- March 27, 2025
- 7:20 pm
- World News
Russian Orthodox Media in Uproar: “Israel Is Preparing to Legally Ban Christ”
A new wave of antisemitic hysteria erupted in Russian pro-Kremlin and so-called “Orthodox” media on March 26, 2025, following the submission of a bill by two Knesset members from the Yahadut HaTorah bloc aimed at tightening restrictions on “missionary activity in Israel.”
Instead of constructive legal criticism, Russian outlets and Telegram channels began promoting narratives about a “hunt for Jesus,” “persecution of Christianity,” and even “the coming of the Antichrist.”
At NAnews — News from Israel, we looked into the origins of this lie, who is behind it, and how it fits into the Kremlin’s broader campaign to discredit Israel.
As Russian Orthodox propaganda media explained to their audience:
“The bill criminalizes discussion or publication of content in support of Jesus via the Internet, printed media, and even by email.”
The Essence of the Bill: Banning Missionary Work, Not “Fighting Jesus”
Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Yaakov Asher from the Yahadut HaTorah bloc proposed changes to Israel’s long-standing law prohibiting missionary activity.
- Publishing or distributing materials that promote Jesus may carry a penalty of up to 1 year in prison.
- Missionary activity targeting minors — up to 2 years imprisonment.
Israel has had laws against active proselytism since 1977. Now, in light of increased missionary campaigns, ultra-Orthodox lawmakers seek to tighten these restrictions. However, the bill does NOT mention any ban on “the name of Jesus.”
These Lawmakers Are Mistaken
It’s important to note that Gafni and Asher are politicians serving a very narrow constituency. Their proposals reflect internal religious debates and do not represent Israel’s national policy. They could have been more reserved on such sensitive topics to avoid fueling external propaganda.
Yet, Russian media quote:
“Yahadut HaTorah” (“United Torah Judaism,” an alliance of the Degel HaTorah party — representing non-Hasidic ultra-Orthodox Jews known as Litvaks or Mitnagdim — and the Agudat Yisrael party — representing various Hasidic communities) is part of the ruling coalition under Benjamin Netanyahu. Both Gafni and Asher are well-known and influential politicians.”
Israel Respects All Religions
Despite sharp debates in the Knesset, Israel as a state guarantees the rights of all religious communities, including Christians and Muslims.
- Christian holy sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity are under state protection.
- Dozens of churches and monasteries operate freely in Jerusalem and Nazareth.
- Al-Aqsa Mosque remains under state protection, even during periods of unrest.
- Religious minorities are represented in the Israeli parliament.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East where the Christian population is growing, rather than declining.
How the Scandal Was Fabricated: From eurasiatoday-ru to “Katyusha”
The false story was first published by eurasiatoday-ru with the headline: “Israel is preparing to legally ban Christ.” Then others joined in:
zavtra-ru: “So, brothers and sisters… but against Christians — that’s allowed. This is different.”
Hieromonk Benedict: “A systemic attack on Christianity — from the US to Israel. Criminalizing the name of Jesus.”
Telegram channel “Countess☢️with a changed face”: “This was expected. And it will certainly happen. Israel, bulldozing children into the ground to build its cities, radicalizes and erases all moral laws. Christ, as an eternal rebuke, must be removed. Only Satanism, only the Antichrist remains.”
Israel Shamir (RT): “In Israel, Christ is persecuted. In Russia, there is spiritual awakening. In Israel — nothing.”
Konstantin Malofeev: “The goal is to build the Third Temple for the Antichrist. Russia is the last Restrainer.”
“Zavtra” compiled further quotes:
Quote: “It’s been nearly 2000 years since the Crucifixion, and nothing has changed. Attacks on the cross and Christianity are systemic — the de-Christianization of Europe, banning the Gospel in some US states, destruction of crosses in Russia, and now attempts to criminalize Jesus in Israel.”
Another: “Sadly, in Israel, Christ is persecuted. Christian faith is persecuted. Russia is now one of the few countries where Christianity is not. We must appreciate that. Israel is a place where such persecution always existed.”
And more: “This is another stage in the anti-Christian ‘Overton Window.’ The goal is the Third Temple, where — according to Christian and Muslim end-times prophecy — the Antichrist will rule. Those who seized Jerusalem await their ‘messiah’ who will rule the world. The war in Gaza is meant to provoke the destruction of Al-Aqsa. And only Russia — the Third Rome — remains the true Restrainer of evil.”
Who Is Behind the Propaganda: Pro-Kremlin and Anti-Ukrainian Media
All sources that spread this falsehood are pro-Kremlin media engaged in information warfare against Israel and Ukraine:
- EADaily — sanctioned by the EU for supporting Russian aggression.
- “Zavtra” newspaper — imperialist rhetoric, antisemitism, disinformation.
- Tsargrad TV — far-right Orthodox media promoting war.
- Russian People’s Line — openly anti-Zionist outlet.
Rise of Antisemitism in Russia: State Policy and Public Hysteria
Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, antisemitic rhetoric in Russia has escalated dramatically:
- Persecution on social media, claims of “Jewish conspiracies.”
- Vandalism at cemeteries, threats to Jewish schools.
- Direct attacks in federal TV broadcasts.
The Kremlin deliberately uses religious themes for mass manipulation: some Jews are labeled “good,” others — “enemies of Christ.”
NAnews: Israel Respects Faith, Not Propaganda
The Gafni-Asher bill is controversial, but not anti-religious. Israeli democracy allows for legislative debate, but no one is banning Christianity.
NAnews — News from Israel will continue to expose lies and Kremlin-backed propaganda. Jews and Ukrainians will not be fooled by shouting fanatics — no matter how loud they scream.
