Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on February 27, 2013

On a crisp winter morning in Jerusalem, a group of American Christian leaders with Bibles under their arms walk the hilltop where many believe King David first established the Jewish capital some 3,000 years ago.

As they make their way along the rocky paths of the City of David, a vast archaeological dig still in process, a radio host with 70,000 listeners tweets every step of the way while an Anglican pastor with an Israeli flag on his iPhone screen says hes absolutely hoping to bring a group of his own next year. Though the dig weaves through, and sometimes under, the homes of disgruntled Palestinian residents in this highly contested part of East Jerusalem, no one mentions that another people also lay claim to this holy city.

Many of these influential Christians, brought over by the Chicago branch of Israels Ministry of Tourism, plan to bring their many followers here or already have. They are part of a growing band of Christians around the world who see support for Israel as a divine calling, some of whom are motivated by apocalyptic urgency.

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Increasingly, Israel is not only cultivating their love of the Holy Land but also courting their political support, with some proponents calling such faith-based diplomacy the most powerful weapon in Israels diplomatic arsenal though its precise capabilities and range remain to be fully proven.

You folks here are the best offense and defense we could ever have, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat told an overflow crowd at the seventh annual Night to Honor Our Christian Allies, held last month at the citys prestigious King David Hotel. Enjoy the city of Jerusalem and go back home as strong ambassadors of the state of Israel and the city of Jerusalem."

While this largely evangelical movement is most well organized in the US, its most rapid growth is coming from developing countries like Brazil and Nigeria, which have not traditionally supported the Jewish state. Israel, very much conscious of the welcome support this could yield in forums like the United Nations, is tapping into the shared religious heritage of Judaism and Christianity to boost everything from tourism to Israels standing on the world stage.

"There is a new dynamic taking place in our world where [Christian supporters] are growing in a dramatic way, who are standing with the nation of Israel like never before, said Jrgen Bhler, executive director of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, which has expanded to 80 branches around the world since its inception in 1980. I believe this meeting today in Jerusalem in a way symbolizes, encapsulates, this dynamic movement that is taking place, that a new breed of Christianity is growing up which will stand with the nation of Israel no matter what."

GROWTH IN EVANGELICAL PROTESTANTS

The growth in supporters from developing countries is the result of two unrelated phenomenon, says David Brog, executive director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Youre getting a growth of the potential base and then youre getting an increasing percentage of the actual base expressing support for Israel, says Mr. Brog. Those two phenomenon are responsible for expressions of support from countries that have been fairly neutral or silent, such as Brazil, South Korea, and Nigeria.

See more here:
Israel wields Bible's soft power as far afield as Brazil

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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