Evangelical Christians' support for Israel: Cause for celebration or concern? by Kit Wagner
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The St. Louis Jewish Light on November 1, 2007
 [David] Brog became the group's executive director after authoring the book Standing with Israel: Why Christians Support the Jewish State....Brog said Hagee's affection and support for Israel stem from God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 — "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you." Later in the same chapter, God promises to give the land of Israel to Abraham's descendants. "Those promises in Genesis, modern Jewish history and the justness of Israel's cause" combine to form a kind of imperative to support Israel, Brog said. "After the shame and horror of the silence of Christians during the Holocaust, there is a deep-seated responsibility not to let it happen again."

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Almost 1,000 people attended the first annual Connecticut “Night to Honor Israel,” on Oct. 21, at the Gateway Christian Fellowship Church in West Haven.Night to honor Israel’ draws 1,000 people
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Jewish Ledger  on October 30, 2007 Sponsored by Christians United for Israel, the event featured guest speakers Roz Rothstein, national director of Stand With Us; David Brog, executive director, Christians United for Israel, and Robert Stearns, northeast director of Christians United for Israel. Rabbi Eric Silver of Temple Beth David in Cheshire delivered the invocation, and Rabbi Joseph Ehrenkranz of the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding at Sacred Heart University delivered the benediction. A representative from the Israeli consulate in New York also attended. Approximately $24,000 was raised to benefit Israel, with the proceeds split between Partnership 2000 and the Ohr Torah Stone Love and Kindness Fund in Efrat.

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Protecting Israel is San Antonio pastor John Hagee's mission by Wayne Slater
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Dallas Morning News  on October 28, 2007
Mr. Hagee, the nation's leading Christian Zionist, seeks to channel biblically inspired devotion to Israel into organized efforts to affect politics and public policy. His group, Christians United for Israel, lobbies Congress on behalf of policies that support the state of Israel. The organization claims 50,000 members from churches representing 2 million people and conducts Night to Honor Israel rallies at Christian churches and hotel ballrooms 75 cities last year. Christians United's second annual Washington event in July drew 4,500 supporters. President Bush provided a welcoming statement, and speakers included Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. Mr. Lieberman brought the crowd to its feet by comparing Mr. Hagee to Moses. "Like Moses," the senator said, "he's become the leader of a mighty multitude even greater than the multitude that Moses led from Egypt to the Promised Land."

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 Two faiths join in display of love for Israel by Abe Smith
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The New Haven Register on October 22, 2007
Hundreds of Christians and dozens of Jews gathered Sunday night at the Gateway Christian Fellowship church in a show of unity over their common roots and common love of Israel. Attendees of the "Night to Honor Israel," sponsored by Christians United for Israel, waved American and Israeli flags and listened to speakers who called for protecting the homeland and who denounced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the new Hitler of the Middle East. The Rev. Brian Simmons, pastor of Gateway and state director of CUFI, introduced the many Jewish and Christian leaders present for the event and then asked all of the Jewish people in the audience to stand up.  "Your Christian friends tonight are standing with you in brotherhood," he said, drawing applause.

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Evangelicals raise $8.5 million for Jewish state by Saul Elbein
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Jerusalem Post on October 17, 2007
The curtain rose to a hundred performers singing "Hinei Ma Tov" as the audience swayed back and forth and clapping their hands. They remained standing through "Hatikva," declarations of support for Israel, and a duet of "Jerusalem of Gold."  And when the evening closed - on a prayer for the State of Israel - 6,000 people, all but a few of them evangelical Christians, streamed out of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. On Sunday night, Pastor John Hagee, head of the Cornerstone Church and a founding member of Christians United for Israel, hosted his 26th annual "Night to Honor Israel." It was a massive multimedia extravaganza of music, skits, speeches and dance, broadcast live throughout the world and attended by Israeli representatives and community leaders from the Jewish Federation of Houston.

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Pastor Hagee on the Dennis Prager Show
Listen to  the interview that aired on October 15, 2007
Dennis Prager spoke to six thousand people at Cornerstone Church in San Antonio last night. The church gave $8 million to Israeli charities. Dennis talks to Pastor Hagee about the event and why evangelical Christians are so supportive of the Jewish state.

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Hagee cautious on Mideast talks by Abe Levy
Excerpts of the article that appeared in the San Antonio Express-News on October 15, 2007
Hagee and other like-minded nationally known Christian and Jewish leaders assemble each year for the Night to Honor Israel, a 26-year tradition started by Hagee and replicated in other cities nationwide as a way to foster unity between Jews and Christians. The event, which intentionally avoids invitations for Jews to convert to the Christian faith, highlights the Jewish heritage of that faith and a call for further vigilance on protecting the state of Israel. To strengthen the Jewish-Christian concern for Israel, Hagee started Christians United for Israel nearly two years ago. The organization claims to have about 50,000 members who represent a significant portion of the evangelical Christian community.

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Bishop TD Jakes joins celebrated US preachers live on God TV
Excerpts of the article that appeared in Christian Today on October 11, 2007
Three of America’s best loved preachers, Dr John Hagee, Bishop TD Jakes and Pastor Rod Parsley will be featured live on the God Channel this weekend as part of a major ‘Feast of Tabernacles’ celebration in the USA. The Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated annually by millions of Christians worldwide as a forerunner of Zechariah 14:16, which says the nations shall gather each year to worship God and keep the Feast.  This event, hosted by Dr Hagee also aims to promote unity between Christians and Jews emphasising the common ground they share. John Hagee is the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Texas and a strong supporter of solidarity between Christians and Jews. He also has deep ties with the State of Israel and the Jewish people and the event will culminate on Monday 15 October with a LIVE broadcast featuring ‘A Night to Honour Israel’.

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Pastor John Hagee on Glenn Beck's Radio Program
Excerpts of the transcript on October 9, 2007
The same thing happened when Hitler was in Germany, and Hitler was saying we're going to kill the Jews. There were a handful of people who rose up and resisted Hitler and predominantly the majority of the German people resisted. Martin Niemoller was a Lutheran pastor who resisted Hitler aggressively. Hitler put him in prison and the final days of Hitler's administration had Martin Niemoller killed because Martin Niemoller spotted him for who he was, labeled him and everything he said about him came exactly true. History is repeating itself. We are, in fact, reliving 1938. Iran is Germany. Ahmadinejad is Hitler. When Hitler was talking about killing the Jews, no one was listening, and especially the Christians of Europe were strangely silent, the Christians of the world were strangely silent. Here we are in the 21st century. We have another Hitler. He has the ability, he has the power, he has the motive. He wants to put together nuclear weapons to have a nuclear Holocaust in Israel, and this time we have organized a national organization called Christians United for Israel for the purpose of standing up and speaking for Israel and the Jewish people. We're not going to do this two times in a row. We are not going to have another Holocaust, not on our watch. There are millions of Christians in this country who are ready to scream on any given day that Israel is threatened and in a serious way.

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Community gathers to back Israel by Diane Haag
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Shreveport Times on October 10, 2007
More than 1,200 gathered for A Night to Honor Israel. Sponsored by Christians United for Israel, the events held throughout the country seek to remind Christians of their Jewish roots, bring people together in prayer and make a political statement in support of Israel. It quickly erupted into a rally as the Rev. John Hagee, founder of the movement and pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, gave the keynote address. "I speak for millions of evangelicals who have a deep belief to speak up for Israel, to pray for Israel, to financially support Israel until Messiah comes. Israel, you are not alone. Quoting Scripture, Hagee told those gathered they have been commanded to support Israel. He particularly relied on a passage from Genesis: "I will bless them that bless (Abraham)." As well, he reminded them of history. "Where are the nations that have persecuted the Jewish people? Where is Pharaoh? Where is Babylon? Where are the Greeks? Where is the Ottoman Empire? They are all footnotes in the boneyard of human history."

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Pastor Hagee on Glenn Beck's Radio Program
Excerpts of the transcript that aired on October 9, 2007
Pastor Hagee: The same thing happened when Hitler was in Germany, and Hitler was saying we're going to kill the Jews. There were a handful of people who rose up and resisted Hitler and predominantly the majority of the German people resisted. Martin Niemoller was a Lutheran pastor who resisted Hitler aggressively. Hitler put him in prison and the final days of Hitler's administration had Martin Niemoller killed because Martin Niemoller spotted him for who he was, labeled him and everything he said about him came exactly true. History is repeating itself. We are, in fact, reliving 1938. Iran is Germany. Ahmadinejad is Hitler. When Hitler was talking about killing the Jews, no one was listening, and especially the Christians of Europe were strangely silent, the Christians of the world were strangely silent. Here we are in the 21st century. We have another Hitler. He has the ability, he has the power, he has the motive. He wants to put together nuclear weapons to have a nuclear Holocaust in Israel, and this time we have organized a national organization called Christians United for Israel for the purpose of standing up and speaking for Israel and the Jewish people. We're not going to do this two times in a row. We are not going to have another Holocaust, not on our watch. There are millions of Christians in this country who are ready to scream on any given day that Israel is threatened and in a serious way. 

