Grand Lodge of the State of Israel Tel-Aviv HQ Damaged By Missile Attack

by Christopher Hodapp

From the always informative Hiram.be Blog Maçonique French language website comes a report that the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel's headquarters in Tel-Aviv were damaged last month when a Hezbollah missile fired from Lebanon struck the building next door. 

Following the link in the story to the Le Myosotis du Dauphiné Savoie blogsite from November 24th:

[In mid-November], an Iranian Fajr-5 type missile sent by the terrorist organization "Hezbollah" from Lebanon, hit an apartment building, located in the nearby suburbs of Tel Aviv, just opposite the building where the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel is located.

[snip]

During this attack, the building opposite the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel (GLSI), all of which with glass walls, was blown, they were shattered. At the time of the impact, a Lodge had its Works in the Temple going on in the premises. There are no wounded among the Brothers, which is miraculous, given that, in addition to the explosive charge of the missile, it also contained metal parts (schrapnels) intended to make even more human losses.

 

On the other hand, the material damage is significant and the floor where the GLSI premises are located had to be neutralized. 

For these reasons, the Works are suspended, as the Israeli Grand Master announced:

(NOTE: My English translation from his French translation of the Hebrew letter, so apologies for errors - CH):

 "My dear brothers,

Following the impact of a ballistic missile on a building in front of the Grand Lodge, heavy damage was caused to our building: the windows were blown and ceilings collapsed.

Due to this significant damage, it is impossible to continue the activities of the lodges, and the [meetings] are postponed. In addition, it will not be possible to work in [the Temple's lodge rooms] until further notice.

Fortunately, none of the brothers present during the work in Vita were injured.

We will soon communicate a new date for the resumption of work

In the hope of calmer days. "

Ilan Segev, Grand Master

The GL of Israel has about 1,000 members. Owing to the vast international origins of that tiny country's citizens, they have lodges that work in Hebrew, Arabic, French, English, Turkish, Romanian, Russian and Spanish. In keeping with the sacred, combined heritage of the Holy Land for members of the Abrahamic religions, their lodges frequently open a Hebrew Tanakh, a Christian Bible and a Muslim Quran on their altars, and it's common for the office of Grand Master to be held in rotation by a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim. Note that the seal of the Grand Lodge displays the Star of David, the Muslim crescent and the Christian cross.

Outpouring of Sympathy and Support for Grand Lodge of Israel

by Christopher Hodapp

In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks on Israel this past weekend, the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel AF&AM has posted a statement on its Facebook page acknowledging the enormous outpouring of support by the world's Freemasons. 

Click the image below to enlarge.

It reads:

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Dear Brothers of all the world.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the letters and phone calls from all over the world of fraternal support and solidarity during these challenging times in the State of Israel. It is truly moving to receive so many expressions of identification with the Grand Lodge of Israel, its Dear Brethren, and the entire populace in Israel.

We find solace in being part of this worldwide movement where fraternal unity among Dear Brothers transcends all forms of hatred. Our Grand Lodge serves as an exemplary illustration of this, as we have Dear Brothers from all faiths, races, languages, and countries living together in harmony with genuine brotherly love.

We have received unwavering support from our Dear Brothers living in the North, who stand in solidarity with the Dear Brothers and families residing in the South. Our building is soon to be opened and made available to those in need, and we are voluntarily bringing our Lodge of Magicians to entertain the children. This is how a fraternal society is built, and we are the ones who must lead the way.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely and fraternally.

M.W. Bro Man Segev, Grand Master 

R.W. Bro Jose Cohen, Grand Secretary

The official seal of the Grand Lodge of Israel includes a Star of David, a Christian cross, and a Muslim crescent, all superimposed over a Masonic square and compass and encircled by a Chain of Union. The Grand Lodge was established in 1953, and the country has almost 50 lodges at work today. Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druse brethren all work together, and their various holy books are all opened side by side on the lodge altars. Despite decades of violence in the Middle East centering around the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, finding a better illustration of of true brotherly love in that nation would be difficult.

Palestinian is Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Israel AF&AM

Over the last week or so, political news in the U.S. has been filled with headlines about Israel. President Obama called for a return to Israel's 1967 borders. President Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back and explained why such a move would be a suicidal act of madness. Meanwhile, President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has embraced partnership with the terrorist group Hamas, whose leadership continues to vow to eviscerate the Jews and push them all into the sea. And next door over in Egypt, in the midst of the much vaunted "Arab Spring," Coptic Christians are being slaughtered in the streets and their churches burned.

With all of that going on, it is perhaps a faint glimmer of light in that part of the world that shines from the seal of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel of Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons. That single image contains the Hebrew Star of David, the Muslim crescent, and the Christian cross, along with the square and compasses of Freemasonry. In all of the Middle East, it is in the Masonic lodges of Israel where men of all faiths regularly put aside their differences and seek to meet each other on the level as true brethren. The Grand Lodge of Israel has approximately 1,200 members who comprise at least five major religions and meet in 56 lodges, working in ten languages.

On January 25th, Most W:.B:. Nadim Mansour was installed as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Israel 2011-2013. He is a Greek Orthodox Palestinian Arab, who was born in Haifa, and moved to Acre at the age of 5. He was initiated as a Lewis in 1971 into Lodge Akko, a lodge of which his father was a founding member. In 1980, he was elected Master of his lodge. He is also a 33rd degree Mason in the Ancient & Accepted Rite, where he is Grand Orator of the Supreme Council, State of Israel.

GM Mansour is the third Palestinian Arab to serve as Grand Master of Israel since the 1950s.

A belated Mazel Tov is in order.

See this extensive website for more information about Freemasonry in Israel.