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Elie Wiesel, Israeli Officials Address Christian Supporters of Israel at John Hagee Ministries’ 28th Annual Night to Honor Israel
John Hagee Ministries Donates $9 Million to Israeli and Jewish Charities at Event
SAN ANTONIO – Over 6,000 Christian supporters of Israel attended the 28th annual Night to Honor Israel on Sunday at the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, during which John Hagee Ministries donated $9 million to Israeli and Jewish charities.
Pastor John C. Hagee, President and CEO of John Hagee Ministries served as the event’s master of ceremonies. Among those joining Hagee on the stage were Holocaust survivor, novelist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, Israel’s Minister of National Infrastructure Uzi Landau, and Israel’s Consul General to the Southwestern United States Asher Yarden.
“We gather here tonight to express our solidarity with the state of Israel and the Jewish people around the world,” Hagee said during his remarks.
After the event, Hagee noted “As Israel defends its citizens against a torrent of terror, the Jewish people should know that they are not alone.”
While introducing Wiesel, Hagee encouraged the crowd to read his book Night, saying that it “will change your life.”
In his remarks, Wiesel reiterated his call for Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad to be indicted by the International Criminal Court for incitement of genocide and went on to call for suicide terrorism to be declared a crime against humanity. He also thanked the audience for their strong support of Israel and the Jewish people.
“Life is not made of years but of moments, some are privileged moments and tonight I realized that I had to come here also to live a privileged moment, to be with you,” Wiesel said. “Never in the history of my people have we witnessed an event such as this.”
“During all the episodes, all the events that filled the history of my people, there were so many moments when we felt so alone… And here we are… thousands of [Christians]… saying to the Jewish people we are with you,” Wiesel said.
Following Wiesel’s remarks, Hagee distributed his ministries’ donations to representatives of the 29 Jewish and Israeli non-profits, charities and humanitarian organizations receiving funds.
After the distribution, Israel’s Minister of Infrastructure, Uzi Landau addressed the crowd, discussing the threats presently facing Israel and thanking the audience for their “steadfast support of the people of Israel.”
“We must stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons…After five years of diplomacy Iran’s nuclear capabilities have progressed too far,” Landau said “The clock is ticking. This is the last diplomatic opportunity to stop Ahmadinejad’s ambitions.” (From remarks as prepared).
The following organizations received donations: Nefesh B'Nefesh ($1,000,000), the Jewish Agency for Israel ($1,000,000), Migdal Ohr ($1,000,000), the Barzilai Medical Center ($750,000), the Western Galilee Hospital ($500,000), the Ben Yakir Youth Village ($500,000), the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity ($500,000), Netanya College ($400,000), the Or Movement ($350,000), the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston ($250,000), the Save a Child's Heart Foundation ($250,000), the Kiryat Yam Absorption Center -through the Jewish Agency for Israel- ($250,000), Ohr Torah Stone ($250,000), the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee ($250,000), Meir Panim ($250,000), Gush Katif ($200,000), the Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel ($150,000), the One Family Fund ($150,000), Gush Etzion ($150,000), Magen David Adom ($125,000), the Leo Baeck Education Center ($100,000), Ben Gurion University ($100,000), Just One Life ($100,000), Im Tirtzu ($100,000), the Shurat Hadin Israel Law Center ($100,000), Table to Table ($75,000), the Hadadi Center for Breast Cancer Survivors ($50,000), the Tikva Children's Home ($50,000), and the Hamaayan Banegev Center ($50,000).
Pastor John Hagee is also the Founder and National Chairman of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s leading Christian pro-Israel organization. CUFI has held over 100 Night to Honor Israel events in cities across the country since its inception in 2006. These events teach Christians about the importance of supporting Israel and building bridges between the Christian and Jewish communities.
CUFI is among the largest Christian grassroots organizations in the United States, spanning all fifty states and reaching millions with its message. The group’s mission is to provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church, parachurch organization, ministry or individual in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel.
