Stand for Israel- October 26, 2003

Shalom and thank you Pastor Thomas for that kind introduction. My wife Anne and I are delighted to be here to share your service with you today. It is awe inspiring to see a crowd this large praying and singing together in such peaceful unity.

Thank you to Reverend Jerry Clark from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews for organizing this event. And a very special thank you to Pastors Randy and Paula White. You have founded and maintained a beautiful church and community here, you have good reason to be proud.

I also wanted to congratulate all the Pastors here at Without Walls International Church. I understand that today is Pastor Appreciation Day, and being here, I can see how much you deserve recognition and honor.

These are trying times for Israel, for America, and for democracies all across the globe. Peace-seeking people, God loving people, decent innocent people are being attacked by unrelenting murderous terror that is fueled by fanaticism, hate and incitement. The terrorists want to bring us down, not because of what we do- God knows we extend our hand in peace to their people - and we still want peace if they stopped killing us. But they keep attacking us- whether in New York, Washington, Bali, Baghdad, Cassablanca, Jerusalem, Hebron or Tel Aviv. They attack us for who we are, our values, what we stand for, and our beliefs.

The terror organizations- Al Qaeda, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah and others can still operate because of the shelter and support they receive from failed states and rogue regimes like Iran, Syria and the Palestinian Authority.

But we will prevail. We will remain strong and resilient because of our hope and our faith.

Israel, like America, is a nation built by faith. And we have and will continue to endure all times. We are ordinary people, but with God, we are able to do the extraordinary.

We, as Israelis and Jews, cherish our relationship with the Christian community and will continue to work together.

Your Judeo-Christian heritage in entwined with ours. We share the same beliefs and a great faith in God. And we share the same destiny.

We are grateful for your steadfast, unswerving friendship- for your advocacy and support and your prayers.

What do we ask? All we ask is that you know the Bible intimately, study our more recent history and learn the facts of today so that you are empowered to speak out against evil slander, misinformation and propaganda.

Continue your pilgrimages to Israel, and invest in our holy land. Walk the streets and breathe the air that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus once did.

It says in Psalms: "How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity."

We are brothers, and we will dwell together in unity.

We appreciate you praying for us and standing with us every day. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Shalom, and God bless you one and all.