Bibi Hails Tripling of Christian Enlistment to IDF in 2013

August 6, 2013

3 min read

Father Nadaf

“And David said to Saul: ‘Let no man’s heart fail within him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:32)

Father Nadaf
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) meets with Greek Orthodox priest Father Gabriel Nadaf in Jerusalem, on August 5, 2013. The Jerusalem Patriarchate threatens to sack Father Nadaf and deprive him of his livelihood following his open activism on behalf of integration by Arab Christians, or Arab-speaking Christian Israelis, into Israel’s mainstream. (Photo: Moshe Milner GPO / Flash90)

At a meeting Monday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Orthodox priest Father Gabriel Nadaf, the PM praised the priest, and the Christian Zionist community in Israel in general for the tripling of IDF enlistment as well as a huge number of active participants in National Service over the past year.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, there has been a significant increase in the number of Christian enlistees in the IDF, from 35 a year ago to approximately 100 this year, with another 500 young people from the community doing national service.

Father Nadaf has been a lightening-rod for controversy as of late due to his outspoken encouragement for Arab Christians to enlist in the IDF. According to the Jerusalem Post, Nadaf, who is openly active on behalf of the integration of Arab Christians into Israel’s mainstream and is the spiritual leader of a forum for the enlistment of Christian youth in the IDF, has been excommunicated by the Orthodox Church Council, subjected to death threats and the target of verbal attacks from Arab MKs. The Jerusalem Patriarchate is also coming under pressure from various quarters to sack the Nazareth resident.

On Monday, Bibi ensured him that Israel will not tolerate threats against people advocating greater integration into Israeli society, the JPost report added. “The Christian youth must be allowed to go into the IDF,” Netanyahu said. “You are loyal citizens who want to defend the country, and I salute and support you. We will not tolerate threats on you and will work to firmly implement the law against those persecuting you. We will not allow the country to be torn apart from within. The State of Israel and the prime minister stand with you.”

Nadaf said during the meeting that he would not be deterred.

“Our goal is to guard the Holy Land and the State of Israel,” he said. “We have broken the barrier of fear – the state deserves that we do our part in defending it. Those who oppose the integration of the Christian community in the institutions of state do not walk in the path of Christianity.”

Netanyahu announced that there will be a forum created, made up of leaders of both communities, to promote IDF enlistment and National Service among Arab Christians as well as aiming to aid full integration into Israeli life.

The Post reported that among the purposes of the forum will be to “protect those who support enlistment and enlistees from violence and threats, and step up law enforcement against those who disturb the peace and incite to violence.”

Nadaf was accompanied at the meeting by Lt. (res.) Shadi Khaloul, head of the forum for the enlistment of Christian youth in the IDF, and Naji Abid, the leader of the Orthodox council in Yafia.

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