israel’s bills and who yet understands that there must be a separation between Church and State if anything like a working democracy can function.
No wonder Israel is so hated in the modern world. The basic rights enshrined in the American Bill of Rights have applicability in Israel only for “Jews.” For these people the unalterable premise of Jew-ishness is the rejection of Jesus, pure and simple.
This eviction of Christian missionaries from Israel is simply the most recent chapter in a determined, widespread and policitally required rejection of Jesus among Jews. From there, the money and influence which this group is able to wield will be used to make the rejection of Jesus politically required amongst all people.
There is sure to be much, much more to come. Christians soldiers are already defending Israeli interests in Iraq, largely at the demand of Jewish and Christian Zionists. Next Israel will want us to attack Iran. Next, Israel will want us to use nuclear weapons - our nuclear weapons - to defend it from the consequences of its own rejection of Jesus. The destruction of millions of people in the Middle East might easily come upon American hands, rather than Jewish or Israeli hands, because the Christian Zionist movement so commands it. Enough innocent blood to make the Holocaust appear minor. And you find this from the Gospels of Jesus?!
It seems to me that you have allowed Christ’s command to act as missionaries and to love all people - including the people of Islam - to be compromised. You have accepted an Israel which officially rejects Jesus as a matter of ethnic survival.
Why is this eviction therefore so surprising? You have reaped - and you are forcing all Americans to reap - what you are so determined to sow. It seems obvious to me that you have fallen in love with your easy access to Caesar (G. W. Bush), and you have forgotten the dictates of Jesus to be true to each other and to worship an almighty Father who loves all people.
15 Tony // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:04 am
Well maybe some Zionist Muslims will replace those Christians.
16 Marylin // Feb 7, 2008 at 7:44 pm
scott albers,
you are welcome to go kiss and hug your arab friends, just be careful dont turn your back on them, or else who knows what might happen..
as an Israeli Zionist Jew, i tell you this, no matter who you are… a Jew, muslim, Christian… if you support Israel- i support you
if you wish bad onto Israel, consider you have just gained an enemy, myself,
the same would go if some exceptional minority of Jews turned their backs on their people and land, they would too become my enemy, regardless of who they are, for in stance in a sense i consider the liberals in Israel an enemy because they are planting dangerous ideas that could lead Israel to its destruction…
so you can go ahead be one of these smart people, “see no evil”, one day it will come back to bite you in the ass…
if Israel is fighting these arab terrorists, they are not only doing good for themselves, they are helping the whole world…
arabs struck your twin towers on 9/11, and than made you feel guilty about it, as though you deserved it for aiding Israel…
they are very calculating people, and it is their strategy to make you feel guilty… and by the looks of you scott, their strategy seems to be working,
it is true that arabs hate Jews like no one else… it is true
but that doesnt erase the fact that they also hate America, maybe a little less than the Jews, but nontheless enough to fly planes into your buildings…
Israel rightfuly deserves international help to fight terrorism,
Scott, if you keep quite about the yearning of innocent people, if you keep indifferent and let these people perish, who is gonna be there, who will save you in your time of trouble, if you keep quite and let arabs destroy Israel, you risk yourself being cornered, who will you begg, when there is no one left to begg?
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