by JPost
Thousands of Christian pilgrims have arrived for the Feast of Tabernacles, showing no hesitation in supporting Israel during these trying times.
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The country has entered Sukkot on tenterhooks as we await word on whether the plan to end the Gaza war and return our hostages unveiled by US President Donald Trump last week will bear fruit.
Thankfully, we have friends from abroad who are boosting the spirits of the country and embracing its citizens during these trying times, and reminding us that Sukkot is a joyous time for the Jewish people.
We’re talking about the thousands of Christian pilgrims who have arrived this week for the holiday, which they know as the Feast of Tabernacles. With incoming tourism hit sharply over the last two years of the Gaza war (and with the COVID pandemic before that), any sign of visitors and support for Israel should be welcomed.
Ironically, while most Jews around the world are reticent about visiting Israel during wartime, our Christian friends have no qualms about emphatically stating their love and identification with our mission and our plight.
One of the main attractions for this year’s visitors was the A Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ) and the Awake Jerusalem solidarity concert, both of which took place on Sunday at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem.
The event was attended by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee – himself a staunch Christian supporter of Israel – Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, Israel’s 2025 Eurovision entry Yuval Raphael, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and thousands of Christian supporters of Israel.
The Feast of Tabernacles parade
The Feast of Tabernacles parade, due to take place during hol hamoed on Thursday in downtown Jerusalem, organized by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, is expected to draw some 1,500 visitors, most of them from the US, Finland, Germany, and Norway.Although organizers said the turnout will only be about 40% of the number of celebrants who usually arrive, it’s still impressive. According to ICEJ President Dr Jürgen Bühler, it’s the largest solidarity mission to Israel since the war began.
A separate delegation of 500 Christian supporters of Israel from a hundred countries, including pastors from Muslim nations in the Middle East, is also currently in Israel for a conference, including meeting with the MKs from the Knesset’s Christian Allies Caucus.
These visitors shouldn’t be taken for granted, and they should be seen as an example for those of us who live there that, despite the difficulties and the “matsav,” there is much to love about Israel.
Overshadowed by the Feast of Tabernacles parade is the annual Jerusalem March (Tza’adat Yerushalyim), a spirit-lifting sojourn that thousands of families and organizations take part in just before the parade, walking the land of our forefathers and celebrating its beauty and history.
For the more adventurous, enjoy a hike in nature, visit one of the country’s stupendous national parks that dot the land from north to south. The last two years have been a messy balance between hyper-focusing on the war and the hostages, and trying to carry on with our “normal” lives.
This Sukkot, while we keep tuned in to what’s happening in Egypt, visit Hostage Square, and express solidarity with the families of the hostages. We shouldn’t let the barrage of constant news, pushes, updates, and developments take away from the wonder and the miracle that is Israel today.
We should take the hint from our Christian friends and take advantage of the opportunity to get out and mark Sukkot with a reintroduction to the Israel that is indeed something to behold. Sometimes, we’re so immersed in the weeds that we can’t see the blossoming flowers.
If you see Christian pilgrims with signs or shirts expressing their love of Israel (or just plain tourists), thank them for coming and standing shoulder to shoulder in Israel with the Jewish people.
Together, we await word whether this Simchat Torah could be the most joyous ever in our history: a holiday that sees the return of our missing family from the tunnels of Gaza.
JPost
Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-869700
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