Sons of the New Testament

Bnei Brit HaHadasha
בני ברית החדשה
Leader Bishara Shilyan
Founded 10 July 2013
Ideology Arab Christian interests,
Pro-Two-state solution
Political position Centre-left
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The Sons of the New Testament (Hebrew: בני ברית החדשה‎, Bnei Brit HaHadasha) is a political party in Israel.

History

The party was established in 2013 with the aim of representing the interests of Arabic speaking Christians in Israel. The party encourages full integration of Arabophone Christians into Israeli society, the two-state solution, and enlistment of Arabophone Christians into the Israel Defence Forces. It was founded by Bishara Shilyan, a 58-year-old sea captain from Nazareth. One of the reasons for founding the party is the belief that the existing Arab parties predominantly serve Muslim interests.[1] Israel's Arabophone Christians are predominantly Melkite Greek and Roman Catholic and represent a minority within the broader Arab population of the country.[2][3]

The party's founder, Shilyan, has also said he wants to build a 30.5 metres (100 ft) tall statue of Jesus (modeled on Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue) on top of a mountain in Nazareth. He said the purpose of the statue would be to prevent Nazareth's Christian heritage from being eroded. The town's Christian population has been steadily decreasing relative to its Muslim population.[4]

References

  1. ↑ ‘Arab Spring’ Prompts Israeli Christians to Break from Muslim Political Parties and Form New Movement The Blaze, 10 June 2013
  2. ↑ New Christian Arab party calls for IDF enlistment Times of Israel, 10 July 2013
  3. ↑ Sons of the New Testament Israel Today, 10 July 2013
  4. ↑ Plans Shaping up for 100-foot Jesus Statue in Muslim-Dominated Nazareth New American, 27 December 2013