John Hagee Ministries broadcasts Pastor John Hagee’s message to viewers around the globe through several of the world’s largest Christian television networks.
Christians United for Israel Holds Events in All Fifty States in a Single Day- May 19, 2009
Over 900 churches in all fifty states participated this past weekend in Christians United for Israel’s first CUFI Sunday. The same day, the nation’s leading Christian Zionist organization celebrated its one-hundredth Night to Honor Israel in Colorado Springs.
COLORADO SPRINGS On Sunday more than 1,100 churches in 49 countries, including over 900 churches in all 50 states, united in prayer and action in support of Israel during their Sunday morning services. The event, dubbed CUFI Sunday, was organized by Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation's leading Christian Zionist organization.
With so many participating churches, CUFI Sunday services varied in there specifics, but all embraced support for Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State and right to defend itself from terrorism.
“From the largest cities to the smallest towns, in mega-churches and home-churches, in every state in our great country Christians have come together to express their solid support for America’s loyal ally, Israel,” CUFI Chairman Pastor John Hagee said. “As the threats to Israel increase, our position is clear: we stand with Israel."
That evening, CUFI held its one-hundredth Night to Honor Israel, in Colorado Springs. The event featured David Brog, CUFI’s Executive Director as the keynote speaker. He was joined by special guests Rabbi Mel Glazer of Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs and Pastor George Morrison of the Faith Bible Chapel in Denver.
Nights to Honor Israel are intended to teach Christians about the importance of standing with Israel and to build bridges between the Christian and Jewish communities. Having held 100 such events just three years after CUFI’s inception was a landmark the organization’s Western Regional Coordinator Randy Neal was very proud to have reached.
“Celebrating CUFI’s one-hundredth Night to Honor Israel is significant on several fronts,” Neal said. “These events are evenings of solidarity representing tens of thousands of people locking arms and speaking with one voice in support of Israel. From Alaska to Florida and California to New York, Christians that have been praying for Israel for years are now joining together and putting their faith into action, and I am very confident that this is just the beginning.”
“I have been a pulpit Rabbi for over 35 years, and I thought that I had seen it all, but I was unprepared for the outpouring of affection for the State of Israel that I have seen from the Colorado Springs Christian community,” Rabbi Glazer said. “Christians and Jews are coming together in love and respect, to pray for Israel, to cheer its achievements, and to support its elected officials in their daily struggle to protect Israel for the next generation.”
According to David Brog, CUFI’s Executive Director, these two events sent a powerful message. "Having over nine hundred churches in every state in the union participate in CUFI Sunday and, on the very same day, to celebrate our 100th Night to Honor Israel is of deep significance. It demonstrates the breadth and depth of Christian support for Israel's right to exist and defend herself from terrorism."
While CUFI set the date for CUFI Sunday well before it was known that Prime Minister Netanyahu would be visiting with President Obama the following day, Brog saw significance in the coincidence. "This outpouring of support for Israel certainly sends a message to President Obama that millions of Christians across America are concerned about Israel's security. During the campaign, the President pledged that Israel's security is 'sacrosanct' and that a nuclear Iran is 'unacceptable.' There is clearly a very large Christian constituency in America which wants our President to keep these promises."
CUFI Sunday events were held in all fifty states in the US and on six continents in the following countries: Albania, Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Congo, the Czech Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vanuatu, Venezuela and Zambia.
Christians United for Israel, founded by Pastor John Hagee, is the nation’s leading Christian pro-Israel organization and is among the largest Christian grassroots organizations in the United States, spanning all fifty states and reaching millions with its message. CUFI’s mission is to provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church, parachurch organization, ministry or individual in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel.
Over 100,000 American Christians Signed The Israel Pledge- March 24, 2009
Pastor John Hagee, Founder and Chairman of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), presented a petition expressing solidarity with the State of Israel to members of Congress on Tuesday. The petition is signed by over 100,000 American Christians.
