In this case, “Proselytizes” means to attempt to convert Jews to Christianity. (r. a. note)

The Christian Post.com        By Samuel Smith              Sun., May 10, 2020

A new evangelical Christian television channel in Israel has been threatened with being shut down if it engages in any type of missionary activity, according to Israeli media reports.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports that the international television network GOD TV’s new Hebrew-language channel Shelanu began airing last week on Israel’s HOT cable network after receiving a seven-year license from the Israeli Communications Ministry.

GOD TV CEO Ward Simpson announced the launch and declared that the network has been “given government permission to broadcast the Gospel of Jesus Christ” in Israel, something he said has never been done before.

Proselytizing to people younger than 18 without their parents’ consent is against the law in Israel, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. And under the terms of the Shelanu license, the network is forbidden from engaging in missionary activities.

The Chairman of the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council, Asher Biton, told the newspaper that he was unaware when the license was granted to Shelanu that the new channel planned to engage in activities that are prohibited under the terms of the license.

Biton told the newspaper that he has ordered an investigation into the channel. Biton was quoted as saying that if it’s determined that the license terms have been violated or there is any intention to violate them, Shelanu would be shut down.  Pic below is Hebrew for “GOD-TV:

“According to our regulations, it is fine to broadcast religious programming,” Biton was quoted as saying. “[B]ut it is forbidden to broadcast content that has the potential to influence viewers in an undue fashion, and most certainly young and impressionable viewers.”

Biton said he doesn’t want to rush to judgment because shutting down television networks isn’t something the council does often.

It received a permit from the council and is broadcasting according to law,” the spokesperson declared, adding that “full information was provided to the council and the channel is operating in accordance with the permit it received.”

According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Communications Minister David Amsalem said he “will not allow any missionary channel to operate in Israel, at no time and under no circumstances.”

Amsalem also demanded that if an investigation finds the channel to be engaging in missionary activities that “it be removed immediately.”

Full article here: https://www.christianpost.com/world/israel-threatens-to-shut-down-new-evangelical-god-tv-channel-if-it-proselytizes.html