Hundreds of New Testament Bibles published by Bible Society have been publicly burned by Jewish Orthodox students in Or Jehuda, Israel.

Now the Bible Society there is calling for urgent prayer from the international Christian community.

Students are reported to have gone door to door to collect Scriptures to burn in an area heavily populated by Ethiopian Jews. An Israeli newspaper published an article crediting the city's Deputy Mayor as the main organiser of the event.

Victor Kalisher, the director of the Bible Society in Israel, said there had recently been increasing opposition to Messianic Jews (Jewish Christians) and the work of the Bible Society.

However, at the same time this has triggered an increased level of interest in the New Testament. Around 4,000 Bibles were distributed at a New Age festival held during the Feast of Passover, he explained.

"Many people are seeking the truth and have a keen interest in reading the New Testament and learning about the Messiah," Mr Kalisher said. "Pray that the doors will remain open for us to bring the Word of God. Pray for the Lord to work in the hearts of those who have received the Word - and of those who oppose it."

He also urged caution saying, "We need to be careful and wise seeking the Lord's protection and wisdom while serving according to his will and to his glory."

In a later report in The Jerusalem Post, the Deputy Mayor of Or Yeshuda said the burning has been "regrettable" and "unplanned".