At a time of rising global tensions and increasing pressure on the US-Israel relationship, hundreds of rabbis, pastors, and faith leaders are gathering in Washington this week for Israel Advocacy Day - an initiative aimed at translating interfaith solidarity into direct engagement with policymakers.
The initiative was developed jointly by Eagles’ Wings, American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI), the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) USA, and the Israel Allies Foundation. It reflects a growing effort among Jewish and Christian leaders to move beyond statements of support and toward coordinated advocacy on issues affecting Israel, the Jewish people, and faith communities across the United States.
Over the course of the visit, participants are expected to hold more than 100 meetings across Capitol Hill, engaging with key decision-makers from across the political spectrum. Organizers say the bipartisan scope and scale of engagement underscore a sustained commitment to engaging in meaning conversations about policy issues in Washington.
At the core of the initiative is a deliberate model: pairing rabbis and pastors in joint delegations to underscore a shared agenda. Organizers describe this as a shift from symbolic cooperation to operational partnership- bringing interfaith dialogue directly into the policy arena.
“This is about moving beyond words,” Stearns said ahead of the meetings. “For many years, support for Israel within faith communities has been expressed through statements and solidarity. This effort is about ensuring that such support is also reflected in meaningful engagement with those shaping policy.”
The advocacy agenda will focus on three primary issues: reinforcing US support for Israel’s security, addressing the sharp rise in antisemitism, and advancing protections for faith-based institutions facing increasing threats.
The initiative follows a gala gathering of approximately 500 faith leaders, including figures such as Eric Fingerhut, president of the Jewish Federations of North America; Pini Dunner of the Beverly Hills Synagogue; and influential pastors, reflecting the breadth of participation across both communities.
Israel Advocacy Day builds on a smaller initiative launched in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attacks, which has since expanded into a structured, multi-organization effort.
For organizers, the objective is clear: to ensure that interfaith alignment translates into sustained engagement and tangible outcomes. As debates in Washington continue over US policy in the Middle East, initiatives such as this reflect a broader trend - faith leaders seeking a more active role not only in shaping public discourse, but in informing policy itself.