Despite the war: ICEJ plans to host hundreds of Christians for annual Feast of Tabernacles

Despite the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and with siren alerts blaring in parts of Israel on a daily basis, the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem expects to welcome hundreds of Christians from around 50 nations for its annual Feast of Tabernacles gathering. 

Even with multiple airlines canceling flights to Israel and the ongoing fighting in Gaza and Lebanon, over 400 Christians are scheduled to arrive for the week-long Sukkot celebration. ICEJ Senior Vice-President David Parsons stated: “ICEJ’s Feast 2024 will constitute the largest solidarity mission to Israel since the war began.” 

Earlier this year, the ICEJ led a special “solidarity mission” of 70 pastors and ministry leaders from 18 nations on a tour of Israel’s devastated southern communities. 

As in past years, attendees will hear from senior Israeli leaders. However, this year, they will also listen to testimonies from hostage family members and listen to security experts discuss issues related to the war. 

The ICEJ Feast will take place from Oct. 16 to Oct. 23, beginning with a tour of the Gaza border area and a special remembrance ceremony at HaBesor (Eshkol) National Park, near the Gaza Envelope. The ceremony will honor the 1,500 Israelis who died or were taken hostage on Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists invaded and attacked Israel more than one year ago.

Feast attendees will hear first-hand accounts from local security officers and community leaders about the tragic events that took place on Simchat Torah, the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) last year.

To appreciate the magnitude of the Hamas atrocities, ICEJ Feast attendees will visit several sites in the area, including the Nova Music Festival site, Kibbutz Be’eri, and the ‘car graveyard’ near Tkuma. 

Last year, ICEJ oversaw a special tour to the south where attendees participated in a tree-planting ceremony near the Sha’ar HaNegev High School. That event, which took place on Oct. 6, the day before the deadly attacks, became full of poignant significance after it was announced that Ofir Libstein, mayor of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, who had welcomed the Feast attendees at the ceremony, was murdered while defended his community against Hamas terrorists.

This year, continuing its partnership with KKL-JNF, ICEJ delegates will prepare hundreds of red and yellow tulip bulbs in memory of the fallen and abducted. The tulips will later be planted at a new Nova memorial site, where they will bloom this winter in the shape of a red heart and yellow ribbon.

“The Feast of Tabernacles is traditionally a holiday of joy, but given the ongoing war and the immense tragedy that struck Israel one year ago, we have a duty to begin this year with a solemn remembrance gathering in the western Negev area hit so hard last October 7,” said Parsons.

“Our presence here at this difficult time and the lovely tulips we will leave behind are meant to send a strong message of Christian support and concern for this nation and what the Israeli people have suffered.” 

The first day of the ICEJ Feast 2024 will conclude with a meal and worship service at the Judean Desert oasis of Kfar Nokdim. The remaining activities will take place in the Israeli capital of Jerusalem, and include a Flag March around Sacher Park, along with the colorful “Roll Call of the Nations,” to be held this year at the Tower of David Museum near the Jaffa Gate. 

Even before Oct. 7, 2023, but especially throughout this past year, the ICEJ has been running a program to provide public bomb shelters to communities lacking adequate protection.

In addition, the ICEJ has responded with various relief and aid projects, including donating four ambulances to help replace the many ambulances destroyed during the Oct. 7 massacre.