WESTPORT – As Israel faces growing isolation in the Middle East and increased criticism from many directions, a new breed of Israel advocacy is taking root in the U.S. Joining traditional Jewish supporters like AIPAC, StandWithUs, and Hillel, organized American Christian groups are adding their voice and encouragement to efforts that combat Israel-bashing.
Evangelical Christian Zionists base their support on those biblical texts that establish and insure the relationship between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. They also acknowledge Judaism as the root of their own faith, and take on a commitment to protect and respect the Jewish people. For its part, the Israeli Knesset established the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus to foster relationships with Christian leaders throughout the world, including several representing Christian Zionist groups in North America.
Increasingly visible in the U.S. is Christians United for Israel (CUFI), headed by executive director David Brog, named by The Forward in its annual list of “Forward 50” most influential Jews in America. Founded in 2006, CUFI holds an annual summit in Washington, D.C., and organizes regular pro-Israel events and educational programs in communities and on college campuses throughout its U.S. regions. At its last D.C. summit in May, Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu was among the featured speakers. CUFI creates educational materials with the help of StandWithUs, and spearheads email advocacy campaigns among its members. On the eve of Mahmoud Abbas’s appeal for Palestinian statehood at the UN, CUFI members sent 44,000 emails of support to Netanyahu in a 24-hour period.
Eagles’ Wings Ministries, founded in 1992, works to strengthen support for Israel through advocacy-training programs. Their “Watchmen on the Wall” (WOTW) program educates potential advocates on Jewish history, Christian antisemitism, media bias against Israel, and the Mid-East conflict. Participants are encouraged to visit Israel as part of a prayer pilgrimage, where those who have completed the training program are inducted as a “Watchman on the Wall” in a ceremony sponsored by the Israeli government. Watchmen commit to return to their home communities as vocal advocates for Israel.
Later this month, St. Paul Westport will host a “Watchmen on the Wall” seminar. This is not the first time the modern-day Antioch church has engaged in pro-Israel programming. Last November, St. Paul hosted a “Night to Honor Israel,” a partnership between CUFI and Eagles’ Wings Ministries.
“The purpose of the event was to show the local Jewish community that we stand with them in support of Israel,” says Jackie Hayes of St. Paul. “After the event, we were introduced to the WOTW seminar and felt that we should also engage the Christian community by sponsoring this event, whose aim is to make each participant a knowledgeable advocate for Israel.”
The church used the November program to raise funds for an Israeli charity, an activity that leaders plan to incorporate into all Israel-advocacy programming.
Hayes says that the WOTW program will give participants biblical and historical perspectives on Israel, and educate them on media misconceptions regarding the country and the Mid-East conflict, in order to equip them as effective pro-Israel voices in the Christian community.
St. Paul is planning another “Night to Honor Israel” in 2012.