Ex-President and his wife of the US Union of Messianic Jewish Congregation were detained at Ben-Gurion Airport by the Interior Ministry officials due to allegations of his involvement of illegal Christian missionary activity. In Israel it is illegal to proselytize among minors and to engage in missionary activities among adults when incentives economically are involved.
Jamie Cowen, former president of the union and his wife, Stacy were detained for eight hours but after that they were allowed back into Israel after they agreed to sign a document that stated they would not engage in missionary activities during their stay. The purpose of the Cowen’s visit in Israel was to see their two daughters one being an Israeli citizen and the other is in the process of becoming a citizen. The Cowen’s believeth is that Jesus is the messiah even though they are Jews. Jamie said, “This type of religious discrimination would be expected of Iran, not Israel.” Jamie Cowen is a US immigration lawyer, went on to say, “In the US we imprison individuals suspected of terrorism. Here apparently one can be jailed for his religious convictions. This is a case of blatant discrimination against basic rights. It is a story of a bureaucracy run amok. Someone has to crack down and bring in people of integrity.” The police were directed by The Interior Ministry to arrest the Cowen’s stating they had classified information in regards to missionary activity. A ministry spokesman said, “The Immigration and Population Authority has reliable information that the Cowen’s were involved in missionary activity prohibited by Israeli criminal law during their last visit to Israel.” The incident is part of a much larger struggle for the right of Aliyah (immigration to Israel) among Jewish followers of Yeshua according to UMJC. This is the only group of Jews subject to a religious test of any kind to qualify for citizenship in the state of Israel-despite the undeniable record of good and productive citizenship among Messianic Jews in Israel. Current UMJC president, Howard Silverman, sent the following letter the day after the Cowen detention to the Ministry of the Interior: The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations deplores the detention of Jamie and Stacy Cowen upon their arrival in Israel. As president of the UMJC Jamie Cowen spearheaded humanitarian aid to Israel and participated in social causes for the betterment of the Jewish people. The UMJC continues to support these efforts and does not engage in any activity that is outside the bounds of Israeli law. We call upon the government of Israel to uphold the freedom of religion for all.
Howard R. Silverman, President
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations
| Published in : The News, Top Stories |
| Keywords : News, Top Stories, Messianic Jews Detained In Israel, Union of Messianic Jewish Congregation, Ben-Gurion Airport, Jamie Cowen, Messianic Jews, Howard Silverman, Israel, illegal Christian missionary activity |
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