Kiwis for Balanced Reporting on the Middle East

Kiwis for Balanced Reporting On The Mideast New Zealand Media bias

November 3, 2009

Christian & Jewish Pilgrims Show Solidarity

A KBRM member now living in Israel describes how Christians from all over the world converged on Jerusalem during the Festival of Tabernacles to join with Jews in celebrating this ancient Biblical Festival. The article was distributed to all the main NZ metropolitan newspapers, but was only printed by the Otago Daily Times.

The streets of Jerusalem were recently thronged with thousands of Christians from every corner of the globe celebrating and marching in solidarity with Jews during the annual Feast of Tabernacles. As a Jewish Kiwi now living in Jerusalem, it is always a pleasure to welcome visitors and doubly so when those visiting are genuine friends who return annually. During the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles which occurs around October, thousands of Christian pilgrims converge on Jerusalem from all points of the globe to demonstrate their solidarity with Israel and the Jewish People. Why this particular occasion and what is it that draws increasing numbers of Christians to the Holy Land at this time of the year?

Sukkot (in Hebrew) or Tabernacles is the culmination of a month long series of solemn and festive Jewish religious celebrations. A central feature of this particular holyday is the Biblical prophecy that in time to come, at the Feast of Tabernacles, people of all nations will journey to Jerusalem to worship at the restored Temple and together with the Jewish nation will walk in God's paths: ‘for out of Zion shall go the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem ...’ (Isaiah 2:3). Just as significantly, they will also, according to the words of the ancient prophets, acknowledge the Land of Israel as the eternal heritage of the People of Israel. (Zechariah 14)

This forms the basis for the current growing groundswell of support across many Christian Evangelical denominations for participating in these annual celebrations. Facing an Arab and UN sanctioned campaign of incitement, and challenges to its very legitimacy and legal right to its own ancient capital, the reaffirmation by Christians of the Jewish people's undeniable bond with their country is particularly welcome.

The annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem started 30 years ago when the International Christian Embassy was established as an act of Christian solidarity with the Jewish three thousand year old connection to the city. Combating anti-Semitism, engaging in various social aid programmes throughout Israel, including care for Holocaust survivors, are just some of the goals of this organisation. Without doubt, however, the highlight of the year is the convergence on Israel's capital of thousands of Christians eager to show their unbridled and unconditional support for the right of Jews to reclaim their ancient homeland. A week of enthusiastic gatherings and speeches by prominent speakers culminates in a march through the streets of Jerusalem. This year's record number of supporters came from every continent and represented over 80 countries. The pavements of Israel's undivided Capital were thronged with local citizens cheering the colourful parade of 70,000 marchers, many dressed in national costumes, waving flags and banners of support, as they wended their way across the city. After a week of learning, devotion and sightseeing the pilgrims have returned to their respective countries to continue the work of spreading the truth about Israel.

At a time when incitement against the Jewish State is reaching new levels, it is refreshing and uplifting to witness such displays of solidarity by thousands of ordinary citizens from so many diverse nations.