First Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, September 1980

One thousand Christians from the nations came up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with song, dance, praise, and worship in accordance with Zechariah 14:16. They were invited to the Chief Rabbi’s synagogue to receive a blessing from Rabbi Goren himself. Fifteen Christian leaders spent an hour sharing with Israel’s President Navon at his home. He said, “You move me deeply,” and “We appreciate what you are doing.”

Then, 400 Christians participated in the Jerusalem March; Israeli soldiers cheered and waved in appreciation of Christian support for Israel. The people lining the route said again and again in Hebrew, “Blessed art thou, blessed art thou”—an exciting foreshadowing of the messianic prophecy contained in Matthew 23:39: “For I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” and Matthew 10:40 which says,”He who receives you receives Me.”

Opening of the ICEJ, September 1980

Teddy Kollek, the mayor of Jerusalem, was present at the opening and was deeply touched by the Christian representatives from different nations as they presented their country’s flag before him, pledging to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in the name of all Bible-believing Christians at home. In front of all the cameras, journalists, and about 1,000 Christians, the mayor described it as one of the most moving experiences in his life.

The Gulf War, 1991

During Easter 1991, the Christian Embassy organized demonstrations around the world in support of imprisoned Soviet Jews and prisoners of Zion, equating them with Mordechai and Queen Esther and the Jews of Persia long ago. ICEJ supporters in Jerusalem marched to the Russian compound and “nailed” their protest to the closed doors of the Russian Orthodox church there. The photo shows one of the banners used at the demonstration in Washington, DC.

It was just 40 years after the Holocaust was perpetrated on Europe’s soil and an appropriate time to sound the trumpet on behalf of God’s people. This congress, held 88 years after Theodor Herzl spearheaded the first Jewish Zionist congress, allowed Christian leaders from different parts of the world the opportunity to harmonize their stand concerning the Jewish people and establish the theological basis for their support for the reborn State of Israel.

Help with Aliyah to Israel, 1991

The ICEJ began to assist Jewish people from the former USSR to come to Israel. At first the only passage was through Budapest and Warsaw, so the Exobus program brought them through these cities. Later, as direct flights became available, Exobus brought them from their distant villages to the airports in Kiev and Odessa. The ICEJ also sponsored 50 full planeloads of immigrants (8 years old and older) to assist them in coming to Israel. The work is still ongoing, with more buses and centers being used to bring them out.

The Knesset Award, 1991

The ICEJ works without expecting awards or recognition. However, when we receive recognition, it gives us more credibility and acceptance in Israel and among the Jewish community worldwide. This facilitates our work and ministry on their behalf. In April 1991 the ICEJ received the Speaker of the Knesset’s Quality of Life Award. The ICEJ donated its prize money toward Soviet Jewry housing. The following was mentioned as the Foundation’s reason for awarding the prize to the ICEJ:

“The Foundation recommends to award the prize to the International Christian Embassy for its continuous and energetic activity in education and information in Israel and abroad to strengthen the ties between Jews and Christians, for its activity to bring understanding between Jews and Arabs in Israel, and for its activity to deepen Jewish and Zionist awareness among Christians around the world and for encouraging immigration to Israel.”

Operation Solomon, 1992

After Israel’s Operation Solomon rescued thousands of stranded Ethiopian Jews, the Embassy helped them absorb into Israel with the aid of Dr. Campbell Millar and his wife, Ferne. The Millars had worked in Ethiopia among those with leprosy for some time and could speak the language. The ICEJ sponsored the building of two Tukuls (Ethiopian meeting places) in Beit Shean. Also, through Hansen Hospital in Jerusalem, the Millers examined the immigrants for signs of leprosy. The ICEJ offered additional assistance with the absorption process, including providing household items and medical aid and offering help with finding jobs.

Dramatic Rescue in Moldova, 1992

When the Jews of Moldova were caught in the crossfire of a regional conflict, the Jewish Agency asked the ICEJ to help evacuate them from Bendery. The ICEJ-sponsored bus teams did not hesitate, even though they were based in Kiev, several hundred kilometers away. The risks were serious, but the team promptly reorganized to enable a coach to travel immediately to Odessa. From there they proceeded into the war-torn region of Trans-Dniester in the southwestern republic of Moldova. Over 3 weeks, the Exobuses carried about 400 Jewish refugees to safety.