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Victim Of Suicide Bomb Tells Story
Excerpts of the article that appeared on ShreveportNews12.com on October 8, 2007

A local christian group will hold a ceremony, "A Night To Honor Israel" in Shreveport on Tuesday night.
"The whole program in general is for Christians to show their solidarity and support for the state of Israel," says Sharon Flournoy, one of the event coordinators, The Night to Honor Israel event will take place at the Shreveport Community Church on Tuesday night. The program begins at 7 p.m. The presentation will feature Eyal Neifeld and pastor John Hagee, a pastor from San Antonio who plays a big role in raising money for victims of violence in Israel.

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The last Zionists by Elyakim Haetzni
Excerpts of the article that appeared on YNetNews.com on October 2, 2007
Churches in the American Midwest are waving the Israeli flag, non-Jews are wearing the Star of David, they are opening up to Jewish music and other Jewish symbols. The Bible is what creates the encounter between us, and according to Reverend John C. Hagee, they support Israel because it is a fundamental value of Christianity, see the Book of Genesis: "And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

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 Falwell's sons carry on in the name of their father by Carlos Santos
Excerpts of the article that appeared in the Richmond Times Dispatch on September 30, 2007
"I have no plans to form a Moral Majority-type group in 2008, but we will ask our Liberty Baptist Fellowship churches to support Christians United for Israel, a group similar to Moral Majority and founded by Dr. John Hagee," he [Jerry Falwell Jr.} said.

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Israeli soldier tells story of hope, gratitude by Sherry P. Shephard
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Shreveport Times on September 28, 2007
Five years ago, Neifeld, an Israeli soldier, was on a bus when a suicide bomber who was standing next to him detonated the explosives. Nine people died that day. And although Neifeld's life was spared, when he woke up 2? months later, he was blind and deaf. Neifeld is thankful One Family Fund, a charity that helps victims of terrorism, was there for him when he needed it most. On Oct. 9, Neifeld will be in Shreveport to share his story and to thank those who have helped him. . More than $88,000 was raised for the charity last year and organizers are hopeful more money will be raised this year. The program is sponsored by Christians United for Israel. Pastor John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel, will be the keynote speaker. Hagee, founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, has written several books dealing with the second coming of Jesus. He has visited Israel 22 times and has met with every Israeli prime minister of the past 30 years.

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 Christian and Zionist by Don Cohen
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Atlanta Jewish Times on September 28, 2007
Christian support for Israel in the United States is more visible than ever. The Rev. John Hagee's Christians United for Israel (CUFI) holds events across the country and makes innovative use of the Internet. CUFI drew 4,500 in July 2006 to its first national conference in Washington, D.C., just 1,000 fewer than the American Israel Public Affairs Committee drew in March.  And CUFI cut deeply into that gap this past July at its second national conference.
In Michigan in January, the Rev. Keith Butler hosted Hagee at his Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, filling his 5,000-person sanctuary with evangelical fervor. In Atlanta in March, thousands gathered at an Israel Always event featuring CUFI's executive director, David Brog, and a video from Hagee.

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Iranian President Riles the Streets of New York by Ben Harris 
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Jewish Exponent on September 27, 2007
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was met with two major protests Monday in New York, the day before he was to deliver his annual address before the United Nations General Assembly. "I came here to support and stand with the Jews," said George Bellmany," who endured a 26-hour bus ride all the way from Florida so that he could attend the rally. Bellmany, who heard about the rally through the grass-roots group Christians United for Israel, insisted that he was unfazed by the long journey. "It's not really" a long distance, he said, "if you have a purpose."

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Local schools, organizations pack UN plaza by Elaine Durbach
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The New Jersey Jewish News on September 27, 2007
Busloads of protesters from New Jersey and the tristate area converged on the United Nations Monday to denounce Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was to appear at Columbia University that day and address the UN's General Assembly the next.T  housands of people came from a host of Jewish and non-Jewish organizations in New York, New Jersey, and even as far afield as California to take part in the protests.  The most prominent posters were the blue and white ones held aloft by hundreds of members of the group Christians United for Israel.  The Rev. Katherine Fosse and her friend Wendy Sundseth had come all the way from Minneapolis just to attend the rally. They held up a long banner that read, "We will not forget the Holocaust or 9/11. ""God told me to come, and to have a banner saying this," Fosse said. The church she works with, In Christ International Ministries, belongs to Christians United for Israel, the umbrella group that brought hundreds of placard-bearing supporters to the rally. Pastor Victor Styrsky, the California regional director of CUFI, was among the speakers.

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Tough US Welcome for Iran's Ahmadinejad by The Associated Press 
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Hindu on September 25, 2007
Thousands of people jammed two blocks across from the United Nations to protest Ahmadinejad's visit to New York. Organizers claimed a turnout of tens of thousands. High school students from Jewish day schools and yeshivas made up as much as half the crowd. There was also a contingent of several hundred from Christians United For Israel, a national organization that believes Israel should not concede any land to the Palestinians.

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A Night to Honor Israel announced by Diane Haag
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Shreveport Times on September 25, 2007
The Rev. John Hagee, one of the founders of Christians United for Israel, will be the guest speaker at Shreveport’s second A Night to Honor Israel event. Organizers announced today that it will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Shreveport Community Church, 5720 Buncombe Road. “It is an event that expresses solidarity between Christians and Jews,” particularly in support of the state of Israel, said the Rev. David Daniel, regional director of Christians United for Israel. Last year’s inaugural event attracted more than 1,000 people. 

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Iran's President Gets NYC Welcome by Ken Timmerman 
Excerpts of the article that appeared on NewsMax.com on September 24, 2007
Hundreds of the protesters carried yellow signs bearing the Iranian president’s likeness and a phrase, “Hitler lives.” Hundreds more lined police barricades at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza along 47th Street with posters that said, “Christians united for Israel.” Malcolm Hoenlein, vice president of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish organizations, was thrilled as he gazed out at the sea of bodies stretching all the way back to First Avenue, about a full city block away.  “In just 10 days, look at all the people who have come to this coalition,” he said.  “In the front lines, all are non-Jews.”

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“Evangelicals for Palestine?” 
Excerpts of the report  that appeared on CNN on September 20, 2007
Pastor Hagee was shown speaking at the Christians United for Israel Washington-Israel Summit in July.  Pastor Hagee said, “we support Israel because supporting Israel is a key core value of Christianity.  It begins in the book of Genesis with “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you.”

Perilous times by Barbara Elms
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Concord Monitor on September 15, 2007
Christians United For Israel held a rally in Washington, D.C., in July. There were several thousand Christians and Jews in this group, founded last year by Pastor John Hagee of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio. Their motto: We will be silent no more. They planned to meet with lawmakers to warn them they would not be silent if the United States put pressure on Israel to give up more land for peace.  The most frightening and eloquent speech was made by former House speaker Newt Gingrich. He said, "You cannot imagine the great danger that we are in, both Israel and the U.S." He also said, I "worry every day of my life because Iran has sworn to wipe Israel off the map with a nuclear or biological attack; after that, the U.S." There are eight known terrorist groups in the United States ready to strike

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Pro-Israel group wants limits on state investments by Jean Gordon
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Clarion-Ledger on September 8, 2007
The Mississippi chapter of Christians United for Israel says it is working with state lawmakers to pass legislation that would block investment of public funds in companies with ties to terrorism. "They're helping us to ensure that state money in Mississippi is invested terror-free," said the Rev. Phillip Knight, co-director of Mississippi's Christians United for Israel chapter, which hosted the Thursday evening event, "A Night to Honor Israel." Some 1,000 people turned out for the pro-Israel gathering at the Jackson Marriott to pledge their support for and donate money to the Jewish nation.
The crowd handed over $21,600 in donations for an Israeli orphanage that Christians United for Israel supports.

