Despite rabbinic ban, record crowd for ICEJ gathering gets warm welcome

A record attendance of over 7,000 Christian pilgrims from 90 nations will take part in the annual Jerusalem March on Tuesday as the Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, spills out into the streets of the Israeli capital to a warm welcome.

The Israeli public appears to be largely ignoring a rabbinic ban on Jewish participation in the march, as 30,000 Israelis are expected to join the Christian pilgrims in a colorful parade through central Jerusalem, with tens of thousands of on-lookers.

The ICEJ's week-long celebration kicked off last Thursday evening and - already Israel's largest annual tourist event - has drawn its biggest crowd ever this year. The Christian celebration of Succot has received a warm reception from Israeli leaders and the public at large, in seeming defiance of the Chief Rabbinate's recent ruling that Jews should steer clear of the gathering.

After opening at the Dead Sea oasis of Ein Gedi, the Feast has moved up to the Jerusalem convention center, where Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert delivered a video greeting on Saturday evening, while Tourism Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and MK Benny Elon, an Orthodox rabbi and head of the Knesset Christian Allies' Caucus, were on hand to also welcome the pilgrims to Jerusalem.

The festivities peak today with the traditional Jerusalem March, the most popular event with pilgrims. The ICEJ this week also introduced its campaign to place Lifeshield bomb shelters and reinforced bus stops in the embattled border town of Sderot. Jewish Broadway star Dudu Fisher performed for the crowd, while Rev. Jack Hayford, Aglow International president Jane Hansen and Arab Zionist leader Nonie Darwish were among the guest speakers.

Following are messages of solidarity from Israeli leaders delivered at the 2007 Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (by video greeting)
"For years I have enjoyed being part of this great event... I want to thank you because when you come, when you parade through the streets of Jerusalem, when you express your love for this city, you strengthen us and help us to protect the values which are common to you and us… You must understand for us to see you here in this great city coming from almost 100 different nations with always the same enthusiasm, joy, and happiness makes an enormous impact on the life of this country."

Israeli Tourism Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch
"We are honored and delighted to have you as our guests here in the land of the Bible. Thank you for your great support for the state and land of Israel."


Member of Knesset Benny Elon
Chairman of the Knesset Christian Allies' Caucus
"We thank you for being ambassadors of Israel. God gave us the miracle of this Land… We must fight for revival of the Land, the language and the customs. Go tell the world the right story and why we are here and teach them the Bible. We are here because there is a covenant between the God of Israel and us and it is an everlasting covenant! We love you. We need you. You are with us. Stay with us. Thank you very much!"

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Yigal Amedi
"We really appreciate everything the Christian Embassy does for Israel, especially here in Jerusalem. Have a nice time in our city. Thank you very much for coming to our city at Succot!"

Broadway performer Dudu Fisher
"How can I tell you how happy I am to be here with you guys. I mean really it's such a pleasure, such an honor to see you come to this country with so much love. I just want to thank you in my name and I am sure there are so many here in Israel for your support, for your political support, for your donations to Israel, for you being here and helping us with our economy. I think that this is such a crucial time in Israel’s history and I just want to say thank you, thank you for coming."

Print    Tell a friend