Three years ago today, Israel and her people endured the most horrific acts of terror in the nation’s modern history on October 7, 2023. The Holy Land held its National Day of Remembrance earlier this week, but Jews and Christians in the U.S. and around the world are taking today to remember the more than 1,200 victims, the 251 people who were kidnapped, and the countless lives and communities that continue to be affected.
JNS reports that Israel’s envoy to the Christian world George Deek praised the Flags of Fellowship movement ahead of the annual Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit.
Three years after October 7, to see millions of Christians around the world publicly raise Israel’s flag is a powerful reminder that friendship can speak louder than hatred. More than 5.2 million Israeli flags, over 4,375 churches, universities and organizations, in 14 countries. WOW.
At a time when Israel and the Jewish people have faced extraordinary hatred, millions of Christians are choosing something different: friendship, remembrance and solidarity. I am deeply grateful to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, to Yael Eckstein, and to every pastor, church and community taking part in this remarkable initiative.
To our Christian friends around the world: thank you for standing with Israel. We see you. We appreciate you. And we will never take your friendship for granted.
The Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit will run through October 11, coinciding with Flags of Fellowship. More than 1,000 Christian leaders and influencers from 117 countries arrived in Israel on Monday for the second consecutive year of the summit. Around 300 of the participants are between the ages of 18 and 29. Summit founder Mike Evans says he hopes young Christians will see Israel for themselves and hear directly from those affected by October 7.
Much like Flags of Fellowship, the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit carries the powerful message that Israel does not stand alone, building connections based on truth, courage, and a determination to confront anti-Semitism.
The Fellowship and our supporters pray for the families and remember the victims of October 7 alongside the 4,375 churches and synagogues around the world participating in Flags of Fellowship and the Christian ambassadors who have just arrived in Israel.