PM Netanyahu Met this Morning with Father Gabriel Nadaf, a Greek Orthodox
Priest from Nazareth
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning (Monday, 5 August 2013), met
with Father Gabriel Nadaf, a Greek Orthodox priest from Nazareth and
spiritual leader of a forum for the enlistment of Christian youth in the
IDF, Naji Abid, leader of the Orthodox council in Yafia and Lt. (ret.) Shadi
Khaloul, head of the forum.

Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed that a joint Government-community forum
be established within two weeks to promote the enlistment of Christian
community youth in the IDF and national service and their integration into
the life of the state. The forum will work to integrate members of the
Christian community in the law on equality in sharing the burden and deal
with the necessary administrative and legal aspects, protect those who
support enlistment and enlistees from violence and threats, and step up law
enforcement against those who disturb the peace and incite to violence.

There has been a significant increase in the number of Christian enlistees
in the IDF, from 35 a year ago to approximately 100 this year; an additional
500 young people from the community are doing national service.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "Members of the Christian community must be
allowed to enlist in the IDF. You are loyal citizens who want to defend the
state and I salute you and support you. We will not tolerate threats against
you and we will act to enforce the law with a heavy hand against those who
persecute you. I will not tolerate attempts to crumble the state from
within. The State of Israel and the Prime Minister stand alongside you."

Father Nadaf said, "Our goal is to guard the Holy Land and the State of
Israel. We have broken the barrier of fear – the state deserves that we do
our part in defending it. Those who oppose the integration of the Christian
community in the institutions of state do not walk in the path of
Christianity."