The text of the petition is as follows:
We believe that the Jewish people have a right to live in their ancient land of Israel, and that the modern State of Israel is the fulfillment of this historic right.
We maintain that there is no excuse for acts of terrorism against Israel and that Israel has the same right as every other nation to defend her citizens from such violent attacks.
We pledge to stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel and to speak out on their behalf whenever and wherever necessary until the attacks stop and they are finally living in peace and security with their neighbors.
CUFI leaders are scheduled to meet with several members of congress including Rep. Shelley Berkley (D- IN) and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ).
“Israel is America’s closest and most trusted ally. We are committed to steadfastly supporting the Jewish State as she fights to defend the democratic values that we all hold dear,” Hagee said. “As our leaders in Washington make decisions about American foreign policy in the Middle East, it is important for them to know that Christians across the country remain solidly committed to a strong US-Israel relationship.”
Christians United for Israel, founded by Pastor John Hagee, is the nation’s leading Christian pro-Israel organization and is among the largest Christian grassroots organizations in the United States, spanning all fifty states and reaching millions with its message. The organization has held over 80 Night to Honor Israel events in cities across the country since its inception in 2006. These events teach Christians about the importance of supporting Israel and building bridges between the Christian and Jewish communities.
CUFI’s mission is to provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church, parachurch organization, ministry or individual in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel.
Third Annual CUFI Summit Was the Largest To Date- July 2008
Christians United for Israel’s Third Annual Washington-Israel Summit was the largest and most exciting CUFI Summit to date.
Christians from all fifty states and around the world gathered in Washington, D.C. for the sole purpose of supporting the State of Israel. In these difficult economic times over 4,000 people made difficult sacrifices to come to Washington to bless Israel.
Christians United for Israel’s 2008 Washington-Israel Summit featured addresses from Pastor John Hagee, Dennis Prager, Congressman Elliot Engel (D-NY), William Kristol, Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN), Gary Bauer, Senator Rick Santorum , Daniel Pipes, Frank Gaffney, Clifford May, and many more experts on Israel and the Middle East. Randy Travis performed a special concert and sang at the National Anthem at the Night to Honor Israel.
During CUFI’s Night to Honor Israel, the Washington, D.C. Convention Center was packed with attendees waving American and Israeli flags in support of CUFI, the United States and the State of Israel. Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gillerman, Pastor John Hagee and Senator Joseph Lieberman were the keynote speakers.
Senator Lieberman opened his speech by saying "I am your brother Joseph." He went on to say “You have come to Washington as Americans of faith with a purpose. You are Christians, united for Israel. And may God bless you for, and in, your work.”
At a time when the threats to Israel are increasing, we traveled to Washington to remind our nation and that world that Israel does not and will not stand alone. The message was issued loudly and clearly. We know it will make a difference.
We'll be going back to Washington next year for our Fourth Annual Washington Israel Summit July 20 to 23, 2009. We hope you'll join us then.
Pastor Hagee and Rabbi Scheinberg Respond to Recent Controversies- May 23, 2008
Pastor Hagee's Statement
The past 24 hours have been extremely disappointing ones to me. My disappointment has nothing to do with the fact that I parted company with John McCain this was best for both of us and for the country. It is time the candidates and the media turn their attention back to the pressing issues of our day and stop focusing on what I did or did not say decades ago.
But what has been disappointing has been to see my life’s work the great passion of my life mischaracterized and attacked. I have dedicated my life to combating anti-Semitism and supporting the State of Israel. In taking a stand for Israel I have received death threats from anti-Semites and neo-Nazis, and I’ve had the windows of my car blown out beneath the windows of the rooms in which my children slept. To hear people who know nothing about me or my life’s work claim that I somehow excuse the Holocaust is simply heartbreaking.
