A group of Messianic Jews who were passing out pamphlets in the central Israel town of Rehovot last week were violently attacked by ultra-Orthodox local residents, reported Ynet.

A number of secular passersby also reportedly joined in the fray and destroyed much of the Messianic literature.

Several of those who either witnessed or participated in the scuffle told Ynet they were outraged by the presence of "missionaries" in their town.

Many Israeli Jews view Messianic Jews as members of a foreign religion, and view their efforts to share the Gospel as an attempt to convert Jews to the "alien faith" of Christianity.

Those who attack Messianic evangelists often falsely claim that proselytizing is illegal in Israel. In fact, it is only illegal to offer monetary compensation for accepting a new faith, or to proselytize minors. Sharing one's faith with consenting adults is not illegal in Israel.