Faith-Based Diplomacy at the Core of Advocacy for Israel Worldwide
The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus marks its 20 years of action and unprecedented achievements for the state of Israel in the international arena
The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC) marked its 20th anniversary on Tuesday, a significant milestone overshadowed by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The event, held at the Knesset in Jerusalem, was attended by Christian leaders from around the world, Knesset members, including co-chairs MK Yuli Edelstein and MK Sharren Haskel, and Yarden Gonen, representing the families of Israeli hostages, including her sister Romi Leshem.
Gonen attended the event to thank Israel’s Christian friends for all their advocacy efforts in trying to achieve the release of her sister and the other 135 people from Hamas captivity. “I’m here today to share my thanks to the whole community that came here to share their respect and their advocacy for the situation in Israel,” she told The Media Line.
It gives me a lot of hope for humanity that we can prosper from all of this, and that I have true allies and friends around the world who want my sister to be released as soon as possible
“It gives me a lot of hope for humanity that we can prosper from all of this, and that I have true allies and friends around the world who want my sister to be released as soon as possible,” Gonen added.
Despite being an occasion for celebration, the event was somber, reflecting on the recent death of 24 Israeli soldiers in Gaza and the plight of 136 hostages still held by Hamas. The ceremony included interfaith prayers focusing on these pressing issues.
“Today we’re not celebrating the 20th anniversary because of the tragedy that we felt today and also the last three and a half months… but we are commemorating the start of what we call faith-based diplomacy,” KCAC Director Josh Reinstein, told The Media Line.
Knesset Christian Allies Caucus Director Josh Reinstein speaks at the 20th-anniversary event, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Knesset in Jerusalem. (Debbie Mohnblatt/The Media Line)
Since its establishment in 2004, the KCAC has grown into the Knesset’s largest and most influential caucus, with members from across the political spectrum. It has been instrumental in several key achievements, such as relocating embassies to Jerusalem, promoting education about Israel globally, combating antisemitism, and geopolitical milestones, including achieving status for Israel in the African Union.
Its impact has also sparked the establishment of 53 Israel Allies Caucuses around the world with a network of about 1,500 legislators.
Reinstein explained that faith-based diplomacy, which is when people take their biblical support for Israel and turn it into real political action, has served as Israel’s “diplomatic Iron Dome,” for years, but he emphasized its importance since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war.
We built this whole operation 20 years in advance of something like this; it’s Christians, not countries, that stand with Israel
“Now, it’s more important than ever. We built this whole operation 20 years in advance of something like this; it’s Christians, not countries, that stand with Israel, and we’re seeing Christians come from all over the world together to stand with Israel,” Reinstein said.
Knesset Member Tatiana Mazarsky, who is an active member of the KCAC, expressed the gratitude of Israeli lawmakers to the Christian communities around the world who are standing with Israel in these critical times.
“I see those who came today to the event as ambassadors that will talk about Israel, and our peace aspirations, and not how we are presented in the media in the world,” Mazarsky told The Media Line. “You [Christian communities] are our only friends whom we can trust. Because while we have 136 hostages still captive in Gaza, the world is judging us for genocide at the Hague.”
Based in Germany, Jobst Bittner, founder and president of the March of Life organization, has been an active member of the KCAC since 2018. His organization has mobilized tens of thousands to the streets of several countries around the world to show their support for Israel.
In Germany, he told The Media Line, “We have to mobilize the people much more than ever before. Because after October 7th, there was an explosion of antisemitism worldwide. Terrible.”
Bitter noted that in these times, a job he has taken upon himself is to mobilize churches to take a stand. “We are doing this with all the power we have,” he added.
The rise of antisemitism, along with the huge amount of misinformation, said Reinstein, “has made it very challenging to get the message out, but that is why we need our hundreds of millions of Christian friends to stand up and speak for Israel.”
He added that the Israel Allies Foundation has launched an unprecedented diplomatic front since October 7. “There is not a week that goes by that we do not have something going on in a country, in a parliament, or a church around the world,” he said.
The alliance continues to grow, and more partners are constantly joining the mission.
Paul Weber, chief advancement officer for the Texas-based Passages organization, arrived for the first time at a KCAC event on Tuesday. “This is our first time with the caucus. We hope it’s not the last; we hope to be involved many, many more times,” he told The Media Line.
Paul Weber, chief advancement officer for the Passages organization, at the Knesset in Jerusalem. Jan. 23, 2024. (Debbie Mohnblatt/The Media Line)
Despite not previously being connected to the KCAC, his organization has been advocating for Israel for a long time. Passages brings students ages 16 to 23 to Israel three to four times a year so that they can go back home and become advocates for Israel and the Jewish people, Weber explained.
“We understand that our faith starts with the Jewish faith, and we are grafted in and an offshoot of the Jewish faith, Christianity. The Book tells us that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed. It is part of our faith, and we want to be a blessing to Israel,” he continued.
Since October 7, Passages has raised over $500,000, and a delegation brought that money to support two communities in the Gaza envelope: Kfar Aza and Nativ Ha’asara.
What you’re seeing in the media is protests against Israel on our college campuses. It’s very grieving to us
They have also been advocating for Israel back in the United States. “What you’re seeing in the media is protests against Israel on our college campuses. It’s very grieving to us,” said Weber. In response, Passages has encouraged and helped its students counter that, through peaceful prayerful protests on campus by wearing our shirts that say: “Christians stand with Israel.”
“Just being present and prayerful and speaking out the truth of what is happening here in Israel, the fact that Israel did not start this war, and everything was in peace on October 6. It was a terrorist attack that began this war. And we need to tell the truth worldwide. And that’s what we are really all about,” he added.
Reinstein has great expectations for the future of this partnership between Israel and its Christian allies. “We believe that this is just the beginning of faith-based diplomacy, and we’ll see stronger and more vibrant support for Israel than we’ve ever seen before,” he said.
