Israel’s war against Hamas is part of a larger ‘clash of civilizations’ between ‘barbarians’ and ‘the free world,’ says Israeli ambassador to the US, adding that ‘the American people clearly stand with Israel.’

By World Israel News Staff

In one of his final speeches as Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog addressed hundreds of Christian students who had traveled from across North America to Washington, D.C., for a weekend of Israel advocacy organized in partnership between Inspire and Passages.

Known as the “Christian Birthright,” Passages was founded in 2016 and has since brought over 11,000 Christian students from North America to Israel for the first time.

The initiative aims to strengthen religious identity and foster friendship with Israel and the Jewish people. Inspire creates digital resources and immersive experiences designed to make Bible reading simple, enjoyable and transformational for people of all ages.

“Despite all the noise and protests, after 15 months of war, my conclusion is clear: the American people stand with us,” said Ambassador Herzog.

“They understand right from wrong and recognize what is at stake. We have witnessed unprecedented political and diplomatic support from both sides of Congress, especially in combating the blood libels at the ICJ and ICC.”

“When tested, the U.S. and Israel stand united,” he continued.

“I have high expectations for continued cooperation with the incoming administration. There are two major opportunities ahead: First, pushing back against the Iranian nuclear program, which poses a grave threat to Israel, the region, the U.S., and the free world. This should begin with sanctions, but must also include a credible military option. Second, there is an opportunity to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. I believe the door is open, and this could be a game-changer.”

The event took place at Museum of the Bible, where Ambassador Herzog and his wife Shirin Herzog were presented with a remarkable gift – a copy of the Afghan Liturgical Quire, the oldest Hebrew book in the world. This medieval manuscript, dating back to the 8th century, includes prayers, poems, and the oldest known Passover Haggadah. The gift was presented by Jackie & Steve Green, Co-Founder & Chairman of Museum of the Bible.

“The Afghan Liturgical Quire is one of the most cherished treasures in the museum’s collection, and it speaks to the Jewish people’s continuity, resilience and excellence,” said Green while presenting the gift to Ambassador Herzog.

“We all know that it has not been easy for you Ambassador, but you leave your position knowing that the U.S. – Israel relationship is stronger and more resilient than ever. It has withstood testing times, but Israel knows that the foundation of this special relationship is supported by the majority of Americans at all levels of society, from the people to the president and the president-elect.”

“Our Christian friends are essential in the fight against antisemitism,” Ambassador Herzog told the Christian students advocating for Israel on their campuses. “Your advocacy, rooted in faith and the love of life, is crucial in this battle. We value life, while our enemies value death. We focus on the future, while they seek to revive the dark past.”

“This is a clash of civilizations,” he added. “What the barbarians did to our people on October 7th cannot be explained merely in political terms. There is a deeper element to this. Our partnership with the Christian community is vital in confronting this type of war. When Israel fights its enemies, it is a battle for the free world. Our victory will be a victory for the free world. We are in this together.”

The trip to DC is a stepping stone for the students to an Israel trip with Passages. They will visit Museum of the Bible, the Holocaust Memorial museum, and hear from Israeli tour guides. To close the weekend, the students will put together hundreds of “Kits for Kids” to send to Israel for children who are forced to spend time in bomb shelters.

“Now, more than ever, we are seeing our Christian friends step up, whether by visiting Israel to show solidarity or by standing with Jewish students on North American campuses,” said Rivka Kidron, Co-Founder of Passages and former Advisor to Israel’s Prime Minister.

“Passages is working harder than ever to combat the delegitimization of the Jewish state on university campuses. As Ambassador Herzog said, when Jews and Christians stand together, we will defeat our shared enemies.”

In addition to the advocacy weekend in Washington, Passages resumed its student trips to Israel, including visits to communities near the Gaza border and volunteering with those most affected by the war in northern and southern Israel.

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Hundreds of Christian college students receive training to prepare them to respond to anti-Israel and antisemitic activity on campus, following incident-filled academic year.

By World Israel News Staff

Hundreds of pro-Israel Christian college students received training this weekend to prepare them to combat anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activity on campus during the coming academic year.

Passages, an organization dedicated to bringing Christian college students to Israel on organized trips – modeled after the 10-day Birthright Israel trips – held the weekend training program for over 250 Christian students and alumni in Washington DC.

The students, from dozens of universities and colleges across the U.S. and South Africa, received sessions on Israel, its history and how to advocate for the Jewish State and show solidarity with Jewish students on their campuses.

The participants also met with two families of hostages brutally taken from Israel and held in Gaza and held a prayer session with the families on the National Mall, where anti-Israel and antisemitic demonstrations had taken place recently while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before a joint session of Congress.

They chanted “Bring Them Home” as a group, standing behind the hostage families, and then sang Israel’s National Anthem HaTikvah.

“This was a really important weekend of training and uplifting hundreds of passionate Christian students who want to advocate for Israel and stand with their fellow Jewish students on campuses, where they are expecting an extremely challenging upcoming semester,” said Rivka Kidron, Co-Founder of Passages and a former Advisor to Israel’s Prime Minister.

“Passages was created precisely for these moments, as an organization that will be a force-multiplier to help spread Israel’s case in the places where they are most challenged. They have been given the most important tools to meet these challenges and stand with Israel and the Jewish people.”

The students met with the families of Romi Gonen and Or Levy, who were kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival on October 7th, who spoke to the conference participants about their experiences and how they are working to free their relatives.

“Meeting with these passionate Christian students has been an extremely uplifting experience for us,” said Yarden Gonen, Romi’s sister, who has become one of the faces of the hostage families around the world.

“We know that they have taken on our mission of ensuring that our loved ones are not forgotten, and that they will share our stories with their families, friends, churches, communities and on their campuses.”

“It was a special moment for us to feel their love, hear their prayers and their chants of “Bring Them Home” in the heart of Washington, openly and proudly, and that they will maintain this passion and commitment until all of the hostages have been brought home.”

Passages also had a delegation of South African students which was brought by South African Friends of Israel, who face arguably even greater challenges back on their campuses, in a nation whose government has taken an extremely hostile position towards Israel.

“We at South African Friends of Israel thank Passages for inviting our students to their DC conference,” said Danny Botn, CEO of South African Friends of Israel. “Our students are devoted Christians and see the importance of strengthening our bonds with Israel, especially at such a challenging times in South Africa with our government taking a discriminatory stand against the Jewish State, which is not a true reflection of the average African.”

“I am not sure there is another organization that can have such an impact on our university campuses,” said Michael McAfee, President and Founder of Inspire Experiences, which partnered with Passages to coordinate the conference. “Now better-prepared thanks to this conference, these students will go back to their campuses and create networks with other student bodies and organizations, especially Jewish and Zionist ones, to ensure that pro-Israel students are not caught unaware again, as many were last semester, when many universities became no-go areas for them.”

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