MKs to honor Zionist priest, US women's leader

Knesset Christian Allies Caucus to honor priest who advocates for Christian IDF service; Oliver North to address Knesset members.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
big church 521 (photo credit: Elan Penn)
big church 521
(photo credit: Elan Penn)
The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus will honor a priest who advocates for Christian IDF service and the leader of one of the largest women’s Christian organizations in the world, in Jerusalem on Wednesday night.
The eighth annual Night to Honor Our Christian Allies is organized by the caucus in conjunction with the World Jewish Congress.
Government leaders and Knesset members from across the political spectrum will join both Jews and Christians at the King David hotel for a reception in honor of Christians who have been steadfast in their commitment to Israel.
An award will be presented to Father Gabriel Naddaf, a Greek Orthodox Israeli Arab priest from the Galilee, who despite threats and incitement, encourages the integration of Arab Christians into Israeli society.
The caucus, together with the Ministry of Tourism, will also honor Aglow International President Jane Hansen Hoyt for her contribution to Israeli tourism. Aglow is a non-denominational Christian group and women’s organization.
“All year long millions of Christians around the world are praying for and acting on behalf of the State of Israel,” said Josh Reinstein, caucus director. “We are honored to have this opportunity once a year to say thank you.”
The event will be addressed by caucus co- chairmen David Rotem (Yisrael Beytenu) and Gila Gamliel (Likud), World Jewish Congress-Israel chairman Shai Hermesh and US Lieut.-Col. Oliver North.
North, who gained international fame during the Iran-Contra affair, is now a conservative talkshow host and commentator and runs a Christian ministry. Because of his ties to Christian groups, he asked to be part of the event.
The KCAC is a multi-partisan caucus comprised of 17 Knesset members. Established in 2004, it aims to forge direct lines of communication between Knesset members and Christian leaders, organizations and political representatives in Israel and throughout the world.
Some 25 reciprocal Israel Allies caucuses exist in governments worldwide, through the coordinating efforts of the Israel Allies Foundation.
The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations.
“Faith based diplomacy is proving to be the most effective part of Israel’s foreign policy because it is based on values and beliefs that do not change with the times,” Gamliel said.