Let me be clear -- to assert that I in any way condone the Holocaust or that monster Adolf Hitler is the worst of lies. I have always condemned the horrors of the Holocaust in the strongest of terms. But even more importantly, my abhorrence of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism has never stopped with mere words.
I have devoted most of my adult life to ensuring that there will never be a second Holocaust. I have worked tirelessly to eliminate the sin of anti-Semitism from the Christian world and to ensure the survival of the State of Israel.
I have traveled the country teaching Christians to love the Jewish people and stand with Israel. Our ministry has given over $30 million for humanitarian causes in Israel. I founded Christians United for Israel to bring together all pro-Israel Christians into a movement that can support Israel during these very challenging times.
The fact is that all people of faith have had to wrestle with the question of why a sovereign God would allow evil in the world. After Auschwitz, this question became more urgent than ever.
Many people simply could not explain how a loving God would permit such horrors. After the Holocaust, they abandoned their faith in a sovereign God who intervenes here on earth. While I disagree with this conclusion, I would never denigrate those who arrived at such a conclusion.
But I and many millions of Christians and Jews came to a different conclusion. We maintained our faith in a sovereign God who allows both the good and the evil that is in the world. We therefore search the scriptures for an explanation for that evil. We believe that the words of the Hebrew prophets such as Jeremiah may help us understand the mind of God. But our search for an explanation for evil must never be confused with an effort to excuse it.
What is more important than how we answer the question of where was God during the Holocaust is what we as men and women do here on earth to make sure that there will never be another Holocaust. We must give meaning to the words “Never Again” through our actions. It is to this effort this effort to fight anti-Semitism and to support Israel that I now return. Thank you.
Rabbi Scheinberg's Statement
I have known Pastor John Hagee for close to 30 years. Pastor Hagee is a man of G-d, a visionary leader, a person of courage and integrity, a lover of people of all faiths, an embodiment of truth, justice and kindness.
I met him in 1981, when he stood almost alone in the defense of Israel, after Israel destroyed Iraq’s nuclear reactor in 1981. At that time, while the majority of world leaders criticized Israel, Pastor Hagee declared: Israel we are with you.” He was then as today a courageous Christian, guided by an unparalleled moral compass who distinguished right from wrong, good from evil.
The same zeal and vision that moved Pastor Hagee in 1981 to stand in the defense of Israel, has moved him to strongly condemn anti-Semitism and bigotry in its forms.
Pastor Hagee is a world leader in his support of Israel. For he understands that Israel is the only nation of the world who faces extermination for being a Jewish nation, for being a democracy, for being America’s most trusted and loyal friend among the nations, He understands that no other nation in the world has yearned so much, nor given so much, nor risked so much, nor suffered so much for the cause of peace, as Israel and yet has been so criticized.
It is ironic and absurd that when Pastor was lecturing on one of the Jewish perspectives of the Holocaust that his words were twisted and used to attack him for being anti Semitic.
Pastor Hagee said nothing of the kind. Pastor interpreted a Biblical verse in a way not very different from several legitimate Jewish authorities. Viewing Hitler as acting completely outside of God’s plan is to suggest that God was powerless to stop the Holocaust, a position quite unacceptable to any religious Jew or Christian.
No less an authority than the author of the Eim Habanim Semaichah, Rabbi Yisachar Shlomo Teichtal of blessed memory wrote these words while cowering in a Budapest cellar in the very midst of Hitler’s Holocaust: “Furthermore, the sole purpose of all the afflictions that smite us in our exile is to arouse us to return to our Holy Land.”
I have seen Pastor's tears and Diana's tears at Yad Vashem. They identify and feel the pain of our people, therefore I know that of all the criticisms that Pastor has been subjected to when he stepped into a political mine field, and of all the distortions of the truth that he had to contend with, this must be the most painful, because of his love for the Jewish people and his genuine total efforts to see that never again shall the Jewish people be alone in a world of apathy, hatred and anti Semitism.
