1,400 turn out to honor Israel

    PORTLAND — An enthusiastic mix of evangelical Christians and Jews filled a big room Feb. 11 at the Oregon Convention Center in what is planned as an annual local event of support for the State of Israel.
    Sponsored by Christ-ians United for Israel, a young but fast-growing national effort founded by nationally known Pastor John Hagee of Texas, the Portland Night to Honor Israel attracted an estimated 1,400 people who sang, prayed and listened with full attention to several featured speakers.
    “We are hear to say to the Jewish community, ‘We will always stand with you,’’’ said Tom Taylor, a member of the pastoral staff at New Beginnings Christian Center in Gresham and Oregon state director for Christians United for Israel.
     The event was one of many such Nights taking place throughout the United States. Hagee, the popular pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, formed Christians United for Israel in Feb-ruary 2006 along with 400 leaders from the Christian and Jewish communities. It aims to communicate the need to de-fend Israel, in light of biblically-based matters, with members of Congress.
    “We need to let our leaders know that not only Jews care about Israel, but that millions of Christians across America care about Israel,” said David Brog, national executive director of Christians United for Israel and one of the featured spekers.
     Other speakers were Nonie Darwish of Los Angeles, founder of Arabs for Israel; Israeli Consul General David Akov, and Gen. (ret.) Shimon Erem, founder and president of Israel-Christian Nexus, also of Los Angeles.
Akov noted that Portland is about as far from Israel as one can get, “but we know we have many friends here.”
     He said the Middle East is becoming “a more complicated place” and that threats to Israel, particularly from Iran, need to be understood by “the civilized world.”
    “There is nothing that the people of Israel want more than to live in peace with our neighbors,” Akov said. “But one thing is certain — we will still be in a very difficult neighborhood and we will need to remain strong ... The support of the people here tonight strengthens us.”
     Darwish spoke of her upbringing in the Arab world, and how she over time became aware that hate directed toward the Israelis was wrong.
    “The Arab culture is a beautiful culture that is being eroded by the radicals,” she said.
     Radical Islamists will not be content to just stop with with Jewish people, she said.
    “The Sunday people — the Christians of America — are next on the list ... But where do we get our hope, our help? From God above,” she said, as the crowd erupted in loud applause.
     Darwish said she was thrilled to see such support for Israel as was shown in the Portland rally.
    “It shouldn’t be just the Christian community honoring Israel,” she said. “Everyone should honor Israel ... We have to look at Israel as a blessing in the Middle East, and not an enemy.”
     Support for Israel should be an outgrowth of faith in God, she said.
    “I look at Israel now and I know it must be God’s protective hand over Israel not only to survive ... but to thrive and persevere,” she said.
     Erem, who witnessed the formation of the Israeli state almost 60 years ago, was similarly impressed by the rally turnout.
    “Anyone who wants to see the real beauty of America can see it in this hall tonight,” he said.
     He praised the founder of Christians United for Israel for courageously stepping forward.
   “The best friend that Israel and the Jewish people have is Pastor John Hagee,” Erem said.
     Like Darwish, Erem said the same forces that threaten the Jewish state ultimately threaten Christians as well.
    “The fact is, radical Islamists cannot tolerate any other group,” he said. “As long as there are extreme radical Moslems, there will not be peace in the world.”
     But Americans, including evangelical Christians, can make a huge difference, Erem said.
    “They (radical Islamists) will not succeeed, as long as the people of America stand up,” he said.