Israel and the Arameans - StandWithUs German Exclusive

The Arameans, not to be confused with Armenians, is a Christian nation that identifies itself as the descendants of the ancient Arameans.

Their language is Aramaic and nowadays less than 2000 Syrian-Orthodox Christian Arameans live in their region of origin in the southeast of Turkey. Facing the constant repression of their Christian faith, many have fled to America with the majority fleeing to Syria and Europe. With the Turkish government making little effort to protect them, many Arameans are forced to reside in the Middle East, creating a large and extensive diaspora. Increasingly Turkey has taken a repressive stance toward the diaspora, not allowing the group to teach their language or have their own schools.

While some countries, such as Sweden, recognized the genocide of this nation, only Israel officially recognizes and registers the Arameans as Arameans, accepting them without discrimination or persecution based on their faith.

(See also http://www.botschaftisrael.de/2014/09/18/israel-erkennt-aramaeische-minderheit-als-eigenstaendige-nationalitaet-an/)

The acceptance by the State of Israel as well as the local holy Christian sites has created a sense of security leading to an rising number of Arameans residing in Israel.

Through personal interviews I wanted to further understand the feelings of the Arameans toward, what many consider, the Holy Land.

A very brave and young Aramean man who lives in Israel, has been working with great enthusiasm and commitment for the IDF, the Israel Defense Force. In an interview with Daniel he tells us of his daily life as an Aramean in Israel.

"There are many different kinds of Christians in Israel and I am very proud to be an Israeli Christian, because here I can live my faith here without any problems or fears. Everybody should know about us and that we stand behind Israel, as it stands behind us. "

He is very proud to be able to serve the IDF and to fight the daily terror in Israel. In a way he fights to maintain the understanding and acceptance that he has become accustomed to as an Aramean. "The Holy Land is my home and I will fight for it." He says that in Israel, different faiths such as Muslim, Jewish, or Christian, despite being different are accepted all and treated with fairness equally. "We can all live free with our faith and traditions, unlike many other countries in the Middle East."

At a local coffee shop, Judith, an Aramean residing in Germany proudly shows me her Star of David. She emphasized her feelings that, "A nation that accepts me, will find my encouragement. The IDF protects and defends Christian minorities in Bethlehem and other cities in Israel. I am proud to say that my whole family and I will defend the Jewish people in all discussions. "

She says that we need to fight against anti-Semitism especially in Germany. In her conversations with her acquaintances she often hears criticism against Israel. She has come to understand that because people know very little or have misconceptions regarding the matter, that she is able to persuade people very easily with her knowledge.
"Both the Jews / Hebrews and the Arameans are descendants of the Semites. According to the bible Jesus spoke Aramaic. I feel attracted to the Jewish people, because all origin of Christianity lies in the sacred land. When I'm reading the Bible, I automatically feel love for this people. This is due to the fact that the Jews are God's chosen people and there is an everlasting covenant. "

For the Syrian refugee, the honorary onset Aramaean, convinces her friends, colleagues, and even strangers of her love for Israel. With sparkling eyes she says: "I cannot wait to be back in the Holy Land again."

Her statement of endearment is further qualified in the fact that, "The Holy Land is and remains the home of many minorities. Not only but also because of its cultural diversity, openness and compassion, Israel is a country that you have to love! "

Another young Aramean living in Germany is the 21 year old Fehmi. Somewhat perplexed and timid about the subject, when I asked him his feelings toward Aramean and his people’s treatment in Israel, he began to warm up.

"So many things are going through my head. First of all, Jesus was a Jew, and Jesus taught us the charity that means for me, among other things tolerance to each individual. Secondly, it occurred to me something that my father often told me. We, Arameans and the Jews have a lot of similirities, not only the language and culture, but also that we were fighting with the Jews as they were attacked by the Assyrians. This is an ancient friendship that, with God help, will survive all times. Israel, as well, has recognized as the first country in the world the Arameans as a distinct ethnic group, which is unthinkable in other countries. "

He eventually finds his thoughts and concludes with a personal anecdote of how his trip to the Holy Land and Jerusalem has reinforced his positive views of what he has come to know as a home of sorts.

"Israel is the land of the Bible. One more of many reasons to go and to discover the footsteps of Jesus. "That was Priscilla's motivation, for the first time to go to Israel in 2007.

For many, that one reason was more than enough but for Priscilla she needed more. She needed to discover for herself that, "Israel is a versatile country. One where you get to see everything from excavations through to the desert, the sea, the mountains, the cities, the culture and of course all kinds of people. That’s why one visit is not enough.

With each visit she has left her heart there. In many ways, Israel has become a second home to her having already been 21 times to visit her friends.

"Every time I experience a lot and discover new places where I was not before. A beautiful and diverse country. "

She spends her holidays in Israel, where she helps volunteer for Israeli charities. "I want to give back what Israel gives us. It's not much, but if everyone helps a little, together we can show the beauty of the country and its culture to other people and thus counteract the terror. "