In most cases the people hurt are Israelis, country citizens for all matters: they perform military service; educate their children on their country’s values and Zionism and send them to regular schools; celebrate the nation's holidays and observe its commemorative dates, work for a living, usually in free professions, and pay taxes. They love the country,
swear to their loyalty and devotion, become emotional with the raising of the flag and the singing of the anthem, and still feel like a persecuted minority.
About 20 communities of Messianic Jews are active around the country, and the number of their members is estimated at several thousands. They believe in G_d and consider themselves as Jews, refer to the Bible and the New Testament as their holy scriptures, are convinced that Jesus is the messiah and don't understand how it's any of the country authorities' business.
Haaretz, a prominent Israeli newspaper, recently posted an article about the plight of Messianic Jews in Israel, and their persecution by anti-missionary Shamer groups like Yad L’Achim.
The Jerusalem Institute for Justice has posted an English translation of the article (PDF).
Here’s a snippet from the article:
Barbara Ludwig, a 33 year old Jewish student at a Hebrew university, was on the verge of being deported from the country, after her student visa was refused. In the hearing conducted about a year ago in the Court for Illegal Aliens, before her deportation, she was asked about her lifestyle and beliefs:
The court: I want to know once and for all – what is the religion of truth, Judaism or Christianity?
Ludwig: in my opinion the truth is G_d, and not Judaism or Christianity.
The court: is Christianity idolatry?
Ludwig: there are elements of idolatry in Christianity.
The court: and who are you in this story – a Jew, a Christian, or something in between?
Ludwig: in my eyes I am a Jew. I live as a Jew and handle the responsibility involved in it.
The court: what is the weekly Torah portion?
Ludwig: since we're past Passover, it's either "Ahrey Mot" or "Kedoshim". But what does that have to do with my student visa?
Hat tip to Rosh Pina.