ADVERTISEMENT

Thousands of Christians Voice Support for Israel

AP
October 15, 2014

Thousands of Christians from 80 different countries gathered in Jerusalem on Tuesday for a show celebrating their "declaredly unshakable bond with Israel," the Times of Israel reported.

The event was called the Feast of Tabernacles, and has been an annual event for 35 years. It is put on by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, which represents millions of Christians.

ICEJ raises millions of dollars to assist with the aliyah to Israel of Jews from around the world, most recently from India and Ukraine. During this summer’s conflict with Hamas, the organization provided portable bomb shelters and other assistance to Israeli communities on the Gaza border. ICEJ also runs a full-care residence for 70 Holocaust survivors in Haifa.

Tuesday’s spirited, colorful, music-filled extravaganza capped off a week of visits to holy sites and study and prayer sessions for the pilgrims. They also participated in a march through Jerusalem and heard addresses by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder, as well as by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via video link.

According to ICEJ’s website, the Feast of Tabernacles is meant to celebrate the "recognition of the hand of God in Israel’s modern day restoration and the need to work with what God is doing, and bless it." This year’s feast was the largest in seven years, despite Israel’s conflict with Gaza, which ended less than two months ago.

Published under: Israel