Israel Withdraws Protestant Broadcaster's License Over Proselytism

Homepage of Shelanu TV, a Protestant television station that has had its broadcasting license withdrawn in Israel.

(Tel Aviv) The Christian television station is called Shelanu TV and, according to its own statements, was “wonderfully” granted a license to broadcast its program in Israel via cable. Shelanu TV started broadcasting on April 29, 2020, but the problems began after only a few days.

Shelanu TV produces its program in Hebrew. However, the crux of the matter from the very first broadcast days was that the television channel, according to the accusation, wanted to convert the Jews to Christianity.The television station belongs to the American company God TV and is Protestant and pro-Israeli. Nevertheless, there were complaints in the past two months, then protests against the broadcaster. It was accused of proselytism.

The discomfort became a political scandal when the station's director, Ward Simpson, emphasized the "importance" that viewers should convert to Christ.

The Israeli broadcasting agency announced to Shelanu TV on June 25 that the broadcasting license had been withdrawn. The drastic measure was justified by the fact that the broadcaster addressed primarily the Jews and not the Christians of Israel.

God TV claims to reach 300 million viewers worldwide by sharing the Gospel in numerous countries on every continent.

Proselytism is not fundamentally prohibited in Israel, at least not entirely. Officially, the law only provides for a ban on minors unless the parents have given their consent.

Shelanu TV describes the cancellation of its license as "unprecedented" and complains of "overt religious discrimination". After the media had already reported on the move by the Israeli authorities on June 28, it was confirmed by the broadcaster yesterday.

Text: Andreas Becker 
Image: Shelanu TV (screenshot)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMDG