The Israeli Initiative: 'Then they said among the nations'

In October of 2001, Rehavam Ze’evi, the former Israeli Minister of Tourism was assassinated at a hotel in Jerusalem. It was under these devastating circumstances that I assumed the position of Minister of Tourism. The city centers had been abandoned, and the people of Israel found themselves victims of a terrorist war directed against the civilian population. The tourism industry was devastated, which only contributed to the already damaged economy. Every facet of life in Israel was difficult. Our spirits were broken, our streets were empty and our very existence was threatened. It was then, in one of our darkest hours that Christians stood their ground and came up to Jerusalem.

I will never forget Succot that year, when thousands of Christians marched in the streets of Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. Shopkeepers who had been struggling to stay in business were amazed at this sight. They asked the Christian pilgrims how they had the courage to come to Israel at such a difficult time. The visitors responded that they had come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles in fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by Zachariah, that all nations will come up to celebrate the feast of tabernacles (14:16). They also said that they refused to allow evil, specifically in the form of terrorism, to stand between them and Israel. 

This act of bravery taught me to appreciate the deep kinship between Christians and the people of Israel. Since then, I have become actively involved in working with Christian groups who love Israel. I even, took on the role of chairman of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus.

Twenty- eight years ago, when all other embassies were leaving Jerusalem, the International Christian Embassy opened its doors in Jerusalem, making a statement for all the world to see. The ICEJ hosts the largest annual tourist event in Israel, the Feast of Tabernacles. They have demonstrated almost three decades of faithful friendship to Israel without strings attached. They even require all Christians to sign a contract denouncing missionary activity before allowing them to participate as vendors at their events. We at the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus as well, do not hide our refusal to cooperate with Christians active in missionary work amongst Jews.

I am of course, aware of all the difficult baggage we carry from our shared past as Christians and Jews, from both our distant and more recent history. But we must recognize that our greatest threat is no longer coming from the Christian world but rather from radical Islam. Amalek has taken the form of incitement in mosques in Iran and Iraq. They have become the angry Muslim youth rioting in the streets of Damascus and Beirut screaming “death to the Jews”. Amalek is Ahmadinejad, who threatens to wipe Israel off the map. No one gave me permission to forgive the Christians for past aggressions on behalf of the people of Israel but we must recognize that they are our only allies in the struggle against radical Islam.

It is because of this that I call on Israel’s Chief Rabbis to not permit “the little foxes” to mislead you and “to spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in bloom”.  I expect our leaders, and particularly our spiritual leaders, to be able to differentiate between friend and foe. Between opposition to missionary activity amongst Jews and opposition based on xenophobia directed at all Christians that love Israel, especially when this opposition is based on pseudo-Halakhik and pseudo-historic justifications. 

It is important to build good relations with Christian communities around the world, with their spiritual leaders and political representatives. We are not building these relations only to be Politically Correct. Of course, it is important for Israel to have strong support from a number of points of view– security, tourism, and economics and so on.  Yet, we cannot ignore that on a deeper level it is important to also be “Biblically Correct”. This new relationship carries us forward into a new stage in the life of our nation. A stage called for both by the Prophets and in our prayers: Israel as “A Light unto the Nations”, and Jerusalem as a Center of Influence for all peoples.  “When God brought back those that returned to Zion, we were like unto them that dream. . .  . then said they among the nations: 'God has done great things for them'."