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Israeli orphanage benefits from Jackson event
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Clarion-Ledger on September 7, 2007
The Mississippi chapter of Christians United for Israel raised $21,600 Thursday night at the group’s “A Night to Honor Israel” event at the Jackson Marriott.The money is earmarked for an Israeli orphanage that the Christian Zionist group supports.Thursday’s event drew some 1,000 people, mostly evangelical Christians and some Jews, who waved American and Israeli flags during televangelist the Rev. John Hagee’s keynote address.

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'A Night to Honor Israel': raises political profile by Jean Gordon
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Clarion-Ledger on September 1, 2007
Dubbed "A Night to Honor Israel," Thursday's event is part of an evangelical movement that offers money and prayers to the Jewish nation. The rally will be hosted by the Mississippi chapter of Christians United for Israel, a national Christian Zionist group founded by San Antonio megachurch pastor and TV evangelist the Rev. John Hagee. "More evangelical Christians are concerned about the state of Israel both from a scriptural standpoint and an appreciation standpoint," said the Rev. Phillip Knight, state co-director for Christians United for Israel and president of the Congregational Methodist Church. "We're very indebted because without the Jewish people and the Jewish faith, we wouldn't have a lot of what we have in Christianity."

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Zealous for Zion by Michael Brendan Dougherty
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The American Conservative on August 27, 2007
In February 2006, televangelist John Hagee founded CUFI to “respond instantly to Washington with our concerns about Israel,” telling reporters to “think of CUFI as a Christian version of AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee].” In just over a year, Hagee, with help from charismatic pastors, is turning CUFI into the largest grassroots Christian political organization in the country. The second annual summit in Washington grew from just over 3,000 attendees last year to 4,500 this July. Some are Baptist, some Assemblies of God, others traveled from nondenominational churches. But they agree that the Bible commands them to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6), to “speak out for Zion’s sake” (Isaiah 62:1), to “be watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” (Isaiah 62:6), and to “bless the Jewish people” (Genesis 12:3). “When 50 million American evangelicals unite with 5 million American Jews,“ Hagee says, “you know it is a match made in heaven.”

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God’s Christian Warriors a Special on CNN by Christiane Amanpour
Excerpts of the transcript that aired on CNN on August 23, 2007
HAGEE: Send a message to America, send a message to the enemies of Israel, send a message to the people of Israel. Israel, you are not alone. I believe that the Bible, the Torah, is the truth. I believe there's the Torah way and the wrong way. AMANPOUR: And the right way says Hagee is to protect and defend Israel at all costs. Hagee is a Zionist, a Christian Zionist. HAGEE: A Christian Zionist is someone who believes that the Bible supports Israel. God begins in the foreign policy of Israel in Genesis 12:3 saying, I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you. AMANPOUR: You said God's foreign policy statement? HAGEE: Yes. AMANPOUR: God has foreign policy statements? HAGEE: Absolutely. AMANPOUR: And his is pro-Israel? HAGEE: Concerning the Jewish people, that's his foreign policy statement. AMANPOUR: Hagee's devotion to Israel began in 1978 when he first visited the Jewish state. HAGEE: While I was praying at the Wailing Wall, I turned and saw a Jewish man. He had a prayer shawl, reading the Bible, rocking back and forth, and I just felt that that man is my spiritual brother.

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Christians, Jews in Holy Land Alliance  
Excerpts of the article that appeared on CNN.com on August 20, 2007
A recent poll found that 59 percent of American evangelicals believe Israel is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates 85 million evangelicals believe God tells them to support Israel -- more than six times the world's Jewish population. Christian Zionists often converge on Washington by the thousands to lobby members of Congress in support of Israel.Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Connecticut, was among the speakers at last month's convention of Christians United for Israel."There are a lot more Christian Zionists in America than Jewish Zionists," the former Democratic vice presidential candidate told the group. "The support of Christian Zionists today is critical to Israel's security and strength and to America's security and strength."

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Perry gets support far and wide for Iran divestment by Peggy Fikac
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Houston Chronicle on August 12, 2007
Three of those earlier e-mails were tied to Christians United for Israel, an evangelical group whose national chairman is Pastor John Hagee of San Antonio, at whose church Perry appeared before the November election. Those e-mails cited federal, not state, legislation. But the group's executive director, David Brog, urged members during a lobbying trip to Washington to press for action from state lawmakers when they returned home."I think in the face of great evil, not to act is sinful," Brog said of the effort in an interview. "During World War II, I would not have wanted my state funds to bolster the Nazi regime. Yes, the federal government has to take the lead on foreign policy, but there are certain uses of state funds that are unacceptable."

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Pastors urge Bush not to press Israel
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Jewish Telegraphic Agency on August 1, 2007
Leaders of a pro-Israel evangelical group urged President Bush not to press Israel to relinquish any land.  "We are opposed to America pressuring Israel to give up more land to anyone for any reason," said the letter sent last week by 51 church officials aligned with Christians United for Israel. "Land-for-peace is a failed policy of the past that has produced nothing but more war."

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Evangelical Split Over Israel Batters Bush by Larry Cohler-Esses
Excerpts of the article that appeared The Jewish Week on August 3, 2007
The letter from Christians United for Israel, whose leader, Pastor John Hagee, was a keynote speaker at AIPAC’s Washington policy conference this year, lectured Bush, “Simply stated, land for peace is a failed policy of the past that has produced nothing but more war. Under the current circumstances, we feel a two-state solution would be unwise.” Rev. Hagee’s letter, signed by himself and 50 other CUFI ministers, marked the well-funded new group’s first official effort against Israeli and U.S. policy. It was a step that Jewish groups that have worked with CUFI had earlier worried about and came just one week after its own national conference in Washington, where key officials sounded a similar theme. Representing a key constituent of Bush’s base, CUFI’s White House lobbying is likely to compel administration attention.

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American Evangelicals divide over Israel
Excerpts of the article that appeared Israel Today on August 2, 2007
American Christian Zionist umbrella group Christians United for Israel (CUFI) sent a letter to US President George W. Bush earlier this week insisting that he stop pressuring Israel to surrender its biblical heartland for the creation of yet another Arab Muslim state.  The letter, which was released to the press on Tuesday, noted that “land-for-peace is a failed policy of the past that has produced nothing but more war.”  Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who is close to CUFI director Pastor John Hagee, recently voiced a similar position, pointing out that “the withdrawal from Gaza two years ago proved that any Israeli withdrawal, particularly a unilateral one, does not advance peace but establishes a terror base for radical Islam.”

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Support for Israel summit attracts thousands of Christians and Jews By Ken Clark
Excerpts of the article that appeared in Citizen USA on August 1, 2007
About 4500 people representing all 50 states and 10 foreign countries gathered on Tuesday evening, July 17, at the Washington DC Convention Center. “A Night to Honor Israel,” was the last of several meetings, part of the three-day Washington/Israel Summit organized by Christians United For Israel (CUFI), a grassroots association of Christian individuals and organizations. CUFI has two main objectives: to educate and build Christian support for Israel throughout America, and to convene annually in Washington DC. (The 2007 Washington/Israel Summit was only the second such annual event.)  Numerous speakers appeared at the three-hour convocation, including Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg of San Antonio, Israeli Ambassador Sallai Merridor, Israel’s former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pastor John Hagee, former Israeli Ambassador Dore Gold, and Newt Gingrich. Standing ovations and the waving of the American and the Israeli flags frequently interrupted the speeches. Musical performances between the major speeches created an atmosphere that fell somewhere between a revival meeting and a political convention.

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Christian Group Warns U.S. Against Pressuring Israel on Peace Deal by Sharon Kehnemui Liss
Excerpts of the article that appeared on FoxNews.com on July 30, 2007
"I don't believe Israel should give up any piece of their land. I think they've given up too much of their land," said Michelle Stephens, one of 50 million Evangelicals who are said to be "waking up" to the idea that Israel's existence is integrally tied to their own religious outlook. Stephens, 37, traveled with her husband cross-country to Washington, D.C., last week to join nearly 5,000 like-minded Evangelicals attending a conference called Christians United for Israel. The inflexibility could come from 2,000 years of shared ancestry between Christians and Jews, or it could be a byproduct of CUFI's indefatigable founder, Pastor John Hagee. Hagee, head of the 19,000-strong Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, started leading Evangelicals toward support for Israel 26 years ago. Things moved slowly along but after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced in February 2006 that he wanted to wipe Israel from the map, Hagee mobilized, bringing together 400 evangelical leaders from business, media, academia and the ministry to form CUFI. CUFI's talking points for the U.S. government are steeped in national security and Zionistic aspirations: Don't pressure Israel to give up any more land for peace, don't divvy up Jerusalem, move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, take out Hezbollah, stop Iran's nuclear pursuits and don't cut and run

prematurely from Iraq.