A Holocaust survivor, who lived through the death camps of Auschwitz, recently declared at the San Antonio Jewish community commemoration of Yom HaShoah:
“If during the Nazi era the world had leaders like Pastor John Hagee, 6 million Jews, among them one and a million children, wouldn’t have been brutally murdered.”
Response from Pastor Hagee to charges of "Anti-Catholicism" - March 26, 2008
I feel the need after days of media misrepresentation to respond to slanderous accusations about being a religious bigot. It is truly disappointing to me to see how quickly accusation and rumor crystallize into fact in the hands of media outlets, which do not seem interested in subjecting these claims to serious review in search of the truth.
I know that those of you here today know better than to believe everything you hear on the television or read in the newspaper. I want to thank you for your trust and your faith in me as evidenced by your many cards, letters and phone calls of support at home and across America. The main claim my critics are making is that I am anti-catholic and that I have made derogatory statements about the Catholic Church.
Anyone who knows anything about me, my life’s work and this church, knows how utterly false this accusation is. Nonetheless, let me state my position as clearly as I can. I am not now, nor have I ever been anti-Catholic. Cornerstone Church has operated a social services center for more than 20 years where we feed the hungry and clothe the needy five days a week. The vast majority of those who benefit from this ministry are Catholic.
I personally supported a convent for over ten years providing complimentary housing for elderly, retired nuns. Many of you remember the day of honor that we had for those nuns in this church for their lifetime of service to God. These are not the acts of someone who is anti-Catholic. I have dedicated most of my adult life to eradicating anti-Semitism from Christianity.
As part of this effort, I have criticized the past anti-Semitism of the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church. In fact, I rarely speak about Christian anti-Semitism without denouncing the founder of Protestantism, Martin Luther, whose book, “concerning the Jews and their lies” was a poisoned well of anti-Semitism. Calling Christians to account for our past anti-Semitism does not make me anti-Catholic and it does not make me Anti-Protestant. It simply makes me an opponent of anti-Semitism.
Throughout my life, I have often taught from the Book of Revelation. During these teachings, I have read to you the Apostle John’s writings about the great whore of Revelation 17. In my writings, I have never stated that the great whore is the Catholic Church. Quite to the contrary, the Book Revelation teaches clearly that the great whore will be an apostate church made up of all Christians from all denominations that stray from the path of God and embrace a godless lifestyle including the sin of anti-Semitism.
The media attacks have expanded to include the accusation that I am also anti-gay. The Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is not a righteous lifestyle. But this doesn’t mean that I and the millions of other bible-believing Christians are hateful toward the gay community. The Bible teaches that there are many sins and that all of us are guilty of committing sin at some point in time.
Does this mean that I hate you, that I hate myself or anyone who comes short of the Glory of God? No, on the contrary. Christ teaches us to love one another, as I have loved you. We follow Christ’ example; we hate the sin and we love the sinner. As most of you know, two years ago, I founded Christians United for Israel. I believed then and believe now that Israel’s friends dare not be silent when Israel is facing such serious threats to her existence.
Ever since I started speaking out for Israel, I have come under intense scrutiny and increasing attack. I did not plan to spend this period of my life in the middle of a political fire storm. Rest assured I will not shrink from our work on behalf of Israel.
I will continue to stand with Israel in the future. (Applause) Thank you very much. Thank you.
It is the work of God for such a time as this. I will continue to preach an uncompromising Gospel and continue to speak out when I feel that my love for America and the State of Israel and the Jewish people deserve it, even when it is not politically correct. I want to thank you all for your confidence in me and your support of me. It means more to me than you know. I have received many messages of support from church members, ministry partners, political leaders, and friends in the community and from across America.
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Christians United For Israel Schedules Historic 10 Day Trip To Israel- February 7, 2008
Pastor John Hagee will be leading over a thousand s of Christians through the streets of Jerusalem at the CUFI Jerusalem Summit on April 6, 2008.
