Christians Show Love of Israel in Jerusalem Streets
Share this Article
Twitter
Facebook
Digg
Stumble
PrintTags:
Australia Israel Brazil Israel Canada Israel Chile Israel China Israel Christian Embassy Jerusalem Christian friends of Israel Czech Republic Israel Denmark Israel Feast of Tabernacles Germany Israel Great Britain Israel India Israel Israel Bolivia Israel France Israel Hungary Israel New Zealand Israel Norway Japan Israel Jewish holiday Korea Israel Malaysia Israel Nigeria Israel secular Jews South Africa Israel Stas Misezhnikov streets of Jerusalem Sweden Israel Switzerland Israel Taiwan Israel United States Israel
Christians march together to show solidarity with Israel, with supportive signs in many different languages including Spanish. Photo: Anav Silverman / Tazpit News Agency.
There was love in the air of Jerusalem on Thursday afternoon. Marching through the streets of Jerusalem, approximately 6,000 Christian friends of Israel made their way with flags and smiles, which they readily shared with Israeli bystanders—from ultra-orthodox to secular Jews of all ages and backgrounds.
Israeli Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov welcomed the Christian visitors, who were led by Evangelical community leaders visiting from across the world to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, the Christian celebration of the seven-day Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
The throngs of visitors, who came from over 100 countries, sang Hatikva and wished “chag sameach (happy holidays)” to Israeli bystanders, who gathered to watch, smiling and waving back. Israeli children collected flags and souvenirs that the Christian participants brought with them from their home countries to give out.
Among the different delegations, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bolivia, Chile, India, Nigeria, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, United States, Canada, Great Britain, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, South Africa, Germany, France and Italy, were of the many nations that attended.
The march is part of the many activities surrounding the Feast of Tabernacles, organized by the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem (ICEJ), which works to express and strengthen Christian support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people.
The Feast of Tabernacles is perhaps the most well-known event of the ICEJ and has taken place every year since 1980, when the embassy was established, drawing thousands of Christians from around the world. The Feast of Tabernacles and all the events surrounding the holiday, which includes visits to Christian holy sites in Israel, as well as lectures, workshops and musical worship in Jerusalem, is considered to be the largest single tourist event in Israel.
In 2011, more than 25% of all incoming tourists to Israel came for the purpose of this pilgrimage, and 42% of those visitors were Christians.
“We love you,” said one Chinese participant to an Israeli woman watching the parade. It was an often repeated statement said in many different accents during the day, which Israelis generally do not get to hear. “This parade makes me so happy,” said Rivka, a 25-year-old Israeli. “To see all this love pouring from thousands of people is so special. It’s so nice to know that we have friends that truly support us and come to stand openly with our country.”
8:25 am
I understand the delight at receiving so many expressions of love.
I am concerned, however, that most of the rejoicing crowds probably do not realise that the usual Christian Zionist longing is for the conversion of all Jews to Christianity in time to welcome (in Christian terms) the “Second Coming” of the Messiah.
1:43 pm
So? Are they violently trying to bring the second coming about? Is this their only motivation? For all of them?
I think this meme you raise is simplistic and of limited value. Until there is some specific actions that threatens Jews, Christians are and should be free to practice their faith as they like.
2:17 pm
Is the cup half full or half empty?
oldschooltwentysix: “WHAT CUP?”
5:32 pm
Oh, please! What BS! You sound like the White Supremacists in the US. Christians do not long to convert the Jews, nor is this a goal of the New Christian World Order (I’m sure the left sees this in the making.). We (Christians) have our roots in the Jewish religion, but conversion is is a personal decision, albeit to Judaism or from Judaism. This is the left anti-Christian propagandists’ line! Christian Zionists???? Somewhat of an oxymoron.
5:22 pm
i love the jews and there ace religion.i hope of there own free will the jews convert as the bible predicts they willuntill that happens the jews have my uncondtional love go israel go
6:44 am
“The usual Christian Zionist longing”…How could you possibly know the intents of the hearts of millions of Christians who simply choose to stand with the nation of Israel and all Jews around the world? You don’t know. My lifelong connection with Israel and my love for the Jews began when my parents named me “Sabra”… which means “one born in the land”…It would take much more space for me to recount the times in my life when God has divinely connected me to a Jew. Most of them probably don’t remember me, but their impact on my life has been one of transformation! Can’t wait to visit “the Land!”