Christian community leaders and influencers from across the globe convened in Jerusalem on Wednesday for an international memorial commemorating October 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, all gathered to mark the anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, massacre.
Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem, addressed the gathering, stating, “October 7 is the worst day in Israel’s history, a day of hopelessness.” He emphasized, “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 October 7, but also because of the feeling that they are alone and that the world has turned against them.”
Dr. Evans continued, “What I’m sharing on October 7 is this: ‘You’re wrong. The world is standing with you,’” adding, “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.”
The summit featured former hostages Evyatar David, Agam Berger, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Bar Kupershtein, alongside Holocaust survivor Michael Kupershtein, Bar’s grandfather. The event, hosted by actor and influencer Nathaniel Buzolic and reporter Erin Molan, was broadcast live globally.
Buzolic addressed the perceived silence surrounding Jewish suffering, stating, “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.” He argued that supporting Israel is a moral imperative due to efforts to undermine the country, rooted in radical Islamist ideology that rejects coexistence with both Jewish communities and Western societies.
Earlier in the day, participants visited Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust remembrance center, underscoring the historical parallels and collective memory. The Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit, held in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought together over 1,000 participants from 122 countries, emphasizing interfaith solidarity.
Dr. Evans highlighted the alliance’s strength: “The vast majority of Zionists in the world are not Jewish; they are Bible-believing Christians… 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 included young participants, aiming to counter narratives from entities like Qatar and social media influences. The summit opened at Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives, a site of biblical significance, symbolizing their spiritual connection to the land.
Israel’s Special Envoy to the Christian World, George Deek, praised the sustained support, stating, “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 October 7, and carry their stories back to communities around the world.”
Deek emphasized the three pillars of their relationship: shared biblical heritage, a commitment to combating antisemitism, and securing Christian presence in the Middle East. He also addressed challenges, noting attempts by anti-Israel groups to create divisions, but affirmed the resilience of their bond.
Influencer Oli London, who visited Kibbutz Kfar Aza shortly after the attacks, spoke of honoring victims and raising awareness: “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.” He also promoted visiting Israel’s holy sites to encourage Christian engagement.
On subsequent days, the delegation planned to visit the Nova music festival site and meet with hostages Romi Gonen, Elkana Bohbot, and Noa Argamani, followed by a spiritual event at Shiloh. Hooman Khalili, an Iranian-born activist, shared his murals supporting Israel and women’s rights, connecting their mission to broader regional struggles.
Amelie Botbol, a freelance field reporter based in Tel Aviv, contributes to Fox News Digital’s coverage of Israel-related news.