Messianic Jews Detained in Israel

The former president of the U.S. Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations was detained along with his wife in Ben-Guirion airport for allegedly breaking Israeli law about proselytizing. Under Israeli law, it is illegal for missionaries to proselytize minors. Jamie and Stacy Cowen, who were in Israel to visit their daughters, were detained under suspicion of breaking this law. Cowen, an immigration lawyer, said, “In the U.S. we imprison individuals suspected of terrorism. Here apparently one can be jailed for his religious convictions.”