A delegation of Christian parliamentarians from around the world whose
countries have formed pro-Israel parliamentary
lobbies gathered Thursday on Capitol Hill in an
effort to buttress support for the State of
Israel across the globe.
Christians march in support of
Israel (illustrative).
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski [file]
The two-day conference, which was hosted by
the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus, brought
together pro-Israel lawmakers from nine
countries around the world whose parliaments
have formed alliances with the Knesset's
increasingly-influential Christian Allies
Caucus, which works to garner Christian support
for
Israel worldwide.
"If you have legislators speaking up and
getting engaged, then you have a profound impact
on national politics," said US Rep Dave Weldon
(R- Florida), co-chairman of the US
Congressional Caucus.
Weldon said that the aim of the bipartisan
American caucus, which was established last year
in the wake of the powerful Knesset lobby, was
to bring about grass-root support for Israel
globally on a nation by nation level through
dialogue and education.
The event, Israel at 60 and Looking Forward,
comes at a time of burgeoning relations between
Israel and the largely supportive evangelical
Christian community around the world.
In all, the cross-party Israeli parliamentary
caucus has formed - or is in the process of
establishing - sister caucuses with 13 countries
around the world, including the US, Canada,
Uruguay, Brazil, South Korea, The Philippines,
Malawi, Japan, Switzerland, South Africa,
England, Norway and, most recently, Germany.
"Christianity is rooted in Judaism and we
cannot separate ourselves from our roots," said
South African MP Rev. Kenneth Meshoe, the
president of the African Christian Democratic
Party, who is planning to launch an Israel
caucus in the South African parliament in the
coming months.
"Many Christians in South Africa fear
speaking out for what we believe in and what our
convictions are, and so there is a real need in
our country for a caucus to stand up in defense
of Israel," he said.
"We are trying to teach our people how to
preserve the history of the people of Israel and
help them be strong as a nation," said Manoel
Ferreira, a member of the Brazilian
parliamentary lobby who is also a pastor of a
church with six million members.
"The Bible teaches us that we must bless the
people of Israel," he said.
The chairman of the Canada-Israel
inter-parliamentary group, which includes both
Christians and Jews, said that it was logical
for Israel to reach out to evangelicals, who are
among Israel's strongest supporters, as the
country struggles to deal with fateful and
existential challenges and threats.
"These are complex issues which are not
amenable to superficial solutions to which
people from afar want to apply 'band-aid
solutions,'" Canadian MP Dr. James Lunney said.
"Illusions ultimately lead to
disappointments," he added. "If there is a just
solution than it has to be based on history and
truth."
"We have a lot of work to do to
counter-balance the pro-Palestinian attitude of
both the Swiss government and public opinion,"
said Giovanni Isella, a former chairman of the
Swiss Christian Political Party, who hopes to
launch a pro-Israel parliamentary lobby in
Switzerland this summer.
"We want to bring about a change and we have
the faith that we can do it," he said.
The Capitol Hill conference, which is being
attended by MK Benny Elon (NRP/NU), who
spearheaded Israel's relations with the
evangelical Christian world, and MK Amira Dotan
(Kadima), will include a discussion Thursday on
the peace process with the Palestinians with
Israeli Ambassador to the US Sallai Meridor, as
well as a session on the controversial role of
UNRWA in dealing with Palestinian refugees.
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