Believing
it to be a pillar of both the Jewish and Christian faiths that the Land
of Israel and its eternal capital, Jerusalem, are the inheritance of
the Jewish people forever, and wishing to take concrete steps to
support this just and righteous truth, we pledge to petition our
government to take the following three steps on behalf of Israel and
the cause of peace in the Middle East and the world.
In
accordance with the provisions of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995
enacted by the U.S. Congress, build a new embassy in Jerusalem within
two years, in acknowledgment of the eternal truth that an undivided
Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people.
Vigorously
work for the resettlement of the Palestinian refugees to the lands of
their Arab kinsmen in order to rescue them from the purgatory of
refugee status and restore to them the hope of a better future.
Demand
the Palestinian Authority disarm the terrorists in their midst, and
halt all violence, propaganda, and incitement against the people of
Israel, failing which the Oslo Agreements shall be null and void.
We
hereby agree and declare that the Land of Israel is promised by God to
the Jewish people. We oppose any policy that fails to take God’s word
into account and attempts to separate the Jewish people from the Land
of Israel. We believe such policies will serve only to hinder the
establishment of a just and lasting peace between the people of Israel
and the Arab nations.
Signed in the City of Fort Worth, in the State of Texas, in the United States of America, this 4th day of September, 2005
As the Jewish nation prepares for Pesach, a new Israeli government has recently taken office. The new government won’t be afforded much breathing room as it faces immediate complex challenges on both the economic and geo-strategic plains. We, and all those to whom the state of Israel is near and dear, are hoping that the new government will succeed in dealing with the current issues. The shift of the political balance to the right has given hope that there will be a re-evaluation of the country’s present strategy regarding the Palestinian issue. Since the Oslo accords, we have witnessed successive governments lead Israel down an extremely dangerous path whose consequences and repercussions have become increasingly damaging to Israel and its populace. Parochialism and shortsightedness of policymakers have tarnished Israel’s image as a strong country and a force to be reckoned with. Moreover, Israel’s deterrent capability has been weakened in the eyes of its enemies, which jeopardizes the country’s very existence. As the government was being assembled, it seemed that the commitment to the two-state solution was the key sticking point between right wing and left wing parties. Tzipi Livni adamantly refused to join the Netanyahu government, citing the two-state solution ... more»
Etgar Lefkovits The newly appointed chairman of the Knesset's Christian Allies Caucus, Israel Beiteinu MK David Rotem, said Thursday that he hopes to broaden Israel's connection with Christian supporters of Israel around the world.
The 60-year-old father of five, who has served as an active member of the cross-parliamentary caucus since he first entered the Knesset two years ago, replaces former MK Benny Elon, who is taking a break from politics.
"Relations on the basis of religious love can attain political support which we so need," said Rotem who lives in the West Bank settlement of Efrat and who, like his predecessor, is religious.
The increasingly-influential parliamentary lobby has come to epitomize Israel's newfound interest in garnering the support of the Christian world, especially from the largely pro-Israel evangelical Christian community, at a time when radical Islam is on the rise. Original Sourcemore»
Interview: 'The Right is not emotionally mature enough to realize and understand the importance of diplomacy'
Etgar Lefkovits
'The Greeks have their tragedies, but for me there are just challenges," MK Benny Elon said this week.
The prominent hawkish chairman of the Moledet faction of the National Union/National Religious Party - who entered the Knesset in 1996, during the heyday of the failed Oslo Accords - is taking a "break" from parliamentary life. This comes on the heels of his having been given an unrealistic slot on the list of the newly formed right-wing party, Habayit Hayehudi, despite his popularity among party voters.
"On a public level, it saddens me to see politicians fighting instead of unifying," Elon said in an interview in his Knesset office this week.
The 54-year-old rabbi-turned-politician, who is known for thinking big and out of the box, said that he was not willing to end his 12-year political career - which included unifying the Rightist bloc under a single umbrella before the last elections - as a result of splits in a small party or Knesset faction.
"For me, the point is not remaining in my [Knesset] seat," Elon said. "That is not what I ... more»
For more information, please contact Amanda Flaks, Director of Political Affairs and Religious Outreach for the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta 404.487.6515 or email. ::
Dear Religious Leaders,
Please view the below article about Christians in Israeli Politics. It is a great example of the growing partnerships between Jews and Christians in Israel.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any comments, questions or concerns. The Consulate General of Israel is always excited to work in partnership with your community- just let us know how we can help!
