The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) hosted its annual Feast of the Tabernacles over the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, bringing more than 5,000 pilgrims from some 80 countries to Israel. The highlight of the colorful festival was marked on September 27, when ICEJ national delegations waving their countries' flags joined dozens of groups from Israel in the traditional Jerusalem March through the capital. That night, more than 1,000 Israelis joined the pilgrims for a festive gala at Jerusalem's Pais Arena. The program comprised “a celebration of Israel's 70th anniversary of modern statehood, as well as the moving of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem” on May 14, and a tribute to US Senator John Kyl, the initiator of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995. In a gesture of gratitude, Israeli communities along the Gaza border area welcomed an ICEJ delegation on October 2 at a ceremony hosted by Eshkol Regional Council head Gadi Yarkoni “to honor the pro-Israel organization for providing vital assistance over recent months to combat the onslaught of airborne incendiary devices and renewed rocket barrages from Gaza.” The delegation, headed by ICEJ president Dr. Jeurgen Buehler, toured the Eshkol region and dedicated a new bomb shelter at a youth sports club on Kibbutz Magen. The ICEJ, in cooperation with its Israeli partner Operation Lifeshield headed by Rabbi Shmuel Bowman, collects funds for Israel from Evangelicals around the world. It has recently donated 17 all-terrain fire-fighting trailers (each worth 15,500 dollars) and seven portable steel bomb shelters (each worth 25,000 dollars), bringing to 70 the total number of shelters it has funded for Gaza border communities over the past 12 years. “These bomb shelters and fire-fighting equipment are not only about protecting the safety of our people and livelihoods,” said Yarkoni. “They are also about emotional security. We are so grateful to the ICEJ for helping us in our hour of need this summer.” “It is a core mission of the Christian Embassy to be there for Israelis wherever you face crises and challenges,” Buehler responded. “We know our assistance helps ensure that as you send your children to school and to a sports club every day, you do so with the peace of mind that they will be safe.” Israel is fortunate to have the ICEJ and many Christian friends across the world, most notably Evangelicals, providing key support for the Jewish state in their home countries, including the US. Christianity is the world's biggest religion, with more than 2 billion followers, and Christian support for Israel is crucial. Among the main organizations working to garner and bolster this support are: • The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, founded in 1993 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, promotes understanding between Christians and Jews, builds broad support for Israel and promotes dialogue, respect and cooperation around the world. • The Friends of Zion (FOZ), founded by Dr. Mike Evans, serves as a platform for battling antisemitism and BDS internationally, and runs the FOZ Museum in Jerusalem to highlight the courageous role of Christian Zionists who have stood with the Jewish people. • The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, a multi-partisan lobby comprising 17 Members of Knesset from different parties established in 2004 by the late MK Dr. Yuri Stern and currently chaired by MK Robert Ilatov and directed by Josh Reinstein. • Israel365, a media company established in 2011 and headed by Rabbi Naphtali (Tuly) Weiss, which promotes the Biblical significance and physical beauty of the Land of Israel through a popular website that showcases the important causes and educational innovations it supports. We salute the ICEJ and the other organizations for their unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people.
