showed their solidarity with Israel during a special service Sunday.
On the second annual Christians United for Israel (CUFI)
Sunday, congregations prayed for the peace of Jerusalem and pastors dedicated
their sermons to explaining why Christians should support the Jewish nation.
Organized by Texas pastor John Hagee, founder of CUFI, the event drew
participants from all 50 states and 50 nations.
“Israel is an outpost of freedom and democracy in one of
the most undemocratic regions in the world,” Hagee said after the event. “Now is the time for
Israel’s supporters, regardless of faith or political ideology, to unite in
standing with Israel as she confronts such serious threats from Hezbollah,
Hamas and Iran.”
Hagee said Israel is in more danger than ever, as the
nation faces the threat of a “nuclear holocaust” from Iran, whose president has
said Israel should be wiped off the map. But he said “making matters worse” is the fact that the Obama
administration seems to be wavering in its support for the Jewish nation since
Israel announced plans to build in disputed land in east Jerusalem last March.
“Washington has manufactured a crisis with Israel over
building homes for Jewish people in Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem,
something no other American administration has ever done,” Hagee said in a video
message before the event. “Now there is talk the administration will impose a
peace settlement on the parties whether or not the Israelis believe their
security is guaranteed. In my 30 years as a Zionist there has never been a more
critical hour for Israel than right now.”
Members of the participating churches were encouraged to
sign a pledge posted at CUFI’s website. The statement affirms that the Jewish
people have a right to live in their ancient land of Israel, that Israel has a
right to defend itself against acts of terrorism, and that Christians will
speak out on Israel’s behalf “whenever and wherever necessary until the attacks
stop and they are finally living in peace and security with their
neighbors.”
CUFI Sunday is part of a series of A Night to Honor Israel
events being held in churches throughout the year. So far, 146 such events have been held nationwide.
“CUFI is just 4 years old, but since our inception, we have
seen that Christians across the country and around the world are eager to learn
about and act on the biblical and historical mandates for Christian Zionism,”
said CUFI Executive Director David Brog.
“Israel needs support now more than ever,” Brog added. “I am very proud
that CUFI is playing an ever-increasing role in making that happen.”
CUFI will host a summit in Washington, D.C., July 20-22
aimed at lobbying members of Congress to stand with Israel and urge the Obama
administration to maintain the United States’ historic support for the Jewish
nation.
