Activists Interrupt Missionary Event in Yerushalayim

Members of the Lehava anti-assimilation group on Thursday night disrupted a missionary gathering in central Yerushalayim. Dozens of Lehava activists descended on the Clal Center on Yafo Street and created a disturbance that was only broken up after police arrived and made arrests.

Lehava members said they were beaten by police during the course of the arrests. Among those who complained of being beating was Lehava head Bentzi Gopstein, who required medical attention after his arrest. Along with Gopstein, another Lehava activist was detained.

According to participants in the event, the Lehava activists were mistaken – the event was not missionary in nature, but an event for Christians featuring liturgical music. In response, Lehava said that according to the event program, representatives of missionary groups were supposed to appear at the event, and that the organization would not tolerate missionary activity in the city.