A Purim package "mishloach manot" (Purim food gift) labeled "HAPPY PURIM" in Hebrew decorated with smiling faces and colorful letters with the top half wrapped with transparent cellophane containing chocolates was delivered to the apartment of a Messianic leader in Ariel. His 15 yr. old son opened the package which promptly exploded in his face, severely injuring his neck and head.

The 15 year old was rushed to the Hospital with life threatening injuries. When the bomb exploded it was loaded with shrapnel which is reported to have missed any major arteries although has 10 steel bolts embedded in his lungs which the surgeons are working on removing. It is also reported that the Doctors pulled a sharp piece of shrapnel out of one eye, and are waiting for the swelling to go down to see if the nerve is okay. The miracle in this is that he has one eye completely unaffected. It appears however that he may still loose some toes and fingers. Many gashes and 2nd and 3rd degree burns remain. The Doctors have discovered a torn tendon in one hand which will require complicated surgery

The general security team (Shabak) are investigating the explosion and have developed two theories that it is either anti-missionaries or a terrorist attack. Israeli police in Ariel are downplaying the terrorist theory at this time since Ariel has in its 30 year existence had a terrorist attack. The investigators are reviewing footage from the surveillance camera images (I won’t say more than hat).

Currently a Palestinian group that has claimed responsibility according to Arab TV (Al Aksa Brigade), this group has however been known to make fictitious claims just to boost their own popularity. There is also word circulating about extreme orthodox groups living in the area that do not disguise their hostility against believers. Some locals however do not think that the Haredim would go as far as attempting cold blooded murder.

The unique aspect of this is that the bomb was designed by someone who knew what they were doing to maximize damage which it did in destroying the kitchen, most of the salon, part of the upstairs, and blew out windows. At the center of this explosion remained the dining room table with a gaping hole in the shaped of the "gift" basket. Regardless who sent the bomb; the doors are open to more attacks by terrorist or further reaction from anti-missionary groups.

The interesting aspect of this case is the leader has received a fatwa (death threats) from the Hamas for leading Palestinians to faith in Yeshua and at the same time the Ariel congregation and its leaders have been experiencing an increased amount of harassment from the Haredim, and now someone is sending bombs using the orthodox tradition of sending packages to the poor and less fortunate.

This tactic seems to be the next step in the tactics used specifically against the Messianic community. The past four years has seen the violence increase from invading congregations, destroying private property, false charges, setting fire to a messianic club, fire bombing the club with seniors in it, harassing the poor as they come to get cloths for their families, harass companies to fire employees for being Messianic, picketing private homes, publicly cursing individuals on the street and now sending bombs like a terrorist.

The acts put upon the body of Messiah in Israel is getting severe, please help in your support for the Messianic Community in Israel as the orthodox continue their campaign to a more violent method in the hope to remove Jewish believers from the land Israel.