march 23, 2006
The Jerusalem Post Launches a Christian Edition
First published in 1932, The Jerusalem Post has long been considered the leading source of news in English coming out of Israel.
Founded in 1980 as an act of comfort and solidarity with the Jewish people, the ICEJ today stands at the forefront of the growing mainstream movement among Christians worldwide who support Israel based on biblical principles and promises.
Now, The Jerusalem Post (www.jpost.com), one of the most widely recognized and trusted brand names for news on Israel and the Middle East, has partnered with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (www.icej.org) to publish a new monthly newspaper targeting the growing evangelical Christian market.
According to a media release obtained by Assist News Service, "The Jerusalem Post Christian Edition will offer Israel's many Christian friends a special product dedicated to their unique interests, while providing a one-of-a-kind media forum for the exchange of views on Israel within the wider Christian world."
The release states: "It is a unique development of the Jewish and Christian alliance in Israel, different parts of the world and especially the United States. The Jerusalem Post is one of the most famous Israeli based newspapers because it contains English editorials for an English speaking reader. The Jerusalem Post Christian Edition is a stand-alone product that represents the state of Israel and Evangelical Christians."
It adds: "The JPCE is an opportunity for Christian Evangelicals who love Israel to have a stand-alone voice in Israel because it is not only published there, but is distributed there as well. This provides Christian Evangelicals the reciprocity of viewpoints and a major vehicle for Christians to express concerns through the publication. "
The media release explains that for Christian organizations, the magazine is not competitive, adding: "It brings an added value to what they are doing rather than working as a deterrent for their readers. For example, the ICEJ has its own informational sources, but we are involved because it brings added value to our product."
"Major events in Israel, like Hamas coming into power, will be addressed through the publication. It will be an informative source of information from the Middle East that readers will not receive anywhere else."
"We have ascertained that Christian supporters of Israel already constitute a significant part of our readership," said Moshe Bar-Zvi, President and CEO of The Jerusalem Post Group.
"It is only natural for us to identify a suitable partner and reach out to this audience with a publication specifically geared to them. We are excited about launching this new venture alongside the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem," he said.
The Rev. Malcolm Hedding, Executive Director of the ICEJ, said: "The combined resources and strengths of The Jerusalem Post and our worldwide ministry will yield a publication that is an instant must for Christians who care about Israel and desire to stay informed about the Jewish people’s amazing journey home."
"Our inside perspective from Jerusalem gives us an edge in translating events here into stories that will inform, inspire and educate Israel's vast Christian support base."
The Jerusalem Post and ICEJ are jointly developing the marketing and editorial approach of the new monthly publication to ensure that it addresses issues of interest to Christians with sensitivity and respect, while maintaining the newspaper's professional journalistic standards. The first monthly issue was just produced in January.
ICEJ was asked why produce a Christian Edition of the Jerusalem Post and why now?
An ICEJ spokesman said, "Because it reflects the life and ministry of Christians in Israel. Also, (because) there is an improved climate between Evangelical Christians and Israel.
"The Christian Edition will be obviously Christian in content and aimed at the Christian reader."
ICEJ explained that the Christian Edition will approach the Jewish-Palestinian problem and will report controversial topics in Israel, "With truth, and with boldness. Editorially, it will reflect Christian theology and thinking, (and) will employ Jewish and Christian reporters generally."
A spokesman said the paper does employ others -- like Palestinians -- if needed, and "will use any (other sources) that we can get our hands on."
Asked how would the newspaper would respond to potential criticisms of not being fair and/or balanced in its reporting toward Israel and the Palestinians because of the word "Christian" in its title, the spokesman replied: "Being Christian means that you should be truthful, fair and balanced. Otherwise what does Christian mean?"
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