Following reports, volunteers waited for a person who allegedly distributed missionary material to children • When he arrived at the scene, police were called • This is the first time in a decade that such an arrest has been made.
The arrest of the missionary suspect
Photography:
Hand organization for brothers
A man who today (Tuesday) approached a 6-year-old boy in Ashdod and gave him mission material, was arrested by the police and detained for questioning, Israel Today has learned.
The Yad Laachim organization, which called the police, notes that despite the law prohibiting minors from converting to their religion, this is an exceptional case and the arrest of a person suspected of missionary action, for the first time in more than a decade.
About a month ago, Yad Laachim received inquiries about a man walking around the city of Ashdod and trying to distribute Christian mission materials to passers-by, especially children.
The organization, which has struggled with Christian cult activity around the country, decided to send teams of volunteers to places where it is seen.
Today, the man was seen in the 6th district of the city, turning to a 6-year-old boy and handing him material for preaching conversion.
It should be noted that such an action is a violation of section 368A of the Penal Code, which stipulates that "the persuader is a minor, in direct appeal to him, to convert to his religion, is liable to imprisonment for six months."
Their volunteers reported the incident, rushed to the area and after recognizing that the store nearby had a security camera, they contacted the store owner and asked to view the photos.
After answering in the affirmative they clearly saw how that person approached the child and provided him with mission materials.
After a few minutes, he was found again nearby and police officers were called to the area, who detained him for questioning.
The boy's father even testified at the local station where the suspect was detained.
The organization notes that police action is a rare occurrence since complaints that are filed on the issue, including evidence, are usually not handled and the law on the issue is not enforced.
"We hope that this case, unlike dozens of other cases, will end in an indictment against the missionary and his incarceration as required by law," the organization said, adding that "unfortunately The funds, in which MK Lapid also pointed to the denial of the tax benefit from Christian missionary sects - so far the police have closed all cases on the pretext of 'lack of public interest'. "
The Israeli police did not respond to the allegations, but police sources say that this is a complex law and that there is a distinction between solicitation for conversion and the distribution of information materials.