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Evangelicals' letter backs PA state by Etgar Lefkovits
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Jerusalem Post on July 29, 2007
But other senior evangelical Christian leaders in the US blasted the letter as misrepresenting mainstream evangelical beliefs. "The authors of this letter do not represent the views of the vast majority of Bible-believing mainstream evangelicals in America," said San Antonio-based Pastor John C. Hagee, a prominent Israel supporter. "The problem in the Middle East is that Israel has no partner for peace, and Israel's neighbors refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist," Hagee said.  Hagee's organization "Christians United for Israel" which has been dubbed the Christian AIPAC and which held its second-annual Washington summit last week with 4,500 delegates from across the US, is planning on sending US President George W. Bush its own letter voicing their opposition to American pressure on Israel for any further land withdrawals.

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Christian Group Warns: Iran Wants to Hit Israel First, U.S. Next by Sharon Kehnemui Liss
Excerpts of the article that appeared on FoxNews.com on July 29 2007
Washington was inundated with thousands of Christians last week, but unlike their usual marches to protest abortion rights and other social issues, these Christians had something else in mind: U.S. Middle East policy. In fact, many seemed not to notice the hot, humid, cloudy weather — a typical July day in Washington — as they prepared to lobby Congress. They had just been energized by the preaching of Pastor John Hagee, who delivered an impassioned speech the night before in support of Israel. While a quiet man of gentle disposition, Hagee, who leads the 19,000-strong Cornerstone Church in San Antonio and heads Christians United for Israel, can quickly whip up the faithful. His words, while rich in biblical citation and religious imagery, aren't minced. "It is clear that Israel is in the greatest danger she has faced since six Arab armies tried to strangle the Jewish state in the birth canal in 1948," Hagee told the crowd at the conference's Night to Honor Israel gala. The event also featured former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu among others.

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Coalition of Evangelicals Voices Support for Palestinian State by Laurie Goodstein
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The New York Times on July 29, 2007

"Christians United for Israel is opposed to America pressuring Israel to give up more land to anyone for any reason. What has the policy of appeasement ever produced for Israel that was beneficial?" Mr. Hagee said. "God gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob a covenant in the Book of Genesis for the land of Israel that is eternal and unbreakable, and that covenant is still intact." Christians United for Israel held a conference with 4,500 attendees in Washington this month, and Mr. Hagee sends e-mail action alerts on Israel every Monday to 55,000 pastors and leaders.

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Night to Honor Israel Turns Into 26 Year Project by Sharon Kehnemui Liss
Excerpts of the article that appeared on FoxNews.com on July 27, 2007
Hagee, a portly, grandfatherly type with silver-haired temples and wire-rimmed glasses, sat quietly on a couch in a hotel room-turned-interview space last week. He recalled how the 50 million-strong evangelical community has shifted its support toward protecting the Holy Land. "I went to Israel — first time in 1978 as a tourist myself, and I came home a biblical Zionist, and I began to explain to our congregation the biblical responsibility that we have to be supportive of Israel and as I began to educate them, they began to see it and that evolved to that original night to honor Israel in 1981," he said. Hagee said he formed the idea of a citywide "Night to Honor Israel" after he heard Israel being "vilified" in the media for destroying Saddam Hussein's nuclear reactor in Iraq. Hagee described that night in the Lila Cockwell Theater as "magical" and "electric."   "The building was packed. There was enough tension in the room to give a brass doorknob a headache. We walked out on the stage and we had our television cameras there because we wanted the world to see what we were doing. We had our choir there, they sang Hebrew songs, and I assure you it was southern Hebrew, but it was our best effort," he said. On the way home I told my wife, I said, 'If these anti-Semites think they can shut us down with threats, we're going to have a night to honor Israel until they get used to it and until the enemies of Israel recognize their right to exist,'" he said. "So here we are 26 years later, we just kept doing a Night to Honor Israel every year."

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Christians gather in D.C. to pledge ‘Never again!’ by Brooke Gunning
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Examiner on July 23, 2007
Never again! Not on our watch!” were the repeated heartfelt cries of more than 4,500 Evangelical Christians who gathered at the Washington, DC, Convention Center on July last week for an “Evening to Honor Israel,” as they pledged their support of Israel as a nation and the Jewish people. Christians United for Israel, an umbrella group for churches, individuals and Christian ministries, was founded in 2006 by Pastor John Hagee, founder and leader of the 18,000 member multiracial Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. He is joined in his effort by many internationally respected church leaders, such as Bishop Keith Butler, and Pastors Rod Parsley and Kenneth Copeland, with total adherents in the millions. Speakers at the Summit included former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Senators Joseph Lieberman and John McCain, and a former and the current Ambassador to the United Nations, Dore Gold and Sallai Meridor. Thousands of the faithful, representing all 50 states, as well as the American Territories, converged for the 2nd Annual CUFI conference. The extremely well-organized three day Summit Monday through Wednesday included meetings with Representatives on Capitol Hill to encourage continued U.S. support of Israel, as well as to express concern over the grave global threat posed by Islamofascism.

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Evangelicals, Muslims start rare dialogue by Bay Fang
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Chicago Tribune on July 23, 2007
John Hagee, a Texas televangelist and founder of Christians United for Israel, said that any alliance with Arab leaders would have to have limitations. His group held a rally recently to lobby Congress on behalf of Israel.

"There are some things about which there is no compromise," Hagee said. "They have to recognize Israel's right to exist, to cease from terrorism and to live by the rule of law as established by the community of nations. If they can do that, then hooray and hallelujah, we've got something to talk about."

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Isaiah 62:1 By Harry R. Jackson, Jr
Excerpts of the article that appeared on townhall.com on July 23, 2007
Providentially, a group called Christians United For Israel (CUFI), led by Pastor John Hagee, hosted their second annual conference to inspire their pro-Israel base and involve them in lobbying both the Congress and the Senate. United by the scriptural admonition to honor Israel, pastors and lay people from all 50 states were present. CUFI had set up these meetings a year before. They could never have anticipated that a major vote on the Iraq war (which has huge ramifications for Israel) would be planned during their three-day stay in Washington.  Nonetheless, their presence and their prayers may have been a part of causing Harry Reid to suddenly withdraw his Defense Appropriations Bill from the Senate floor on Wednesday. Pastor John Hagee’s opinion on the matter is obvious. On Tuesday night, he gushed the following statement, “CUFI is quickly becoming one of the most powerful lobbying groups in America!” The key scripture for that night was the perfect job description for the lobbyist and activists: “For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet…” [Isa. 62:1-NIV].

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Falwell lauded for support of Israel by Ron Brown
Excerpts of the article that appeared in TheNews & Advance Lynchburg, VA on July 23, 2007
The late Rev. Jerry Falwell last week was recognized at a Washington banquet attended by 6,100 people for his steadfast support for the State of Israel. The Defender of Israel award was given posthumously to Falwell, who died on May 15. The Defender of Israel award was bestowed on Falwell at the second annual summit of Christians United For Israel (CUFI), a group started in 2006 by San Antonio Pastor, the Rev. John Hagee. The award was accepted for Falwell by his son, Jerry Falwell Jr., the chancellor of Liberty University. One of the four stated goals in the charter of the Moral Majority, which Falwell Sr. founded in 1979, was support for the State of Israel.

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CUFI Holds A Special Night To Honor Israel by: Joseph Puder
Excerpts of the article that appeared inThe Bulletin on July 23, 2007

Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a two-year old organization founded and chaired by Pastor John Hagee, organized a magnificent evening last Tuesday for what has become a traditional Night To Honor Israel, held during the annual summit this week in Washington, D.C.  More than 5,000 Bible-believing Christians and a smattering of Jews filled the enormous main hall of the convention center to express their warmth and sincerity toward the state of Israel and the Jewish people. Christians from all 50 states of the union were represented.  Pastors who serve as state directors were individually recognized on stage to the accompaniment of the Cornerstone Singers and orchestra playing Hebrew/Israeli music. A procession of students ceremoniously carried beautifully adorned banners representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

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Hagee: Jimmy Carter is Israel's 'enemy in America'
Excerpts of the article that appeared in Israel Today on July 23, 2007

American Christian leader Pastor John Hagee this month labeled Jimmy Carter as Israel's “enemy in America,” and demanded the former president reveal the anti-Israel sources of funding for his foreign policy research center. “I call on former president Carter to publicly disclose how much of the Carter Center's funding is coming from anti-Israel sources in the Middle East,” Hagee demanded during an address to the annual Washington, DC gathering of his new organization, Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Hagee cited a recent article in the conservative magazine National Review that revealed Carter receives the bulk of his funding from Saudi Arabia.