Christians United for Israel, (CUFI) is proud to announce the first ever Jerusalem Summit and Unity WalkIsrael mission. Lead by national chairman, Pastor John Hagee, CUFI leaders will be bringing over one thousand Christians to tour Israel and to demonstrate their solidarity with the Jewish State. Lead by national chairman, Pastor John Hagee, the summit will take place On April 6th the CUFI delegation will be holding a Night to Honor Israel at the Jerusalem convention center with guest speaker Benjamin Netanyahu. On Aptil and 7th CUFI will be holding a solidarity march through the streets of Jerusalem. This event marks the first time in CUFI history that the organization will be bringing members on a mission to Israel to show their support.
“We want to show the people of Israel that they are not alone. we believe in their right to existence and a peaceful Middle East. We know that G-d believes in and will always fight for the people of Israel. I want to join hands with the Government of Israel and share with them the hardship of their tasks We know that these days Israelis feel surrounded, beseiged, and isolated. We think it’s extremely important that we come to Israel ourselves to demonstrate loudly and clearly that Israel has millions of Christian friends who will stand with her as she confronts the ongoing efforts to destroy her,” said Pastor Hagee when asked why he was leading over a thousands of Christians to the Holy Land.
CUFI will host a Middle East Intelligence briefing from top Israeli officials and experts on the current situation in the Middle East Christians from all across the United States will walk march through the streets of Jerusalem together in the CUFI Jerusalem Unity Rally Walk. The Rally Walk will culminate in a special CUFI salute to Israel’s 60th Birthday. While in Israel, Pastor Hagee and CUFI executive director David Brog will be holding an event at the Menechem Begin Center to launch the sale of the Hebrew translations of their recent books. announcing the publication of their new books in Hebrew. Both books are about the Christian obligation to support Israel and the special relationship between Christian Zionists and Israel.
More on Christians United For Israel:
CUFI is a national Christian grassroots movement focused on one issue: supporting Israel. CUFI’s membership is rapidly growing and changing the nature of support for Israel in America. As a grassroots movement, members organize symbolic acts of support such as a “Night to Honor Israel” event in their own communities. The 2nd Annual Israel/Washington, D.C. Summit on July 16-18, 2007 gathered all 4,500 supporters to speak to their elected officials about the imperatives of supporting Israel.
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Second Annual CUFI Summit Was A Monumental Success- July 25, 2007
Washington, DC July 16-19, 2007 Christians United for Israel, also referred to as CUFI (www.cufi.org), is hosting their 2nd annual Israel/Washington, DC Summit proposed to allow supporters to express their Biblical position on Israel. The four day conference will be held at the Washington Convention Center at 801 Mount Vernon Place, in NW Washington, DC. CUFI was formed to bring all pro-Israel churches, ministries, and individuals together to stand up for Israel and the Jewish population with a strong voice.
The 2nd annual Israel/Washington, DC Summit is an example of the CUFI advantage of unity. The summit schedule begins with a Chairman’s Club Donors Dinner where Sen. Joseph Lieberman will speak to top CUFI donors and will be accompanied by a musical performance by Randy Travis.
The next two days will include a Middle East Intelligence Briefing and several informative seminars as well as evening dinners and activities. The featured speakers at these events will include: Newt Gingrich, Pastor John Hagee, former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and author Dore Gold.
The last day of the summit kicks off Christians United for Israel Day at Capitol Hill. All attendees will get a chance to meet with their elected officials and present their Biblical positions on Israel.
More on Christians United For Israel:
CUFI is a national Christian grassroots movement focused on one issue: supporting Israel. As a premier organization, CUFI’s membership is rapidly growing and changing the nature of support for Israel in America. As a grassroots movement, members organize symbolic acts of support such as a “Night to Honor Israel” event in their own communities. The 2nd Annual Israel/Washington, DC Summit on July 16-18, 2007 is proposed to gather all supporters to speak to their elected officials about the imperatives of supporting Israel.
