A Messianic Jewish congregation leader whose son was almost killed by a bomb planted by an ultra-right wing Jew said he feels like the Israeli criminal justice system has abandoned him. Representatives of a Messianic Jewish community in the southern Israeli town of Arad said Monday, March 21, they face “increased persecution” by ultra-Orthodox Jews who accuse the believers of missionary activities and want them to leave Israel. A congregation of Messianic Jews in Israel who recently lost a lawsuit against an ultra-orthodox Jewish group that allegedly incited a riot against them has decided not to appeal their case, the church’s pastor has said. Israel is using an ultra-Orthodox group to crack down on Messianic Jews €” who believe that Jesus is the Messiah €” and prevent them from staying in the country, officials have told The Times. 
Messianic Jews believe in Jesus. But they still consider themselves as faithful to Judaism as anyone else. 
The burning of 200 New Testament bibles underscores growing tensions in the Jewish state between the mainstream religion and Christian Zionists. It was the latest in a string of incidents targeting Messianic Jews in Israel, a trend that has alarmed Christian Zionist organizations.