Christian lawmakers from 20 countries will be in Israel later this week to express their support for the Jewish state. At an event hosted by the Israel Allies Foundation, the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem and the World Jewish Congress (WJC) 25 Christian parliamentarians and Congressmen will notably discuss measures to fight a campaign against Israel spearheaded in recent months by the European Union. On Sunday, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder will address an event in Jerusalem at which 3,000 Evangelical Christians from around the world will be present.
The lawmakers are also expected to endorse Israel’s efforts to defend itself against existential threats such as those posed by Iran regime and by the current unrest and chemical weapons in Syria. The Chairman’s Conference of the Israel Allies Foundation, presided by former Minister Benny Elon, will be held as part of the annual Feast of Tabernacles, the largest tourist event in Israel which every year draws more than 5,000 Christian pilgrims from over 100 countries. Lawmakers from Argentina, Bolivia, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Uruguay, Guatemala, the United Kingdom and the United States will participate in the gathering.
In a draft declaration expected to be adopted, the legislators call the boycott of Israeli persons and goods from the disputed territories in the West Bank and Jerusalem an act of discrimination that is harming the peace efforts. In addition, the signatories are expected to lend their support “to the government of Israel as acting within its rights and obligations to its citizens when it stands resolutely in defence of its sovereign territory and acts preemptively, if necessary, to ensure the protection of its citizens and the survival of its national existence.” They are also to endorse Israel’s position that the Jerusalem should remain undivided.
WJC President Ronald Lauder hailed the upcoming event in the Israeli capital as an important sign that Israel does not stand alone in the world: “This conference is ample proof that Israel has strong Christian allies in parliaments and governments around the world on which it can rely. The World Jewish Congress will continue to work on widening this important coalition and increase cooperation with our Christian friends,” he said.