Editing Makuya (section)

==Makuya and Israel==
Makuya is a group of [[Zionism|fervent lovers of Israel]] and [[Philo-Semitism|the Jewish people]]. It sends young members to a number of [[kibbutz]]im in Israel, and makes pilgrimages to Jerusalem. "Over [900] Makuya students have been sent to Israeli kibbutzim to work together with the people of the Bible, and to study Hebrew and the biblical background. Some of them continue their academic studies in universities." The primary kibbutz the Makuya students stay at is [[Heftziba]]. Makuya has also appeared in front of the [[United Nations]] on at least two occasions, speaking on behalf of Israel.

In 1967, when the [[Six-Day War]] broke out, Teshima wrote a telegram to the Makuya students in Israel: "Stay as long as you can and help Israel." The students, accordingly, volunteered to aid Israel during the war. In 1973, when the [[Yom Kippur War]] broke out, the [[State of Japan]] supported Arab countries, caving in to an [[1973 oil crisis|Arab oil embargo]]. This diplomatic policy frustrated Teshima. Despite his serious illness (terminal [[cirrhosis]]), Teshima, then, organized, with 3,000 of his adherents, a campaign for Israel in front of the [[National Diet Building]] in Tokyo. It was the first pro-Israel demonstration ever held in Japan. The campaign received wide coverage in the press, radio, and television. However, it also worsened Teshima's illness and he died three weeks later on [[Christmas|Christmas Day]] 1973.

[[File:אבישי טייכר 080.jpg|thumb|"Makuya Forest" sign]]
Teshima's name was inscribed twice on the Golden Book of the Jewish National Fund; once in September 1967 in honor of his staunch support for Israel during the Six-Day War and once in January 1974 honoring his passing. His unconditional love, devotion, and support for Israel that stemmed from his biblical faith is, to this day, carried on by the members of the Makuya movement.

The Jewish National Fund had planted a forest in memory of Teshima, located in the [[Lower Galilee]]. It was named "Makuya Forest".