MAKUYA AND ISRAEL

When the news of the liberation of the whole Jerusalem reached us, our hearts leaped for joy, our blood stirred within us. The joy was unspeakable; it was the "resonance" of our blood.

When we twice invited General Uzi Narkiss, Liberator of Jerusalem, to our annual conferences, our people extended the most enthusiastic welcome; clapping hands we wholeheartedly supported his statement, "Jerusalem should never be conquered again."

In 1968, and again in 1971, we demonstrated in front of the United Nations and presented an appeal for the sake of Israel to then UN General Secretary U Thant.

We are often asked why we feel such affection for the State of Israel. "Why you, Japanese and Christians, love the Middle Eastern people?" was the constant question we face both from many people. Our zealous gesture toward Israel seems to go beyond their comprehension .

As mentioned earlier, it is found that the blood types of the Japanese are closest to those of the inhabitants in Palestine. Maybe on this ground of "blood relationship" the Makuya people feel such a special love and affinity toward Israel. Through God's mercy we have envied genuine and cordial friendship with the Middle Eastern people. No words can adequately express our gratitude for the kindness we have received from the people all over Israel.

Small as its geographical territory is, Israel occupies the foremost place in the eyes of God. We wish to encourage and console the people who have been dispersed and homeless for two thousand years; we wish to show that there is a people who rejoices in the restoration of Jerusalem and cares for the welfare of future Israel.

For the past twelve years, over 150 young men and women have been sent to Kibbutz Heftsi-Bah and other kibbutzim to study Hebrew and to experience the communal living. About 800 Makuya people have visited Eretz Israel on seven different occasions. And this March, 1973, the Makuya is sending its eighth pilgrimage to the Holy Land to commemorate the twenty fifth anniversary of the Independence of the State of Israel.

Not all understand our fervent love toward Israel: some criticize that we are too Middle Eastern; some call us "Judeo-Christians." But, in actuality, Judaism and Christianity were not two different religions in the beginning, but two branches of one root the religion of the Bible. As Rabbi Abraham J. Heschel once said, "Different are the languages of prayer, but the tears are the same. We have a vision in common of Him in whose compassion all men's prayer meet."

He also said, "In the words of the prophet Malachi, 'From the rising of the sun to its setting My name is great among the nations. In every place incense is offered to My name, and a pure offering; for My name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 1:11) It seems to me that the prophet proclaims that men all over the world, though they confess different conceptions of God, are really worshiping One God, the Father of all men, though they may not even be aware of it."

It is the presence of this One God the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob that we the Makuya group endeavor to experience in our daily lives. Through the deeper knowledge of Judaism we believe that we can come to the full comprehension of the Bible messages. Thus, our actions are not motivated by any political ideologies, but by our religious convictions in the God of Israel and His Words.

The ancient Jewish diaspora, the Hada tribe, made such widespread contributions toward the early making of our nation, that now we want to do our utmost to repay their efforts how ever small that may be.

"According to their deeds, so will he repay,
wrath to his adversaries, requital to his enemies;
to the coastlands he will render requital.
So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west,
and his glory from the rising of the sun;
for he will come like a rushing stream,
which the wind of the Lord drives.
And he will come to Zion as Redeemer,
to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,
says the Lord."

"And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord. My spirit which is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your children, or out of the mouth of your children's children, says the Lord, from this time forth and for evermore." (Isaiah 59: 18-21)