Over Seventy Faith Leaders Speak out for the return of hostages, supplemental aid, defunding UNRWA and the fight against antisemitism
WASHINGTON (Feb. 6 2024) – On Jan. 31, over 70 rabbis, pastors, and other Jewish and Christian leaders met with nearly 30 members of Congress to stress the urgent need to move past politics and provide critical support for Israel on a number of levels.
Many expressed appreciation to the organizers for the opportunity to do more to stand with Israel during this difficult time, including pastor Jonathan Avendano of the Hispanic Pastors Alliance, who said, “The Hispanic Church, we’re not just hungry, we are starving to do something more.”
Leaders met with lawmakers in both the House and Senate and both sides of the aisle, having appointments with conservative Republicans such as Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) and progressive Democrats such as Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY). The goal of the meetings was to refocus congressional attention on Israel’s urgent need for supplemental aid, which many in the delegation feared was getting lost among other issues more than 130 days after the October 7 attack. Rabbi Benzion Klatzko of New York commented, “It is said that time heals all wounds, but time does not make evil less evil. The same evil that existed 130 days ago is the same evil that exists today. What I loved about today was that we spoke with one clear voice. We must hold on to love and moral virtue by understanding the world through God’s eyes. Good is eternally good and moral is moral. Evil can never be tolerated, and the passage of time since October 7, 2023 doesn’t change or lessen its sinister impact on this world.”
The delegation asked that Congress provide vital security aid for Israel in the wake of Hamas’ unprovoked assault on the Jewish state and reject efforts to precondition funding to Israel by pressing them into negotiations they are not comfortable with, including recent efforts to threaten slowing weapons deliveries to Israel to coerce them into scaling back operations in Gaza. They also reminded Congress that 130 hostages, six of them American, are still enduring unspeakable abuse in Gaza and encouraged them to advocate for their release without preconditions. The faith leaders urged a complete cessation of funding to UNRWA unless massive reforms are undertaken by the agency where 12 staffers were found to have participated in the October 7 massacre. Additionally, the group brought attention to the unprecedented increase in antisemitism in the United States, encouraging lawmakers to support efforts to investigate and deter antisemitic violence.
Dr. Susan Michael, director of ACLI and the International Christian Embassy’s U.S. branch reflected on the gathering, sharing, “We were so overwhelmed by the warmth and unity we felt as we walked the halls of Congress with our Jewish counterparts. This is a game-changing moment in the history of Jewish-Christian relations, and we’re so excited about all the good that can come about as we continue to work together.”
Bishop Robert Stearns of Eagles’ Wings agreed, commenting, “We have here a gathering of Jewish and Christian leaders who have had to overcome two millennia of distance, and so I think it’s important for us to pause and recognize that we’re in a sacred moment today.”
Jordanna McMillan, US Director of the Israel Allies Foundation, noted, “The Israel Allies Foundation is encouraged by the unity we see in Congress over support for Israel and thank legislators on both sides of the aisle for standing with the U.S.’s strongest ally in the middle-east, Israel. We are also grateful for each of these pastors and rabbis who dropped everything to come to D.C. on short notice and advocate together on Israel’s behalf. It was an honor to be a part of this coalition, and I believe this is the start of something significant.”
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt of the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition thanked the participants, saying, “You have no idea how comforting it is to us to know that we are not alone. First, it’s inexplicable that Hamas terrorists would attack, rape, pillage, and slaughter Jews, and somehow the outcome is antisemitism instead of greater empathy and understanding, but you go against that trend, and you were here as allies, as friends, and as supporters. We stood together today for truth and justice. It is wonderful to have you as our partners.”
A few days later, on Saturday, February 3, Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House will vote on a “clean standalone” Israel aid bill this week. Dr. Susan Michael applauded the announcement: “We’re thankful for Speaker Johnson’s taking the initiative to move this forward and grateful for the opportunity to stand with the Jewish community and speak to our elected officials with a united voice on Israel’s behalf.”
About the Israel Allies Foundation
Founded in 2007, the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) works to educate and empower pro-Israel, faith-based legislators worldwide who share a belief that the State of Israel has the right to exist in peace within secure borders. Today, the IAF coordinates the work of 53 Israel Allies Caucuses around the world. This network includes the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus, and the European Union Parliamentary Israel Allies Caucus among others.
About the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition
As a diverse group of hundreds of rabbis from all movements and denominations in North America, we express our commitment to the unity of the Jewish people and affirm our unbreakable bond with and support for the State of Israel.
About American Christian Leaders for Israel
American Christian Leaders for Israel seeks to provide a unified voice of truth to the American public in support of Israel and the Jewish people and on behalf of the tens of millions of American Christians we collectively represent. ACLI is a project of the U.S. Branch of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem.
About Eagles’ Wings
Eagles’ Wings is a global movement advancing three biblical mandates: Actively praying and working for a just and lasting peace for Jerusalem and all her inhabitants; Renewing the importance of spiritual community; and fostering understanding across cultural divides.
About the Jerusalem Connection
The Jerusalem Connection, International is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to glorify the name of Yaweh, serve as advocates for Christian Zionism and inform, educate, and activate support for Israel and the Jewish people.
About he National Hispanic Pastors Alliance
We are an alliance of Hispanic Pastors of Christian denominations and organizations working together to represent the voice of the Hispanic Christian Church to government and authorities in matters relevant to our faith and values and its relationship to society at large.
