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Christians, Jews Unite at D.C. Pro-Israel Summit

By Erick Stakelbeck
CBN News

CBN.com – WASHINGTON - With Israel facing perhaps the greatest threat to its existence, many Christians in America are wondering how they can help the Jewish state.

This week in Washington, thousands of Christians and Jews are banding together to do just that.

With Hezbollah firing Iranian and Syrian-supplied rockets throughout northern Israel and international condemnation building against Israel’s response, it seems that other than President Bush, Israel has very few allies right now.

But Tuesday night in Washington, thousands of Christians and Jews gathered to prove that idea wrong. The first annual Christians United for Israel Summit played host to an overflow crowd with one unified message: Israel is not alone.

Rev. John Hagee, pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio and author of the book, Jerusalem Countdown, hosted the event.

“We organized Christians United for Israel for the purpose of giving every pro-Israel church and Christian in America the opportunity to speak up and stand up for Israel,” said Hagee. “Christians have a Bible mandate to support Israel materially, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in Psalm 22, and to stand up and speak up for Israel in Isaiah 62.”

Hagee says that Israel is currently facing the most formidable array of enemies it has ever seen. He and others at the event, including the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. and Republican Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), agreed that Iran is the greatest threat facing Israel and the world today.

With that in mind, Christians from every state who've gathered for the summit are meeting this week with U.S. senators and congressmen in Washington, urging them to stand with Israel.

“Christians understand that the threats facing Israel today are the same threats facing America today. Israel's enemies are America's enemies,” said David Brog, executive director of Christians United for Israel.

But former Israeli General Shimon Erem says there's an even greater reason to support Israel.

“Why support Israel? Well, there are many reasons,” Erem said. “There are biblical reasons, etc. But, I think one of the main reasons should be that we are on the side of God -- and God supports Israel.”

Hagee said this event is only the beginning. He's planning a national night to honor Israel in cities across America. And judging by the turnout at this gathering, he'll have plenty of support from Christians and Jews.

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