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Announcement about Second Annual CUFI Summit- July 16, 2007
Washington, DC July 16-19, 2007 Christians United for Israel, also referred to as CUFI (www.cufi.org), is hosting their 2nd annual Israel/Washington, DC Summit proposed to allow supporters to express their Biblical position on Israel. The four day conference will be held at the Washington Convention Center at 801 Mount Vernon Place, in NW Washington, DC. CUFI was formed to bring all pro-Israel churches, ministries, and individuals together to stand up for Israel and the Jewish population with a strong voice.
The 2nd annual Israel/Washington, DC Summit is an example of the CUFI advantage of unity. The summit schedule begins with a Chairman’s Club Donors Dinner where Sen. Joseph Lieberman will speak to top CUFI donors and will be accompanied by a musical performance by Randy Travis.
The next two days will include a Middle East Intelligence Briefing and several informative seminars as well as evening dinners and activities. The featured speakers at these events will include: Newt Gingrich, Pastor John Hagee, former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and author Dore Gold.
The last day of the summit kicks off Christians United for Israel Day at Capitol Hill. All attendees will get a chance to meet with their elected officials and present their Biblical positions on Israel.
More on Christians United For Israel:
CUFI is a national Christian grassroots movement focused on one issue: supporting Israel. As a premier organization, CUFI’s membership is rapidly growing and changing the nature of support for Israel in America. As a grassroots movement, members organize symbolic acts of support such as a “Night to Honor Israel” event in their own communities. The 2nd Annual Israel/Washington, DC Summit on July 16-18, 2007 is proposed to gather all supporters to speak to their elected officials about the imperatives of supporting Israel.
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Dr. Jerry Falwell- A Pionner of Christian Zionism- May 16, 2007
On Tuesday, May 15, Dr. Jerry Falwell went to his reward in heaven. With his passing, the nation has lost a wonderful man of God and an important Christian leader. In addition, we in the Christian Zionist world lost one of our pioneers and leading lights.
When I was deciding whether to create Christians United for Israel , I called Dr. Falwell for his guidance. Dr. Falwell not only encouraged me to create CUFI in the strongest terms, but he pledged his full support. And Dr. Falwell kept this pledge. He served on CUFI’s Executive Board from day one and, despite his health challenges, he traveled to Washington , DC last July to participate in our first Washington , DC summit.
Supporting Israel was hardly new for Dr. Falwell. When he created the Moral Majority in 1979, he declared that one of its founding principles was to provide “support for Israel and Jewish people everywhere.” In the early 1980’s, Dr. Falwell reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin when much of the American political establishment was shunning Begin. This odd couple, a Southern Baptist preacher and a Polish Holocaust survivor, became fast friends and remained close until Begin’s death.
When asked why he supported Israel so strongly, Dr. Falwell often mentioned Israel ’s democracy and the fact that Israel was a strong American ally in both the Cold War and the War against Terror. Dr. Falwell was also fond of quoting Genesis 12:3. As he once correctly noted:
I firmly believe God has blessed America because America has blessed the Jew. If this nation wants her fields to remain white with grain, her scientific achievements to remain notable, and her freedom to remain intact, America must continue to stand with Israel .
In 2002, Dr. Falwell was interviewed for a segment that 60 Minutes was doing on Christian Zionism. With all of the challenges facing Christians in those days, Dr. Falwell made his top priority crystal clear. He looked in the camera and declared:
There’s nothing that would bring the wrath of the Christian public in this country down on this government like abandoning or opposing Israel in a critical matter.
As we mourn Dr. Jerry Falwell’s passing, let us remember his example. Let us remember what he taught us about the need for Christians to speak out on the urgent issues of our time. And let us remember that he always placed Israel at the forefront of these issues.
-John Hagee
Contact Ari Morgenstern at 30 Point Strategies- (404) 898-1278 or ari@30point.com
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