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Praying Toward Zion
Segment that aired on Christian Financial Radio Network on July 23, 2007

Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a two-year old organization founded and chaired by Pastor John Hagee, organized a magnificent evening on Tuesday, July 17, 2007, for what has become a traditional Night To Honor Israel, held during the annual Summit this week at the Washington D.C. Convention Center.

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Evangelist Hagee calls Carter "enemy of Israel," cites Saudi funding
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Israel Insider on July 22, 2007

CUFI is a grassroots organization provides a national umbrella for pro-Israel Christian groups in America. Hagee created the group in 2006 as a national movement focused based on the support of Israel. Directors from all 50 states were present at Wednesday's event.

"It's 1938 all over again," said Hagee, cribbing a line from Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu. "Iran is Germany, Ahmadinejad is Hitler and he is talking about killing the Jews. The only way to prevent a nuclear war is to make certain it never starts."

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Who needs Israel anyway? by Pat Boone
Excerpts of the article that appeared on WorldNetDaily.com on July 21, 2007
I just returned from a momentous event in our nation's capital. An organization called Christians United for Israel, or CUFI, convened 4,000 people from all 50 states in several days of briefings and strategy sessions, culminating in an exhilarating, rousing rally in the D.C. Convention Center featuring Jewish leaders and top Christian ministers celebrating the things we hold in common and the spiritual bonds that unite us. The next day, several thousand of the participants fanned out over Washington and Capitol Hill, lobbying virtually every representative and senator on behalf of Israel and its sovereignty.  

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A leading pro-Israel evangelical Christian pastor called on Jimmy Carter to reveal the sources of funding for his peace center
Excerpts of article that appeared in The Jewish Telegraphic Agency on July 20, 2007

The former U.S. president is Israel's "enemy in America," Pastor John Hagee, who heads Christians United For Israel, told CUFI's Washington conference this week. He slammed Carter for his book last year likening Israel's settlement policy to apartheid and for calling the isolation of the Hamas-led Gaza Strip "criminal." Hagee cited a report in a conservative journal, National Review, that alleged the Carter Center, which combats poverty, defends human rights and promotes peace, had received funding from Saudis who seek to influence U.S. Middle East policy.

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‘Not One Inch’ Still Alive And Well by James D. Besser
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Jewish Week on July 20, 2007

The CUFI event drew an overflow crowd of Christians from across the country; Tuesday’s gala at the Washington Convention center was even bigger. High-energy music in English and Hebrew performed by groups from Hagee’s Cornerstone Church in San Antonio brought the crowd, waving Israeli and American flags, to its feet. The rostrum was crowded with CUFI state leaders, including a number of top Evangelical pastors. The evening session also included greetings from President Bush and a benediction by Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg, a San Antonio Orthodox leader who has been close to Hagee, thanking God for “giving the world community a spiritual leader of the nobility, courage and wisdom of Pastor John Hagee, who personifies God’s living words.”

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GOP hopefuls blast Bush on Mideast
Excerpts of article that appeared in The Jewish Telegraphic Agency on July 20, 2007

Two likely Republican presidential candidates told a Christian audience that Bush administration policies endangered Israel.Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives who has yet to formally announce his candidacy, told this week's Washington summit of Christians United for Israel conference that President Bush was not doing enough to confront Hamas. Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) made a surprise visit to the rally and spoke out against radical Islam and Iran’s nuclear program. He blamed what he said was the Bush administration's mismanagement of the war in Iraq for endangering Israel.

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Moderate Muslims: Afraid and irrelevant By Tristan Emmanuel
Excerpts of article that appeared in WorldNetDaily on July 20, 2007

CUFI is an organization to gather Christians of all denominational stripes in support of the state of Israel. There was broad representation at the event all the way from "Zionists" and pre-millennialists to Christians who simply believe support for Israel makes good political sense. It is the only true democracy in the Middle East, the first line of defense in the war on terror.  It was a well-organized event. The group clearly means business. But the repeated refrain that we are fighting "militants" and not "moderates" got me thinking. Experts, including several at the conference, have been telling us for several years now that our war is with the "radical faction" of Islam, that the so-called "religion of peace" has been hijacked by militants.

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Bush's Mideast Policy Stokes Debate by Evan Moore
Excerpts of the article that appeared on CNSNews.com on July 20, 2007

President Bush's newly reiterated support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is attracting criticism and support. In a speech at the White House, Bush said the Palestinian people face "a moment of clarity" and a "moment of choice." In a speech in Washington D.C., Tuesday, Christians United For Israel President John Hagee declared, "Let me be clear about this ... Israel is not the problem. The problem is Arab rejection of Israel's right to exist. The problem is that Israel has no partner for peace."

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Israel's envoy to U.S.: Free world is under attack by Iran by Galit Greenfield
Excerpts of the article that appeared in Ha ’aretz on July 19, 2007

Israel's ambassador to the United States, Sallai Meridor, said Wednesday that Israel and the free world are under attack by Iran, with a combination of fanaticism, terrorism and nuclear capability posing the most serious threat since the 1930s. "We must prevent this nightmare," Meridor said at the "Night to Honor Israel" event, part of the second annual Christians United for Israel summit in Washington, D.C. "The world must act and act now." CUFI is a grassroots organization that serves as a national umbrella for all pro-Israel Christians groups in America. The organization was established in 2006 by Texas Pastor John Hagee, who decided the time had come to create a national movement focused based on the support of Israel. Directors from all 50 states were present at Wednesday's event. Meridor ended his speech with a pledge that Jerusalem would remain Israel's eternal, united capital. "I wish all my Israeli friends could be here tonight to get strength, love, care and dedication from you," said Meridor. "I have two words for you: 'Toda Raba! [thank you very much].'"

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Evangelicals Urged to Defend Israel
Excerpts of article that appeared in Citizen Link on July 19, 2007

More than 3,000 evangelicals met in Washington, D.C., this week for the Christians United for Israel Summit, where they heard about the increasing pressures against the historic and biblical country.  Gary Bauer, president of American Values, said the Bush administration’s pressure on Israel to give up land is a “move in the wrong direction.” Summit attendees also lobbied Congress this week, urging them to stand with Israel.

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Conservative presidential candidates rally for Israel by Hilary Leila Kreger and Nathaniel Rosen
Excerpts of article that appeared in The Jerusalem Post on July 19, 2007

Potential Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich blasted the Bush administration Tuesday for its policy on the Palestinians before a crowd of Christian supporters of Israel. "If George W. Bush wanted to send a signal to Hamas tomorrow morning, he could move the embassy to Jerusalem tomorrow," he said to rousing cheers from more than 4,000 people from around the country attending a Christians United For Israel rally. Earlier in the day, declared Republican candidate John McCain, an Arizona Senator, made a surprise appearance at the conference. He spoke about what he dubbed perhaps the "greatest evil" that the US and Israel have ever faced - radical Islam.

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4500 Israel-supporting Christians hit Washington DC by Stan Goodenough
Excerpts of article that appeared in The Jerusalem Newswire on July 19, 2007

As many as 4,500 American Christians reportedly descended on Washington DC this week to demonstrate their support of Israel and lobby senators and congressmen on Capitol Hill to stand strongly with the Jewish state.  The event was sponsored by Christians United for Israel, an organization started two years ago by Texas pastor John Hagee, and which is described as having quickly become one of the most powerful lobbying groups for Israel in the United States.  Two messages sent to the White House and Capitol Hill by the gathering were 'Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem' and 'Neutralize the Iranian nuclear threat.'

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Embassy Row by James Morrison
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Washington Times on July 18, 2007

A former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations yesterday warned the United States that a premature withdrawal of troops from Iraq would simply encourage Islamic terrorists, who would see the move as a victory in their war against the West. "If you leave in three months or three years, if that withdrawal is seen as a victory [for the terrorists], you will fuel a global jihad," Ambassador Dore Gold told editors and reporters at The Washington Times.  Mr. Gold, in Washington for the annual conference of Christians United for Israel, said his country has learned that giving up land for peace only guarantees more Israeli bloodshed.

