Israel Advocacy Day 2025 Unites 300 Faith Leaders on Capitol Hill

By: Shelley Neese, ACLI Coordinator 

In early May, more than 300 pastors, rabbis, and faith leaders united on Capitol Hill for the 2025 Israel Advocacy Day, forging a powerful alliance to strengthen pro-Israel support in Congress. The event was spearheaded by American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI), a project of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) USA Branch. 

A Ministry of Comfort to Israel  

Inspired by the enduring words of the prophet Isaiah, “Comfort, comfort my people” (40:1), the ICEJ acts on a fundamental principle: to bring a “ministry of comfort” to Israel and the Jewish people. Traditionally, this has meant extending a hand through vital humanitarian aid—supporting the vulnerable survivors of the Holocaust, smoothing the path of Aliyah for families, and providing tangible necessities like bomb shelters and medical equipment. Yet, the brutal events of October 7, 2023, cast a stark new light on the needs of the American Jewish community. As a wave of antisemitism washes over urban centers and college campuses, American Jewish voices speak of unprecedented threat and a chilling sense of isolation.  

In this pivotal moment, ICEJ has broadened its scope of providing comfort. For the second consecutive year, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our Jewish friends on Capitol Hill.  

In a powerful display of solidarity, the first Israel Advocacy Day took place in January 2024, a mere four months after Hamas’ deadly attacks in southern Israel. Defying a tight two-week planning window, organizers successfully mobilized 70 rabbis, pastors, and faith leaders who held 30 pivotal meetings with congressional offices. This historic initiative marked the first time Jewish and Christian leaders stood together as one voice to advocate for Israel within the halls of Congress. Their resounding message affirmed that protecting Israel and ensuring the safety of Jewish Americans is a core American priority. Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt of the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition expressed the profound impact of this unity, stating, “You have no idea how comforting it is to us to know that we are not alone.” 

While the political gains of the inaugural Israel Advocacy Day were significant, the enduring relationships forged and the trust established proved even more profound.  

Israel Advocacy Day 2025 

Building upon this strong foundation, the second Israel Advocacy Day demonstrated remarkable growth. With a more extensive six-month planning period and the collaboration of five co-hosting organizations, this year’s Israel Advocacy event brought together 300 pastors, rabbis, and faith leaders representing 29 states. 

The three-day event commenced with a thoughtfully arranged welcome dinner on Monday evening at the Museum of the Bible. The ICEJ’s event planner, Allison Griffin, strategically organized the table seating to foster connections among leaders from the same states or regions. The program featured prominent voices, including House Speaker Mike Johnson.  

Rekindled Hope 

The second day saw participants converge on Capitol Hill, where 27 regional groups of 10 conducted over 100 meetings with senators and congressional representatives. A moving encounter occurred when Pennsylvania constituents met with Senator John Fetterman in his office, which was plastered with images of the hostages still held in Gaza. Senator Fetterman’s passionate advocacy for Israel deeply resonated, bringing one rabbi to tears. Another rabbi from Georgia confessed that he often concealed his kippa beneath a baseball cap, and since October 7, he and his family had felt profoundly isolated. This gathering, however, rekindled his hope. 

Beyond the formal meetings, the shared meals and intensive day on Capitol Hill fostered deep connections among participants. They forged plans for continued collaboration in their home states. Tyson Lambertson, ICEJ’s Outreach Director, recounted a powerful moment when a rabbi in his group declared to the Christians, “We may not know you very well, but we love you.” During the debrief at a congressional reception organized by the Israel Allies Foundation, each spokesperson passionately affirmed the strength and unity of their respective group. 

Beacons of Hope 

A highlight of the reception was Florida Representative Byron Donalds’ impassioned address. He denounced Hamas’ attack as “horrific barbarity that can never be tolerated.” Grounded in his faith, the born-again Christian emphasized that while prayer is powerful, “faith without works is dead,” urging tangible action. Representative Virginia Foxx also ignited the room, receiving a spontaneous standing ovation for her resolute leadership and sharp questioning during the Education Committee’s investigation into campus antisemitism. She proclaimed Israel and America as the “two greatest beacons of hope in the world.”  

The day concluded with a compelling call to action from Bishop Robert Stearns of Eagles’ Wings. He challenged the assembled pastors to weave their insights of modern Israel into the fabric of their ministry—their sermons, Sunday school lessons, and teaching schedules. He powerfully asserted that equipping Christians against the dangers of antisemitism and the deception of antizionism necessitates a consistent pro-Israel voice from their pulpits.

Recognizing Modern Antisemitism 

On the final day of the three-day event, the Combat Antisemitism Movement provided an empowering workshop. The session equipped Christian leaders to recognize the historical presence of antisemitism within the church and to identify dangerous modern antisemitic canards, symbols, and tropes before they spread within their communities. Susan Michael, president of ICEJ USA and director of ACLI, shared her own insightful research on the tragic history of Christian antisemitism. She highlighted the significant shift in Christian attitudes toward Jews and Israel, largely driven by the Reformation, the Holocaust, and the modern State of Israel, which have fostered a more supportive relationship. However, she warned of ongoing vulnerabilities such as biblical illiteracy and contemporary political and theological movements that foster antisemitic attitudes. Susan urged Christians to actively oppose these dangers. 

The gathering concluded with insights from noted author and social critic Os Guinness. He acknowledged the “blackest stain” of Christian mistreatment of Jews throughout history. However, he also stressed the urgent need for Christians to reject Replacement Theology (also called “supersessionism”) and rediscover the genuine biblical connection between their faith and Judaism. This theological shift, he argued, is essential not only for theological accuracy but for the very future of civilization. 

When the prophet Isaiah uttered the words “Comfort my people,” he was prophetically assuring God’s people that even through the severest judgment, God’s love and plan for restoration would ultimately prevail. A century after Isaiah prophesied, the Babylonian army attacked Jerusalem in 586 BCE. The destruction of their divinely appointed monarchy, the loss of their ancestral promised land, and the razing of the sacred temple plunged the people of Judah into a state of demoralization. The trauma of displacement and loss fostered a sense of divine abandonment. Only with their miraculous return to the land did they recognize God’s provision and the fulfillment of his promises. 

Hope in the Darkness 

Once again, Israel is desperately seeking a flicker of hope amid the overwhelming darkness of murderous neighbors and a hostile world. The echoes of betrayal, confusion, and trauma that followed Babylon’s siege reverberate anew after October 7, 2023. Alarmingly, pro-Hamas protestors, knowing our itinerary, lay in wait at the Museum of the Bible and outside our Capitol Hill reception. Waving bloodied kaffiyehs and Palestinian flags, they assailed participants with accusations of Zionism as racism and Israel as captor and killer of Gazan children.  

While Christians deeply empathize with Israel’s pain and sense of betrayal, our faith also resonates with the psalmist’s assurance that “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Our hope and prayer are that even within the often-imposing halls of Congress, where political maneuvering and power dynamics can seem paramount, Christians successfully offered comfort to their Jewish neighbors. Even within “the swamp,” we believe the spirit of the Lord drew near to us all. 

Related Articles

Why Christians Support Israel – Part 1: Personal Reasons 
Why Christians Support Israel – Part 2: Practical Reasons 
Why Christians Support Israel – Part 3: Moral Reasons 
Why Christians Support Israel – Part 4: Legal Reasons 
Why Christians Support Israel – Part 5: Biblical Reasons 

Keep Learning  

What Is Antisemitism? Unpacking History’s Longest Hatred  
Replacement Theology: What It Is and Why It Matters (Book)