The deceptive actions of missionaries should not lead us to to spurn the friendship of others

READING THE recent JC story that exposed the Orthodx Elkohen family as Christian missionaries, it is hard to know where to begin. Amanda Elkohen’s confession that she’d grown up on a Christmas tree farm reminded me of the film Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, in which a boy tries to convince another that a deal is above board with the line: “It’s as kosher as Christmas.”

But I don’t mean to make light of a very serious situation. Countless people now have to re-evaluate their lives and identities. And the fall out threatens to damage the relationship between Jewish and Christian communities.

For much of history, the best that Jews could hope for was indifference. Any more interest than that did not normally end well. Living in a more secular, pluralistic, tolerant society means that this is now not a concern. But when I started working within our community, there was very little relationship between the two faiths.

When I left university, after being given the choice of becoming an accountant or lawyer by my parents, I started to train as an accountant (which at the time was almost like working for the Jewish community). But suddenly, my career path and my Israeli world accidentally collided and I found myself being offered the role of CEO by the Zionist Federation.

At the time, I was aware of some pro-Israel sentiment within the Christian community. But I was shocked when I found out how strong it was – and that not one of the major Jewish bodies had any contact at all with any of these Christian organisations.

In retrospect, this seems so strange, especially in the field of Israel advocacy. We all know that at times of crisis in Israel, such as the terrible current situation, many of us want to stand up for Israel. But we are a tiny community. To amplify our voices and provide a counterweight to the opinions and accusations that seem ubiquitous when Israel is at war, we clearly need allies.

So I tried hard to develop relationships with pro-Israel Christians. First with Geoffrey Smith and later with Jacob Vince, Michael Treharne and others who became lifelong friends. I was overwhelmed and gratified by their responses. It shouldn’t be news today that many in the Christian world love Israel but at the time it was — no pun intended — a revelation.

What motivation could they have for defending, often in the face of great hostility, our Jewish state? Was there not suspicion that this was just a ruse to lure me into conversion?

The reasons I discovered were many and varied. But most importantly, they were very genuine, and still are. First, there is a real sense of wishing to atone for Christian abuses in the past. Secondly, there is a theological connection, based on shared beliefs. Thirdly, there is the option to visit Israel and see their Bible history first-hand. And lastly, a recognition that Israel is the safest place in the Middle East for Christians to live.

The successful partnership which we began remains one of the highlights of my career. One example is how, with the late Eric Moonman, I implemented what is still a key date in the proIsrael calendar. Every year the ZF joins Christian Friends of Israel to run a Lobby Day for Israel, bringing hundreds into parliament to speak with their elected representatives. I also led many groups to Israel, often joined by Christian friends who make up 60 per cent of all Israel tourism.

It is such examples that show the true value of Christian Zionism. Not only is our community tiny but it is highly concentrated — less than ideal in our first-past-the-post electoral system. Our Christian friends are more numerous and live all over the UK. Their crucial involvement means that most MPs now hear from their constituents that support for Israel is not a fringe position that can easily be ignored.

When standing up for Israel was usually a lonely experience, it was important and strengthening to receive genuine support from such people and to hear them speak up for Israel with a voice quite different from ours.

Israel is a country that transitioned from a land of swamps and malaria to a land of hightech, in no small way due to the Technion which was established over 100 years ago in Haifa, Israel’s third largest city, which is 14 per cent Christian. Israel strives not merely to survive but to survive whilst acting morally, against enemies who exploit that morality to an often gullible international community and press.

So as the Middle East sadly dominates the headlines again, I want to reassure you that if Christians wish to stand up for Israel, they are most likely doing so for the best of intentions. Their passion really is kosher.