Christian event disrupted by extremists who oppose non-Jewish activities in Israel

Lehava leader Bentzi Gopstein (circled in red) argues with a police officer at a choir performance in Jerusalem on Sept. 22 2016.(Israeli TV Channel 10 screenshot)

Even in the place where Jesus Christ preached God's Word, Christians are still not welcome up to this day by some people who do not believe in their faith.

A group of extremists who oppose non-Jewish actions in Israel disrupted a Christian conference in the Clal Center in Jerusalem on Thursday.

Members of the radical far-right Lehava organisation, led by Bentzi Gopstein, barged into the venue while a Christian choir was performing during the finale of the Manofim festival of contemporary art. They confronted believers who participated in the event, and shouted "Jew murderers!" and "Go back to Syria," prompting the choir to cut short its performance.

Gopstein also confronted police who arrived at the scene to restore order. The far-right leader was reportedfly struck by a Border Police officer before he was arrested.

Security forces were then posted at the entrance to the event to prevent Lehava members from going in, according to Haaretz.

Wadie Abunassar, the executive director of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops in the Holy Land involved in the Christian conference, described the extremists' action as "barbaric."

"We strongly condemn this barbaric act and call on the Israeli law enforcement authorities to put Gopstein and his people on trial, not only for this incident, but for all their activities that are full of violence and incitement," Abunassar said in a written statement, as quoted by The Times of Israel.

He also urged Israeli authorities to pursue firm legal action against the extremists who disrupted the Christian event.

"We take this opportunity to mention that we filed a police complaint against Gopstein over a year ago for similar actions," Abunassar added. "Likewise, we condemn any justification to infringe on the freedom of expression of any person."

Aside from Gopstein, the police also arrested another unnamed activist after he reportedly refused to heed the authorities' orders to stop disrupting the Christian conference.