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Pro-Israel Christians Mobilize in D.C. by Nathan Guttman
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Forward on July 18, 2007

Though it’s a new player in the pro-Israel lobbying field, CUFI has been successful in positioning itself as the main political force to advocate support for Israel among Christian evangelicals, who number about 75 million. With chapters in 50 states, CUFI began building bridges with local Christian and Jewish communities and organizing pro-Israel funding events known as a “Night To Honor Israel.” The phrase was coined by Hagee, who started the event 26 years ago in San Antonio, Texas. The vast grass-roots operation has yielded dozens of rallies in support of Israel throughout the country, and the group’s Washington operation has built strong ties with lawmakers from the religious right who previously had little to do with pro-Israel lobbyists. Attendance at CUFI’s meeting this week in Washington was up in comparison with last year’s 3,500 participants. Last Tuesday, Hagee hosted his “Night To Honor Israel,” which featured politicians, religious leaders and an amount of enthusiasm that kept the Christian delegates dancing on their feet for hours to the sounds of Jewish tunes. On Wednesday, more than 4,000 members of the pro-Israel Christian lobby were expected to mobilize in a massive lobbying day on Capitol Hill. The group has set three legislative goals for this year: supporting the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, which would impose tough sanctions on Tehran; advocating for approval of foreign aid to Israel, and calling for the approval of measures that will enable international forces in Lebanon to be more active in blocking Hezbollah.

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McCain supports war in speech to evangelical supporters
Excerpts of the article that appeared on The Associated Press wire on July 18, 2007

John McCain told Christian evangelical supporters of Israel that withdrawing troops from Iraq now would be "one of the most catastrophic and consequential disasters for this nation." The Republican presidential contender addressed Christians United for Israel as the Senate began debate on a measure that would require the U-S to bring troops home this fall. McCain said backing the Democratic-sponsored measure and withdrawing would be to "declare defeat and allow al-Qaida to obtain victory." Staying and stabilizing Iraq could help ensure the safety of Israel and the Middle East, he said, winning loud applause.

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This Day in Politics
Excerpts of the article that appeared in the Star Ledger New Jersey on July 18, 2007

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain yesterday told Christian evangelical supporters of Israel that withdrawing troops from Iraq now would be "one of the most catastrophic and consequential disasters for this nation."  The Arizona senator addressed Christians United for Israel as the Senate began what is expected to be an all-night debate on a measure that would require the U.S. to bring troops home this fall.  A strong war supporter, McCain said backing the Democrat-sponsored measure and withdrawing would be to "declare defeat and allow al Qaeda to obtain victory." Staying and stabilizing Iraq could help ensure the safety of Israel and the Middle East, he said, winning loud applause.

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Radioactivity: Live Call-In
Excerpts from WMNF 88.5 FM that aired on July 18, 2007

Thousands of members of Christians United for Israel are heading to Capitol Hill today to lobby Congress on behalf of the Jewish state. The group's founder, the Reverend John Hagee (HAYG'-ee), declared last night, "We support Israel because we are Bible-believing Christians," and said the world needs to see that "the sleeping giant of Christian Zionism has awakened." At "A Night to Honor Israel" banquet last night, the conservative Christian leader called on President Bush to move the U-S embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Hagee also called for American divestment from Iran, which he compared to Nazi Germany as a threat to the Jewish people. Hagee said Mideast tensions shouldn't be blamed on Israel, but on Islamic radicals and moderate Muslims who won't condemn them.

Christian Zionists: Ahmadinejad is new Hitler by Yitzhak Benhorin
Excerpts of the article that appeared in YNet News on July 18, 2007

Thousands of members of Christians United for Israel headed to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to lobby Congress on behalf of the Jewish state. The group's founder, the Reverend John Hagee, declared, "We support Israel because we are Bible-believing Christians," and said the world needs to see that "the sleeping giant of Christian Zionism has awakened."  Hagee said that the entire Christian world kept quiet during World War II and allowed the genocide of the Jewish people. "This time we will not be silent," Hagee said. 
At "A Night to Honor Israel" banquet, Hagee called on President Bush to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He also called for American divestment from Iran which he compared to Nazi Germany as a threat to the Jewish people.

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Hagee hosts Christian Zionist summit in D.C. by Bob Allen
Excerpts of the article that appeared in the Dallas News Religion on July 18, 2007

Thousands of Christian Zionists are meeting this week in Washington in a second annual gathering to bolster evangelical support for Israel and fan opposition to radical Islam. San Antonio mega-church pastor and author John Hagee's Christians United for Israel's first gathering last year drew about 3,500 Christians to the nation's capital to meet and lobby members of Congress on pro-Israel legislation. This year, in a summit meeting July 16-19, he hopes for twice that many. Sen. Joseph Lieberman and Congressman Roy

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MSNBC Reports on Senator McCain’s Address to CUFI by Andrew Merten
Excerpts of the article that appeared on MSNBC on July 17, 2007

McCain spoke to the group Christians United for Israel today here in Washington, drawing loud applause and several standing ovations for some harsh anti-Iran rhetoric and his continued opposition to withdrawal from Iraq. During his brief speech, which was billed as a surprise visit (although cameras from nearly every major media outlet were present), McCain stressed the importance of continued support for Israel. He called the country the “only and best democracy in the Middle East,” warning that withdrawal from Iraq now would only embolden anti-Israeli nations like Iran. Although members of the group -- which boasts a membership of over 50,000 Christian pastors across the country -- decried President Bush’s use of the word “occupation” to describe Israeli activities in Palestinian territories during yesterday’s White House briefing, McCain refrained from criticizing the president directly. Instead, he focused more on addressing the issues of Iraq and Iran rather than wading into the topic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. McCain commented that he was “proud” of Bush, saying, “We will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.” The Arizona senator concluded his remarks by commenting on his own faith -- something he doesn't speak about as often as other presidential hopefuls. He said that his own personal religious beliefs helped get him through his time in a Vietnamese prison camp, telling a story of a guard who drew a crucifix on the ground for him when he was allowed to go outside on Christmas Day one year.

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Clinton promises to expand federal aid to local governments for health care, development By Bob Lewis
Excerpts of the article that appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on July 17, 2007

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on Tuesday told Christian evangelical supporters of Israel that withdrawing troops from Iraq now would be “one of the most catastrophic and consequential disasters for this nation.”  The Arizona senator addressed Christians United for Israel as the Senate began what is expected to be an all-night debate on  Christians United for Israel was formed a year ago by pastors who believe the Bible instructs Christians to protect Israel, led by Texas televangelist John Hagee. Several thousand members are meeting in Washington this week to lobby Congress.

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Let our unconditional alliance be mutual by Shelly Neese
Excerpts of article that appeared in The Jerusalem Post on July 17, 2007

'It's a new day in America. The sleeping giant of Christian Zionism has awakened!" Pastor John Hagee announced in his booming voice to thunderous applause at the AIPAC Annual Policy Conference last March. What Hagee humbly omitted is that Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a group he formed just over a year ago, deserves much of the credit for arousing the sleepy 50-million-man giant.  To be sure, Zionist Christians are no recent phenomena. Neither is their communal work on behalf of Israel. For the past century, there have been Christian groups supporting Israel through their pocketbooks, prayer, and political power. What changed with CUFI is the visibility and consolidation of the Christian Zionist network. CUFI's stated purpose is to "provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church, para-church organization, ministry or individual in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel in matters related to Biblical issues." CUFI, in a short period of time, has become one of the most important Christian grassroots organizations in America. Hesitant to call itself a lobby, preferring the term "national association," CUFI is often described as a Christian parallel to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

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McCain supports war in speech to evangelical supporters
Excerpts of the article that appeared on The Associated Press wire on July 18, 2007

John McCain told Christian evangelical supporters of Israel that withdrawing troops from Iraq now would be "1 of the most catastrophic and consequential disasters for this nation." The Republican presidential contender addressed Christians United for Israel as the Senate began debate on a measure that would require the US to bring troops home this fall.

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Sen. McCain tells Israel supporters U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would be disaster
Excerpts of the article that appeared in the International Herald Tribune on July 17, 2007

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on Tuesday told Christian evangelical supporters of Israel that withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq now would be "one of the most catastrophic and consequential disasters for this nation." Christians United for Israel was formed a year ago by pastors who believe the Bible instructs Christians to protect Israel, led by Texas televangelist John Hagee. Several thousand members are meeting in Washington this week to lobby Congress.

