Israel attracted 5,000 people to its Sixth Annual Washington, D.C., summit, making
the three-day event the group’s largest-ever.
The
Summit included a series of educational sessions, speeches from prominent
pro-Israel national and international figures, and a live satellite address
from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Summit’s Night to Honor Israel
featured remarks from Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren, CUFI Founder and Chairman pastor John Hagee and a keynote address from national radio and
television personality Glenn Beck.
Beck gave an impassioned and stirring
speech expressing steadfast support for Israel. “Each of us will be
judged as a people and a nation by how we treat Israel,” he said.
And to the world’s anti-Semites,
Beck’s message was unequivocal. “If a despised regime has the right
to kill Jews and frighten those who stand with them, I declare, count me a Jew
and come for me first! When we all stand together, when we all raise our
hands, we change the world. They cannot kill all of us. Let us declare: ‘I am a
Jew.’”
Following two days of pro-Israel
education and advocacy-training, CUFI delegates went to Capitol Hill and held
hundreds of meetings with their elected representatives in Washington,
including with the Congressional leadership offices on both sides of the aisle
in both houses. The CUFI delegates asked their elected officials to
oppose the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state at the United Nations,
and to support security aid to Israel and tougher sanctions against Iran.
“It is imperative that the
Christian community let their representatives in Washington know that our
support for Israel is unwavering. Both Democrats and Republicans must be aware
that we are absolutely committed to keeping the U.S.-Israel relationship
strong, and ensuring that Israel has the resources, diplomatic support and
borders necessary for its defense,” Hagee said.
During the conference the group also
announced that it now has more than 725,000 members. In his remarks, Beck
announced that he too would be joining the Christian Zionist group.
“Our growth has been exceptional
and it continues unabated,” said David Brog, CUFI’s executive
director. “The halls of the Congressional office buildings were crowded
with CUFI activists waiting to meet with their elected leaders. I am extremely
pleased both with the reception we received and the impact we are clearly
having on the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