Best regards,
Amanda Veazey Flaks Director of Political Affairs and Religious Outreach Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast
Knesset Christian Allies Caucus marks its fifth anniversary
30 January 2009 from the Jerusalem Post Etgar Lefkovits
The Knesset's Christian Allies Caucus is marking five years of operation this month by redoubling its efforts to direct Christian faith-based support for Israel to legislatures around the ... more»
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS The religious Right in Israel will be dealt a harsh political blow in the upcoming elections as a result of the infighting among their MKs, MK Benny Elon said Wednesday. Benny Elon. Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski Slideshow: Pictures of the week Elon, a prominent right-wing lawmaker and party leader, who was at the forefront of the move to unite the right-wing political parties before the last national elections, will not be running in the February 10 elections after he was placed very low on the candidate list of the new Habayit Hayehudi Party. "As someone who led the religious Zionist public to unity, I am not ready to end my political career with divisions," Elon told The Jerusalem Post at his Knesset office. "It pains me, on a public level, to see politicians fighting among each other instead of unifying," he said. Nevertheless, Elon said that there was "no choice" behind the break-up within the new party, whose council, he said, did not build a united front but only succeeded in creating a great split. Original Sourcemore»
| This Knesset conference has been equally historic and prophetic as the First Assembly. And even though there is much behind-the-scenes opposition, I encourage the leadership to persevere with future Assemblies despite the criticisms from anybody who does not, at this point in time, understand the bigger picture. . . . We should not be daunted that just a few brave souls, a Gideon’s Army, have been granted the honor to plan and to attend this historic Assembly. We are not daunted because we know. . . the work of God is never accomplished by the great masses of people. . . . but by visionaries. It was a visionary, Theodor Herzl, aided by an Anglican priest, who was God’s instrument to resurrect the Jewish state. It was a visionary, Eliezer Ben Yehuda, who revived the Hebrew language. It was a visionary, MK Dr. Yuri Stern of blessed memory, and a young, brave visionary Josh Reinstein, who foresaw that Israelis and Christian Allies must stand together in these dangerous days. In the short amount of time that Israelis & evangelicals have been meeting here in the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus and in conferences worldwide, I am amazed how much has been achieved already. . . .
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS A delegation of Christian parliamentarians from around the world whose countries have formed pro-Israel parliamentary lobbies gathered Thursday on Capitol Hill in an effort to buttress support for the State of Israel across the globe. "If you have legislators speaking up and getting engaged, then you have a profound impact on national politics," said US Rep Dave Weldon (R- Florida), co-chairman of the US Congressional Caucus. Weldon said that the aim of the bipartisan American caucus, which was established last year in the wake of the powerful Knesset lobby, was to bring about grass-root support for Israel globally on a nation by nation level through dialogue and education. The event, Israel at 60 and Looking Forward, comes at a time of burgeoning relations between Israel and the largely supportive evangelical Christian community around the world. In all, the cross-party Israeli parliamentary caucus has formed - or is in the process of establishing - sister caucuses with 13 countries around the world, including the US, Canada, Uruguay, Brazil, South Korea, The Philippines, Malawi, Japan, Switzerland, South Africa, England, Norway and, most recently, Germany. "Christianity is rooted in Judaism and we cannot separate ourselves from our roots," said South ... more»
US Congressman addresses Knesset Christian Allies Caucus about greater cooperation with American group The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC) met on Thursday with US Congressman Dave Weldon, co-Chairman of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus (CIAC), a pro-Israel organization comprised of members of the US House of Representatives. The CIAC was established in July 2006 in response to the initiative of its sister caucus, the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus. Opposition leader and Chairman of Likud, MK Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as many Christian leaders attended the meeting. The participants discussed cooperation between the KCAC and the CIAC. At the event, MK Benny Elon (National Union), chairman of the KCAC, and Congressman Weldon ratified a joint resolution between the two sister groups. “This resolution will act as a blueprint for political cooperation between the KCAC and its sister caucuses.” Josh Reinstein, the director of the CIAC, said. The resolution is set to be signed by all of the chairmen of the 11 sister caucuses later this year. Congressman Weldon called for the “unity of all peoples of good will to declare that those who stand together for freedom, democracy and justice must stand with Israel in its hour of greatest ... more»
VIDEO) During tour of Knesset, Christian leader slams US for 'Chamberlain approach' Yaakov LappinVIDEO - The American Christian Evangelical movement, acting in the name of tens of millions of followers, has begun lobbying the American government to abandon its "Chamberlain approach" to the Iranian threat to Israel, an Evangelical leader told Ynetnews during a tour of the Knesset on Sunday. Robert Stearns is executive drector of the Eagles' Wings Ministry, a Church which hosts the Israel Experience College Scholarship Program, which sends dozens of young Evangelical college students to Israel for a three-week tour. The program has been dubbed the "Christian birthright" program, after an initiative which aims to bring American Jews to visit Israel for the first time. Speaking to Ynetnews, Strearns said Evangelical leaders had taken a decision to pressure the US government to adopt a more agressive policy towards Iran. "I just came back from Washington DC, where there were 4,000 Christian delegates from every state in America, and we were lobbying our government on behalf of Israel and on behalf of the future of western civilization as we know it. Yes, the Evengalical Church in the US and around the world is completely standing with Israel and the ... more»