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Sen. McCain tells Israel supporters U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would be disaster by the Associated Press
Excerpts of the article that appeared in My Fox Phoenix on July 17, 2007

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on Tuesday told Christian evangelical supporters of Israel that withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq now would be "one of the most catastrophic and consequential disasters for this nation." The Arizona senator addressed Christians United for Israel as the Senate began what is expected to be an all-night debate on a measure that would require the U.S. to bring troops home later this year. Christians United for Israel was formed a year ago by pastors who believe the Bible instructs Christians to protect Israel, led by Texas televangelist John Hagee. Several thousand members are meeting in Washington this week to lobby Congress.

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US Downplays Mideast Meeting by Terence Hunt
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Guardian Unlimited on July 17, 2007

The White House said Tuesday the international meeting on the Middle East proposed by President Bush should not be viewed as ``a big peace conference.'' Meanwhile, thousands of Christians from across the U.S. held the second annual Christians United for Israel convention in a Washington hotel. ``Israel's enemies are our enemies,'' Brigitte Gabrielle, a Lebanese Christian, said in a speech. ``We need to come together to fight Islamic fascism.'' Frank Gaffney, president of the private Center for Security Policy, said, ``The Islamic fascists have Israel in mind as an appetizer. We are the main course.'' And Robert Satloff, executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, speaking about Iran, said Israel is the immediate target of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the United States is the long-term target. The pro-Israel Christians plan on Wednesday to visit congressional offices to urge support for Israel.

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Bush seeks support for peace plan by Ron Kampeas
Excerpts of article that appeared in The Jewish Telegraphic Agency on July 17, 2007
Bush pledged to move more than $270 million in appropriated funds to the Palestinians, including $80 million to the Palestinian Authority for defense training -- much greater sums than were available until just a few weeks ago, when Abbas was still in a nominal coalition with Hamas. Congressional sources said they did not foresee a problem for such a transfer, although at least one critical constituency -- evangelical Christians -- was set to pose tough questions. "We will be analyzing that speech very carefully, then making judgments about where to weigh in," said Gary Bauer, a top evangelical leader attending this week's national Christians United for Israel summit.  Bauer spoke with some authority: The event drew 4,000 delegates from all 50 states, with appointments in virtually every congressional office set for Wednesday.

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Christians Unite For Israel Rally in D.C.
Excerpts of the broadcast that appeared on CBNNews.com on July 17, 2007

More than 3,000 Christians from across the United States are in the nation's capital this week to show their support for Israel. Pastor John Hagee, founder of Christians United For Israel, warns that radical Islam poses a grave threat to Israel's existence. Hagee says Iran's president should be taken seriously when he says Israel should be wiped off the map. On Wednesday, the CUI group will head to Capitol Hill to ask lawmakers to continue to support Israel.

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Christian Group Gathers in DC to Show Support of Israel by Evan Moore
Excerpts of the article that appeared on CNSNews.com on July 18, 2007

Evangelical Christians from all 50 states gathered in Washington, D.C., this week to express their solidarity with the state of Israel in the face of mounting challenges to its security from Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran.Christians United for Israel, a group formed by San Antonio mega-church Pastor John Hagee, is holding its second annual summit in the District of Columbia. CUFI's main objectives are to "educate and build Christian support for Israel throughout America" by educating Christians on the "biblical and moral imperatives of supporting Israel" and "to convene in Washington" in order to "enable CUFI members to personally speak with their elected representatives on behalf of Israel."

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Christian Pro-Israel Gathering This Week in Washington
Excerpts from the KXMB (North Dakota) transcript on July 16, 2007

The Reverend John Hagee says this week's Washington/Israel "summit" will rally Christians in this country to the cause of Israel's survival which he says is threatened by Islamic radicalism.  He says Christians United for Israel was founded to bring together every "pro-Israel church, ministry and individual" to "stand up and speak out for Israel and the Jewish people" and that it "will stand with Israel until every enemy of Zion has been defeated and Israel has a just and lasting peace." He says his fellow Christians and others who argue that "Zionism" is behind some of the violence and hatred in the Middle East and is unfair to Palestinians, don't understand the history of the region or Biblical truth.

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Hagee Gathering Raises $50,000 for Federation by Debra Morton Gelbart
Excerpts of article that appeared in the Jewish News of Greater Phoneix on June 29, 2007

There were plenty of surprises at "A Night to Honor Israel" at Phoenix Symphony Hall on Sunday, June 24.More than 1,600 people attended the $18-a-ticket event, sponsored by Christians United for Israel (CUFI), yet fewer than a dozen silent anti-Israel protesters stood outside the venue. Estimates are that between 300 and 400 of the attendees were Jewish, including Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky of Beth El Congregation, who sounded a shofar and chanted the benediction for the evening. The entire audience stood to sing "Hatikvah," Israels national anthem. When the audience was asked to give money to support the Israeli communities of Kiryat Malachi and Hof Ashkelon, $50,000 was collected and presented to the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.

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Recognizing Our Friends by Marcia Friedman    
Excerpts of article that appeared in The Jewish Press on June 27, 2007   
In 1981, when Israel bombed the Iraqi nuclear reactor and was condemned for it by nearly the entire world, Pastor John Hagee decided he had to stand up for Israel. And he did. “A Night to Honor Israel” was born with the purpose of giving the Christian community an opportunity to demonstrate its love and support of Israel and the Jewish people.  “A Night to Honor Israel” became an annual event in San Antonio, Texas, where Pastor Hagee heads his church and ministry. In February 2006, Rev. Hagee, feeling the time had come to do more, called on Christian leaders across the county. More than 400, representing millions of Christians, responded and joined him in launching Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a national grassroots movement in support of Israel.

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A show of support for Israel
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Herald newspaper on June 16, 2007
Three years ago, Jason Martin woke up at 2 a.m. to find a cross, set afire, in the front yard of his Arlington home. Martin, an African-American father of six, is pastor at Jesus is Lord Life Tabernacle in Marysville. Four days later, after two 16-year-old boys were arrested in connection with what prosecutors said was a hate crime, religious leaders gathered at Martin's Marysville church for Sunday morning services. Among them, Martin said, were Jewish rabbis. "I was really moved by that," Martin said. "Prior to that, I had no relationship with Jewish people at all. It really touched my heart." On Thursday evening, Martin returned the favor. His church gathered $20,000 to pay for "A Night to Honor Israel," a special service held at the Everett Events Center, to show support for the people Martin believes are God's chosen ones.

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Christians to Train in Israel Advocacy by Michal Lando
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Jerusalem Post on May 14, 2007
"make the case for Israel" alongside their Jewish counterparts, and this week their requests will begin to materialize. A group of Christian Zionist students at a California university, will be trained this week in how to defend Israel in the face of campus attacks. The training at California State University, Bakersfield is the first step toward establishing a college chapter of Christians United for Israel, a year-old organization based in San Antonio, Texas started by Evangelical Pastor John Hagee to rally Christians around support for Israel. The chapter will be the first of its kind. The hope is to establish similar "CUFI on Campus" chapters on college campuses across the United States.

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Local Faithful to Stand up for Israel by Bill Sherman
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Tulsa World on April 14, 2007
Jews and Christians will meet Monday night in the new Victory Christian worship center to show support for the nation of Israel. Keynote speaker at A Night to Honor Israel will be the Rev. John Hagee, pastor of a San Antonio mega-church and longtime supporter of Israel and the Jewish people. Hagee spoke at A Night to Honor Israel in Tulsa in 1982 and 1992. He recently founded Christians United for Israel, which is sponsoring the Tulsa event and about 40 other similar gatherings around the country.

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Repacking AIPAC by Daryl Temkin
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Conservative Voice on Mach 20, 2007
The most memorable event of the 2007 AIPAC conference was a dynamic twenty minute speech delivered by Pastor John Hagee. His speech received no fewer than 14 major ovations and many of them were standing ovations. This was a first for AIPAC to invite a Christian pastor to be the keynote speaker for their opening session. Pastor Hagees impassioned speech will most likely go down in history as being the most memorable, emotional, and eye-opening event at an AIPAC conference. With his clear and succinct evangelical preacher vocal style, Pastor Hagee introduced to the national and international Jewish leadership attendees that the Jews are not alone in their support for Israel, and that at least 50 million Christians are fervently standing with them. He boldly called for a stop to appeasement and he fearlessly called for a united and undivided Jerusalem. Both statements received ovations that climaxed in a lengthy final standing ovation leaving few of the 6,500 participants choosing to remain in their seats.

