Ahead of big speech to Congress, Netanyahu meets with Evangelical leaders: 'We have no better friends than you...especially in these trying times'
Tony Perkins urges Evangelicals to pray for Israel's leaders by name
WASHINGTON, DC -- When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Tuesday, one of his top priorities was to meet with a group of American Evangelical Christian leaders.
After shaking hands with each leader – and hugging several, including John Hagee, a pastor in San Antonio and the founder of Christians United For Israel, with some 10 million members – Netanyahu took his seat next to his wife, Sara.
He thanked the Evangelical delegation for their steadfast support of Israel during good times but especially during painful times when the Jewish state is under attack from all directions.
"Welcome to all of you," the prime minister began, smiling broadly. "It's good to see you again. We've met, I think, with just about everyone over the years, and I want to thank you for your incredible support at all times and especially in these trying times."
"We have no better friends than you," Netanyahu declared, "and I don't say that lightly or haphazardly. It comes from the heart."
"It also comes from knowing how deeply you're committed to Israel and how strongly you stand up for Israel, and stand up for the truth, stand up for our common heritage and our common values."
"So, I want to thank you on behalf of my wife, Sara, and myself, and on behalf of the people of Israel, and behalf of the State of Israel, and the people of Israel. Thank you."
WHAT DID EVANGELICALS TELL NETANYAHU?
While the specifics of what was said by Netanyahu after the first few minutes of the meeting are off-the-record, several Evangelicals felt free to share what they told the prime minister.
"Our message today to the prime minister and to the Jewish people of Israel and the United States [is] that the Christians of America stand solidly with Israel," said Hagee, according to the Jewish News Syndicate, which first reported about the meeting.
"We are appalled at the way our government has been treating the Jewish people, and we want the people of Israel to know that we are steadfastly supporting them," Hagee added.
"We feel that they have every right to be totally victorious in this military conflict."
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and one of the most prominent Evangelicals in Washington today, echoed those remarks and emphasized the importance of praying not only for Israel but for its leaders by name.
"I think Israel and the Jewish people have no greater supporter, ally, and friend than Evangelical, Bible believing Christians in this country," Perkins said, according to JNS.
"We believe what Genesis 12 says, that 'those who bless Israel will be blessed,'" Perkins added. "So, while many of the world are turning away [from Israel], we will not."
"Our message to the prime minister is that we're praying for you," Perkins said. "I pray every morning for the prime minister personally – by name – and I pray that as God has done in the pasat, where He has manifested His power on behalf of Israel, He would do it again."
WHAT DID A SOUTHERN BAPTIST LEADER TELL NETANYAHU?
Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) – the public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention – shared several observations about the meeting on the social media platform 𝕏.
"Just had the opportunity to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu," he wrote. "I let him know that Israel has – especially after the horrible attacks of Oct. 7th – the fervent prayers of so many Southern Baptists."
Leatherwood shared with Netanyahu a strongly pro-Israel resolution that the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) passed at their June meeting in Indianapolis.
The resolution, he said, underscored "the SBC's belief in both Israel's right to exist and defend itself from from Hamas terrorists."
"The Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation for Evangelicals, especially Southern Baptists," Leatherwood added.
"We are coordinating a meeting with the Israeli embassy to formally present this resolution later this year on behalf of our churches."
"From our meeting, Mr. Netanyahu was heading to go finalize his remarks that he will give [Wednesday] before a Joint Session of Congress. We should continue praying for Israel's survival and for a just and 'peaceful resolution to the war and all affected.'"
WHO WAS THERE?
The Prime Minister's Office did not release a list of participants.
However, ALL ISRAEL NEWS can report that among the nearly two dozen Evangelicals in attendance were the following:
* John Hagee, founder of Christians United For Israel
* Mrs. Diana Hagee
* Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council
* Jordanna McMillen, director of the U.S. chapter of the Israel Allies Caucus
* Paul White, chairman of former President Trump's faith advisory council
* Luke Moon, executive director of the Philos Project
* Brent Leatherwood, president of the the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
* Mario Bramnick, president of the Latino Coalition for Israel
* Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem
Joining Netanyahu was a large delegation of Israeli officials.
Among them:
* Ron Dermer, Israel's strategic affairs minister, who served as Israel's ambassador to the U.S. for seven years.
* Michael Herzog, Israel's current ambassador to the U.S.
* Gilad Erdan, Israel's outgoing ambassador to the United Nations
* Tzachi Hanegbi, the prime minister's national security advisor
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Joel C. Rosenberg is the editor-in-chief of ALL ISRAEL NEWS and ALL ARAB NEWS and the President and CEO of Near East Media. A New York Times best-selling author, Middle East analyst, and Evangelical leader, he lives in Jerusalem with his wife and sons.