Etgar Lefkovits, THE JERUSALEM POST Jul. 27, 2006 The United States Congress on Thursday announced the establishment of an Israel Allies Caucus, meant to mobilize Christian support for Israel around the world. The American congressional lobby, which is modeled on the Knesset's Christian Allies Caucus created two and half years ago, will debut with a membership of four Congressmen - two Republicans, Dave Weldon of Florida and Trent Franks of Arizona, and two Democrats, Eliot Engel of New York and Gene Green of Texas. The new caucus plans to advocate Israel's right to live in peace within safe and secure borders, on the basis of shared Judeo-Christian values. The establishment of the caucus was moved up as a sign of solidarity as Israel confronts terrorist threats from Hizbullah and Hamas. "During the current crisis, Israel and the world need to know that the US Congress stands firm in its commitment to Israel's protection and right to defend itself against terrorism and state-sponsored terrorists," Weldon told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday. He said the formation of the caucus reflected an unwavering Congressional commitment to the state of Israel, and would serve as another means to communicate with an important ally. "Israel's fight against terrorism is the US's fight against terrorism," Engel said in a telephone interview from Washington. Engel, who is the only Jewish member of the caucus, said it was important to garner support for Israel on a bipartisan basis among its many Christian friends in the US. Weldon and Engel will co-chair the lobby. A separate pro-Israel caucus has existed in the House of Representatives for decades.th e founding of the new caucus, which will serve as a forum for outreach and communication among pro-Israel Christians, comes at a time of burgeoning ties between Israel and the predominantly pro-Israel Evangelical Christian community around the world. "I think that our basic appeal of reuniting people and especially politicians around Israel, not on a temporary cost-benefit approach, built on the most fundamental values of our civilization emanating from the Bible has proven itself," said Knesset Christian Allies Caucus founder MK Yuri Stern (Israel Beiteinu). He noted that similar parliamentary caucuses were being planned in the Philippines and in South Korea. "This is not about religious observance or fundamentalism, it is about better understanding our identity and the things we are ready to fight for," he said. "The civilized world's war with the Islamic terror regimes is at its root, a war of values, and this congressional sister Caucus to the Knesset's Christian Allies Caucus signals a recognition that the Judeo-Christian values America and Israel share lie at the heart of their alliance and the special relationship between them," said Knesset Christian Allies Caucus director Josh Reinstein. Original Source
Last week, more than 3,000 Christians representing all 50 states gathered in Washington for a truly historic event. Without the traditional rally on the Capitol steps or demonstrations that bring Washington traffic to a halt, Christians United for Israel held a banquet saluting the State of Israel and meeting with members of Congress to urge greater support for the Jewish state. Christians United for Israel, or CUFI, is not a lobbying group; we are a national Christian organization that urges stronger US support for Israel, especially in light of growing international tensions. Delegates came to Washington at their own expense to exercise their right to meet with members of Congress. Since its founding in February, CUFI has attracted members at an amazing rate. I believe that is because we perceive Israel to be facing threats of historic proportions. From Hamas and Hizbullah at its doorstep to the nuclear threat by Iran's president to wipe Israel off the map, Israel confronts graver dangers than at any time since it was founded in May 1948. IT IS MY view that Christians have a biblical responsibility to support Israel in the face of this aggression, and CUFI is the organization that will allow ... more»
The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC) held its monthly meeting today on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, from 5:00-6:30 PM, in the Knesset Lecture Hall. In its monthly meeting, the KCAC discussed Judeo-Christian medical ethics and opened a dialogue between Jews and Christians in order to learn more about the tenets of their faith. more»
The landslide Hamas election victory in last week's Palestinian parliamentary elections is a declaration of religious holy war against both Judaism and Christianity, the head of the Knesset's Christian Allies Caucus said Monday.
"The establishment of 'Hamastan' run by radical Islam which is openly anti-Jewish and anti-Christian, and not just anti-Israeli, is a [declaration of] religious holy war against both our faiths," said Caucus Co-Chairman MK Yuri Shtern (Israel Beitenu) at the monthly meeting of the parliamentary lobby. more»
Israel's Parliament (the Knesset) created the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus to bring Christians and the Jewish people closer together. For the first time, Christian churches and organizations and the Knesset have formal and direct lines of communication and their representatives have a place to meet face to face to consider the issues, which are of concern to us all. more»
Israel's Parliament (the Knesset) created the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus to bring Christians and the Jewish people closer together. For the first time, Christian churches and organizations and the Knesset have formal and direct lines of communication and their representatives have a place to meet face to face to consider the issues, which are of concern to us all.