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Christians for Israel Editorial by The Jerusalem Post
Excerpts of the editoral that appeared in The Jerusalem Post on March 15, 2007
The sleeping giant of Christian Zionism has awakened. There are 50 million Christians standing up and applauding the State of Israel." So began a speech by Pastor John Hagee, founder of Christians United For Israel, before an AIPAC Policy Conference plenary earlier this week. His address may not have received as much media attention as those by Richard Cheney, Nancy Pelosi, Ehud Olmert and Binyamin Netanyahu. It should have, however, because it could herald a critical new stage in the American-Israeli relationship.

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Pastor Flights for Israel by Fern Sidman
Excerpts of the article that appeared in the Voice of Judea on March 15, 2007
It is clear that Pastor Hagee was the shining star at the AIPAC convention. This is a man who is not afraid to intone the name of G-d, to boldly and courageously call the enemies of the Jewish people evil perpetrators. This is a man who embraces G-ds word and reveres the Torah. The AIPAC membership and the Jewish people can learn a most valuable and important lesson from Pastor Hagee.

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American Evangelical Leader: Sleeping Giant of Christian Zionism has Awakened by: Stan Goodenough
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Israel Insider on March 15, 2007
American evangelical leader John Hagee took a powerful message of support for Israel to the American Israel Public Affairs Committees 2007 policy conference in Washington DC earlier this week.  "I want to say this as clearly and as plainly as I can possibly say it," he emphasized, his booming voice filling the auditorium. "Israel you are not alone. There are 50 million Christians standing up and applauding the State of Israel."

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1,400 Turn Out to Honor Israel
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Christian News Northwest on March 1, 2007
An enthusiastic mix of evangelical Christians and Jews filled a big room Feb. 11 at the Oregon Convention Center in what is planned as an annual local event of support for the State of Israel. Sponsored by Christians United for Israel, a young but fast-growing national effort founded by nationally known Pastor John Hagee of Texas, the Portland Night to Honor Israel attracted an estimated 1,400 people who sang, prayed and listened with full attention to several featured speakers.

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Jews and Evangelicals Find Common Political Ground by Roger Cohen
Excerpts of the article that appeared The New York Times on February 10, 2007
For the Reverend John Hagee of San Antonio, Texas, the basis for Christian evangelical support of Israel is spelled out in the third verse of Chapter 12 of Genesis. Here, God declares to Abraham: "I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curses thee." "It's right there in the Bible," Hagee says. "Anyone who makes the life of Jewish people difficult or grievous, as did the Pharaoh, as did Hitler, will be cursed by God. We have a biblical command to speak out in defense of Israel." Hagee heads an organization called Christians United for Israel, founded last year. He notes a "groundswell of support" for Israel, driven by what he calls his "hammering on this subject" in national television shows, and that of other evangelical broadcasters. The annihilation threats to Israel of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, have only spurred American evangelicals to do "what is right and scripturally commanded, because if you take away the Jewish contribution to Christianity, there would be no Christianity," he argues. Hagee is planning a huge "march on Washington" in July - last year he brought together 3,600 people for the first such gathering - in which evangelicals from every state will meet with senators and members of Congress "to express strong support for Israel."

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Evangelical Christians rally downtown to support the Jewish state by Sandi Dolbee
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Union-Tribune on January 20, 2007

They came to praise Israel, not to berate it.  With former President Jimmy Carter's not-so-flattering portrait of Israeli policies entrenched on the best-seller list, hundreds of evangelical Christians gathered at a downtown hotel ballroom this week to share their support for a Jewish state that they are convinced was ordained by God.
It was a pep rally punctuated with music in Hebrew and English, decorated with the flags of Israel and the U.S.A. and pumped up with speeches that left little doubt about the meaning of “A Night to Honor Israel.”

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Christians Plan "Night to Honor Israel" by: Yaakov Lappin
Excerpts of the article that appeared on YNetNews.com on December 19, 2006
 A leading Evangelical US pastor has announced plans to hold a "night to honor Israel" in every major American city as part of an Evangelical political campaign. Pastor John Hagee, a Christian leader from Texas, was given an award by the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus during a ceremony jointly held with the World Jewish Congress Monday night, to "honor our Christian allies."  Addressing the conference by a satellite-linked screen, Hagee delivered an emphatic speech, declaring: "Its time for us Christians in America , from coast to coast, to speak up for Israel."

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Hagee Preaches Support for Israel by Jeff Brumley
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The Florida Times-Union on November 14, 2006
Christians must strengthen their spiritual bond with the Jewish people and the United States must take action against Irans nuclear program to save Israel from annihilation, televangelist and End Times preacher John Hagee told a mostly Christian audience Monday night in Jacksonville. Hagees sermon capped an evening of Israeli-American patriotic and religious music and speeches from the pulpit during a "Night to Honor Israel" at New Life Christian Fellowship.

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5,000 pack church in Israel’s honor by Abe Levy
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The San Antonio Express-News on October 23, 2006
Five thousand people packed Cornerstone Church on Sunday night, clapping and cheering for Israel with speeches and songs of solidarity led by a Christian congregation thankful for its Hebrew roots. On the stage sat about 20 men, a mix of Christian pastors and Jewish rabbis and leaders who have united in a special service of Judeo-Christianity started 21/2 decades ago and called the Night to Honor Israel. And while much time was spent honoring the Jewish people and their homeland, the main message of the night was the global war on terror and Israel’s role as the key defender of freedom.

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Evangelicals Rally for Israel, Warn of Iran Threat by Margot Patterson
Excerpts of the article that appeared in The National Catholic Reporter on July 28, 2006
Thousands of Christians met here last week to declare their unwavering support for Israel and to warn of the threat posed by Iran. Five months after its founding, Christians United for Israel brought 3,500 Christians to Washington July 18-20 to lobby Congress on behalf of Israel. The political action group aims to become the Christian equivalent of the influential Jewish lobbying organization, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

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Texas Preacher Leads Campaign to Let Israel Fight by Andrew Higgins
Excerpts of the article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal on July 27, 2006 
After Israel sent warplanes into Iraq in 1981 to bomb a nuclear reactor, Texas televangelist John Hagee sent letters to 150 fellow Christian preachers to rally support for the Jewish state. Last week, as Israel's armed forces pounded Lebanon and worries of a wider conflagration mounted, Mr. Hagee presided over what he called a "miracle of God": a gathering of 3,500 evangelical Christians packed into a Washington hotel to cheer Israel and its current military campaign. Standing on a stage bedecked with a huge Israeli flag, Mr. Hagee drew rapturous applause and shouts of "amen" as he hailed Israel for doing God's work in a "war of good versus evil." Calls for Israel to show restraint violate "God's foreign-policy statement" toward Jews, he said, citing a verse from the Old Testament that promises to "bless those who bless you" and curse "the one who curses you." The gathering was sponsored by Christians United for Israel, a national organization the 66-year-old preacher set up this year. The group lobbies politicians in Washington, rallies grassroots support for Israel and aims to educate Christians on what it calls the "biblical imperative" of supporting the Jewish state.

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On Hot Day in D.C., Evangelicals Remind Israel That it is Not Alone by David J. Silverman
Excerpts of the article that appeared in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on July 16, 2006
As the American Jewish community mobilizes to defend the embattled Jewish state, more than 3,500 evangelical Christians converged on Washington to remind them that they’re not alone.  Representing all 50 states, delegates to the first annual Christians United For Israel summit flooded the halls of Congress on Wednesday in a spirited lobbying campaign to boost American support for Israel.

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Not the same Christians: D.C. plenary to back Israel by David Brog
Excerpts of the article that appeared in Jewish Telegraphic Agency on July 9, 2006
Large Christian conferences have not always been good news for the Jews.There was, for example, the Council of Oxford in 1222, which prohibited the construction of synagogues in Christian Europe. The Synod of Breslau in 1267 required Europe’s Jews to live in ghettos. The Council of Basel in 1434 barred Jews from receiving academic degrees. The list goes on. But this month, on July 18-19, there will be a Christian conference that is very good news for the Jews and people who care about Israel. On these two days, Christians United for Israel will hold its national summit in Washington. This summit will bring together more than 1,000 Christian activists from across the United States to lobby Congress in support of Israel.

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Contact Ari Morgenstern at 30 Point Strategies- (404) 898-1278 or ari@30point.com