Christian community leaders and influencers from around the world gathered in Jerusalem Wednesday for an international memorial marking Oct. 7 as part of the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit.
The event also included Jewish leaders, released hostages, bereaved families, wounded Israelis, ambassadors and diplomatic representatives to commemorate the anniversary of the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.
"Oct. 7 is the worst day in Israel’s history, a day of hopelessness," Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem, told Fox News Digital.
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"People talk a lot about the more than 1,200 people killed that day, but not enough about the more than 70,000 who lost their homes and loved ones. You have a nation going through unspeakable pain, not only because of Oct. 7, but also because of the feeling that they are alone and that the world has turned against them," Evans added.
"What I’m sharing on Oct. 7 is this: ‘You’re wrong. The world is standing with you,’" he continued. "You see the faces, languages and songs of people from around the world united to comfort you and stand with you. It’s not political. It’s for the Jewish people: You are not alone. We’re with you. We love you."
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Hosted by actor and influencer Nathaniel Buzolic and reporter Erin Molan, Wednesday’s event in the Israeli capital was broadcast live on dozens of television networks around the world.
"When other minority or groups suffer, there tends to be some sort of acknowledgment of that suffering, but when it comes to Jewish suffering, particularly at the hands of radical Islamists, there is not only silence but also denial and an attempt to downgrade the atrocities we witnessed, and we really have witnessed atrocities not just on Oct. 7 but in the continuation of that," Buzolic told Fox News Digital.
Buzolic said supporting Israel is a moral imperative given what he described as efforts to destroy the country. He argued that the hostility toward Israel is rooted in a radical Islamist ideology that rejects peace and coexistence not only with the Jewish state, but also with Western societies more broadly.
Released hostages Agam Berger, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Bar Kupershtein and Evyatar David attended the event, along with Bar’s grandfather, Holocaust survivor Michael Kupershtein. Sylvan Adams, president of the World Jewish Congress Israel and a full partner in the event, also participated.
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Earlier in the day, participants visited Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust remembrance center.
The Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit is being held for the second consecutive year and brings together over 1,000 participants from 122 countries.
"The alliance is very strong. The vast majority of Zionists in the world are not Jewish; they are Bible-believing Christians," Evans told Fox News Digital. "The Christian Zionists worldwide don’t necessarily agree on the politics, but they agree on the people. They are uniting with the people of Israel."
The delegation includes many young people as part of an effort to reach a generation that Evans said had been "poisoned" by countries such as Qatar at universities, as well as by artificial intelligence.
The summit, held in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened Tuesday with an event on Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives. Evans said the site, which is associated with Jesus and his ascension, holds particular significance for participants and serves as a symbol of their faith.
Israel’s Special Envoy to the Christian World George Deek said he was proud of the sustained support Israel has received from Jewish and Christian communities abroad since Oct. 7, 2023.
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"The arrival of Christian leaders carries a powerful message that Israel does not stand alone. They have come to bear witness, meet people whose lives were shattered on Oct. 7 and carry their stories back to communities around the world," Deek told Fox News Digital.
Deek said the bond between Israel and the Christian world has been built on "truth, courage and sheer determination" to confront antisemitism and other forms of hatred wherever they arise.
"This visit is a testament to the strength of the bond between Israel and Christian communities despite attempts by various groups, including paid actors and anti-Israel organizations, to drive a wedge between them," he added.
Deek said the special relationship between Christians and Jews rests on three foundations: a shared biblical heritage; a commitment to ensuring Jews can live free from antisemitism and fear and the right of Christians in the Middle East and elsewhere to live without intimidation.
"The future of the Jews in Israel and the future of Christians are connected because we have a shared history. We share the same historical land, the same values, kings and prophets, and we have to stand together, especially when it comes to this warfare against the soul of Christians, trying to drive them away from Israel," Deek told Fox News Digital.
Influencer Oli London first visited Israel six weeks after the Oct. 7 attack, traveling to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where residents were killed and kidnapped and homes were burned during the massacre.
"I felt it was so important to come back to honor the memory of the victims, advocate for those still suffering from trauma, raise awareness of their suffering and take part in mass prayers," London told Fox News Digital.
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"I think it’s also important to show Christians the holy sites in Israel. I’m visiting the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Olives, the Garden Tomb and other biblical sites to encourage Christians to return because Israel has had a difficult time over the past few years," he continued.
London also praised the resilience of the Jewish people and addressed rising antisemitism around the world since Oct. 7.
"Sadly, many people are either staying silent or jumping on the bandwagon of the anti-Israel trend, fueling hatred and bringing out antisemitic views in many people. Jewish people need support and need to know they are loved and supported by so many Christians," he said.
On Thursday, members of the delegation will visit the Nova music festival site, where one of the central massacres of Oct. 7 took place, and meet with released hostages Romi Gonen, Elkana Bohbot and Noa Argamani, who were abducted from the festival. On Friday, the delegation will visit the ancient site of Shiloh in Samaria for a special tour and prayer event.
Hooman Khalili, who is participating in the summit, was born in Iran and has been an outspoken supporter of Israel. He said he has visited the country 17 times over 21 months to create "Woman, Life, Freedom" murals.
"I was invited and saw it as an opportunity to share with American pastors the work I have been doing to show the world how Israel and the Jewish people support women and the people of Iran," he told Fox News Digital.
"This is one of those opportunities to come and pray for the land and the State of Israel, connect with other Christians and people who share my beliefs and values."
