(Minghui.org) Twenty-six years ago in China, a self-cultivation practice called Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was introduced to the public by Master Li Hongzhi.

The practice includes five meditative exercises and is based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It is now practiced in some 114 countries around the world.

On May 13th of every year, practitioners celebrate Falun Dafa Day worldwide. This year on May 11th-12th, Israeli practitioners gathered in two cities in Israel to mark the day.

Falun Dafa Day Reaches Haifa

In the city of Haifa, northern Israel, dozens of Falun Dafa practitioners gathered on May 11, 2018 to introduce the practice to the public and raise awareness about the cruel and ongoing persecution of the practice in China which was started in 1999 by the Chinese Communist Party.

The practitioners split into small groups, gathering in Haifa's central areas, as well as near the Bahai Gardens (a popular tourist site in Haifa).

Leaflets describing the practice and the ongoing persecution were distributed to passersby, and many people expressed their interest and support.

Buses with tourists arrived regularly at the Bahai Gardens, and among them there were tourists from Hong Kong. When they got off the bus, one of the practitioners offered a leaflet with information about Falun Dafa and the persecution, and some of the tourists accepted them. The group’s tour guide suddenly shouted, “Stop, Stop” and the practitioner noticed that the Chinese guide was whispering something in his ear. The practitioner then stood up in front of them and said, “In Israel, Falun Gong is legal and free to practice. It is ok to accept the materials.” A while later a young man approached and asked for a leaflet. He said, “I don't like the Chinese government.” The practitioner then replied, “We know that they are trying to force Chapter 23 on the citizens of Hong Kong which will allow the regime to do as they will in Hong Kong, just as they do in mainland China.” The man was surprised that people in Israel knew about attempts by the Chinese regime to override the legal system in Hong Kong and cancel the relative freedom there resulting from the agreement with China (when it was mandated from the British) to run a free legal system. This policy was called: “One country, two systems.”

A practitioner speaks about Falun Dafa with a passerby.

Clarifying the facts about Falun Dafa to tourists.

A young man named Pal passed by the area, and when he heard about the persecution in China he said, “I, as a local citizen of Israel, have never heard of such a thing going on in China. Just as I am surprised for not knowing about this, there are millions of others who will surely be surprised. The more you spread the word about it the more people around the world will know, and it will reach a solution whereby sanity will overcome the insanity of this evil.”

“I hope you will spread it as much as possible,” he added.

Demonstrating the Falun Dafa Exercises at “Habima Theater” Square in Tel Aviv

Falun Dafa practitioners gathered at Habima Theater Square in Tel Aviv on May 12 to demonstrate the exercises and raise awareness of the ongoing persecution in China. There was a large number of passersby, many of whom showed interest and asked questions.

It seemed that many people were surprised to learn that a meditation practice that teaches living according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance is being persecuted by the regime in China.

Moreover, there were some who expressed interest in the practice and inquired about local practice sites in Israel.

Meditating at the “Habima Theater” square in Tel Aviv.