At the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem’s annual Israeli Guest Night and Roll Call of the Nations, a highlight of the Feast of Tabernacles celebration, the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, attended as the guest of honour and delivered the keynote address.

This significant event brought together Christian pilgrims from over 70 nations, together with Israeli guests, in a show of solidarity with Israel.

During his speech, President Herzog warmly acknowledged the unwavering support of the global Christian community and emphasised the enduring bond between Israel and those who love Zion. The evening featured the popular Roll Call of the Nations, as representatives of the nations present at the Feast paraded their flags in a vibrant display of unity.

Here is President Herzog’s address:

Dear friends and lovers of Zion, you have gathered together today from more than eighty nations. Here in Jerusalem, the city of prayer, the city of peace, and the city of God, whose name means peace. Faith and grace have brought each of you to touch this sacred ground, as a living testament to the words of the prophets: “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations… shall go up… to worship the King… and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”

It is no coincidence, friends, that you have gathered here at a decisive moment in the history of this region. You, lovers of Zion, have arrived here at a crossroads in which the choice for blessing or curse, for life and liberty or death and destruction, is laid out before us.

Of course, your love for Israel is not new. For decades, your embassy in Jerusalem, the ICEJ, has been a global voice of Christian friendship, solidarity and action for Israel. When others left Jerusalem, you came and said, like Abraham, Hineini, “We are here. We stand with the State of Israel, with the people of Israel, and with the Holy City.”

In our darkest hour, exactly two years ago, on October 7th, you stepped forward with courage. You called on your hearts and on your faith to come to the aid of the people of Israel in the Land of Israel. And your caring reached so many and did so much good. Thank you.

Across the globe, you have stood up to antisemitism, countering lies and libels about Israel, you spread the truth about the Jewish State, you pray and fight for our hostages, who are suffering terribly, and allow a language of love to counter hatred.

In the name of the State and the people of Israel, as the President of the State of Israel, I want to thank all of you. You are a source of strength, of comfort and of light in a period of overwhelming darkness.

Dear friends, over the days of this Feast, you will march through Jerusalem and bring life to the words of Psalms: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you be secure”. And, in fact, whilst we will always do what is necessary to protect people, and keep our country secure, our hands remain outstretched for peace. We will never abandon the vision of a region where the children of Abraham can live and dwell together in peace.

We know that the words of the psalmist: “Seek peace, and pursue it,” are not only a dream, but a demand upon us – that we take every action to realise it. The historic Abraham Accords, brokered five years ago by President Trump, opened the door to a new future of tolerance, understanding and partnership in the region. Here and now, at this very moment, President Trump has put forward a comprehensive plan for an end to the war, the release of all of our hostages, and gave a horizon of hope for peace in this region. I am utterly grateful for that and I thank him.

I deeply believe that together with our greatest ally, the United States of America, and our friends and partners around the world, we can shape a future of peace and of blessing to the world.

I commend the negotiation teams in Egypt, and I pray they will broker a deal as soon as possible that will bring our sons and daughter, from Hell, back home.

I want to thank the ICEJ, its president, Dr. Jürgen Bühler and his excellent team. And Christian Zionist communities around the world. And I want to thank each of you who have made this pilgrimage of body, heart, and spirit to Israel. And those joining us now from around the world.

May God bless you for blessing Israel. May He bless Jerusalem. May He bring our hostages home, as soon as possible. And may He spread His tabernacle, His canopy, His sukkah of peace, over all who love this land. Thank you.