Mevaseret Zion condemns ‘criminal incitement’ after extremists deface bomb shelter donated by Israeli Evangelicals

Several individuals posted a warning sign on a bomb shelter in Mevaseret Zion, near Jerusalem, which was recently donated by Evangelicals in Israel. 

Underneath the warning sign, the individuals added a sticker that read, “Jews, revenge!” alongside a picture of Meir Kahane, an ultra-nationalist Orthodox rabbi who advocated removing all non-Jews or apostate Jews from Israel to create a pure Jewish society. 

The shelter was donated by Doron and Shelly Schneider, along with the support from the Evangelical community in Israel, and was just installed in Mevaseret last week. The shelter had a plaque that contained the names of the Schneiders and said that the bomb shelter had been donated for use by those in the community without shelters in their homes. 

That plaque was removed, and in its place a sign was posted which read, “Warning! This shelter was donated by Christians; may their names be erased. Therefore, whoever can, should refrain from using it.” 

The Mevaseret Zion Council filed a complaint with the police regarding the damage to public property and the placement of a sign calling on residents not to enter the shelter, despite the ongoing threat of missiles due to the war with Iran. 

Council Chairman Yoram Shimon condemned the act of vandalism and disrespect. 

“We will not remain silent in the face of the criminal incitement by benighted and ignorant individuals who dared to call on residents not to enter their shelters during missile attacks,” Shimon said in a statement released to the community. “The council has filed an official complaint with the police against those criminals who damaged property and against those who, in the name of ignorance and hatred, abandon the lives of their neighbors and endanger public safety.” 

In his statement, Shimon also praised the Evangelical community worldwide for its support for Israel. 

“The council strongly condemns and denounces the tearing down of the plaque honoring Doron and Shelly Schneider and the evangelical community that donated a new bomb shelter last week, which was installed in the community,” the statement read. 

“This act crosses a red line of vandalism and hooliganism that has no place in our community. We state unequivocally: the council will restore the plaque to its rightful place immediately and with pride,” Shimon continued. 

“In their vile actions, these elements are attempting to harm the historic and strategic alliance between the people of Israel, the United States, and the Christian community worldwide,” he stated. “This is a true alliance that serves as a critical pillar for the security of our state – especially in these days of war – and any attempt to sabotage it is a direct attack on the national interest of us all.” 

“We cherish and embrace the Schneider family and all the donors from the evangelical community who opened their hearts for the safety of our residents,” Shimon continued, saying, “The council appreciates and respects every donor, regardless of religion, origin, or worldview, and thanks them for the life-saving assistance they provided to families in the community who do not have a protected room (called a mamad in Hebrew) in their homes.” 

The defacing of the bomb shelter appears to be the act of an extreme group, of which there are several among the religious Zionist community, which follow the teachings of Rabbi Meir Kahane, and advocate the removal of all non-Jews from Israel. 

Kahane wrote several works attacking Christians as idolaters and argued that even Jews who become followers of Yeshua should be treated as non-Jews. 

Kahane founded a political party called Kach, which was later outlawed in Israel for its extreme views. Originally from the United States, Kahane was arrested several times for acts of incitement and terror in both the U.S. and Israel. He was assassinated in 1990 in the U.S.