Repentance in Toledo, 1992

In 1492, during King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella’s reign, the Jews were expelled from Spain. But 500 years later, in 1992, hundreds of Spanish Christians knelt in repentance and prayer in Toledo, carrying banners that said, “Please, Jewish people, forgive us for what happened in 1492” and asked the Jewish people for forgiveness. The event was represented by Yitzhak Navon, former president of Israel, and other elders of the Spanish Jewish community.

Navon responded, “I am standing here in front of you, overtaken by emotion and embarrassed. I am moved as the warmth and affection that you are bestowing on my people and am embarrassed because we are not used to such gestures. . . Allow me to tell you quite frankly that our heart is full of deep gratitude because you give us back faith in mankind and plant in us hope for a better future in interpersonal and inter-religions relations.”

Christmas Concerts, 1999

The Embassy held three anointed concerts on December 24–26, the evening of millennium celebrations worldwide. These events helped fill a void for local believers and Christian pilgrims reluctant to join in festivities held at the Palestinian-controlled Manger Square in Bethlehem. Two large choirs from the United States and an orchestra of mainly Russian immigrants presented Christmas carols and a nativity story with live animals on Christmas Eve. They performed Handel’s “Messiah” on Christmas night to a house full of Israelis. And on December 26, the audience joined sang gospel songs with some of the solo artists who were part of the choirs.

Aiding Lebanese Refugees, 2000

When people from Southern Lebanon had to flee their homes after Israel withdrew from that area, the Embassy visited the places where the refugees were being housed to see if there was anything we could do to help them. The ICEJ helped provide initial aid, like baby clothes and personal care items, thanks to our supporters’ quick response.

The Covenant, 2001

The Covenant, a colorful biblical drama that recounts the miraculous story of the people of Israel, was first performed during the Feast of Tabernacles in 2001. The musical has since been translated into Hebrew and has been performed for thousands of Israelis.

Grafted, 2003

The ICEJ’s vision for young adults was realized with the foundation of the Grafted department. Grafted aims to bring the ICEJ’s message of Biblical Zionism to a younger generation through their Feast of Tabernacles tour, by establishing work projects in Israel for young adults, and through international speaking tours.

Christian Allies’ Caucus, 2004

The ICEJ, along with other Christian Zionist ministries, was invited to participate with Knesset members in the Christian Allies’ Caucus. The Caucus exists to raise Israeli awareness of Evangelical Christians’ unconditional support, launch joint welfare projects for the needy in the Land, and enlist Christians in efforts to improve Israel’s standing internationally.

European Coalition for Israel, 2005

The European Coalition for Israel, the first official pro-Israel lobby at the European Parliament, formally launched in Brussels during a special conference on anti-Semitism.  It aims to build support for the State of Israel, provide a balanced perspective on the complex Arab-Israeli conflict, and stand against the rising tide of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in Europe. The ICEJ is proud to be among the pro-Israel Christian ministries with pan-European and global constituencies participating in this coalition.

Helping Families Uprooted from Gaza, 2005

In August 2005, Israel carried out the painful Disengagement from Gaza, removing all Israeli civilians and soldiers from the crowded, volatile Strip. The ICEJ took a balanced stand of respecting Israeli democracy while also warning of a likely increase in rocket attacks from Gaza. After the pull-out, the ICEJ offered relief to the Jewish families evacuated from Gaza, most notably by building playgrounds for the dislocated children in their new neighborhoods.

Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, 2006

At the 2006 Feast, the ICEJ and Yad Vashem forged a historic partnership, forming a Christian Desk at Yad Vashem to join forces in the fight against anti-Semitism.

Jerusalem Post Christian Edition, 2006

The Jerusalem Post is the most widely recognized and trusted source for news on Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world. In 2006, The Post approached the ICEJ to partner in producing a Christian Edition to keep Christians around the world better informed on what is happening in Israel. With major input from the ICEJ’s staff and directors, The Jerusalem Post Christian Edition offered a high-quality monthly news magazine dedicated to Christians’ unique interests.

Relief During the Second Lebanon War, 2006

In summer 2006, northern Israel was pounded by over four thousand rockets launched by Hizbullah in the Second Lebanon War. The ICEJ responded by providing food for needy families and recreational escapes for children stuck in sweltering bomb shelters during the five weeks of conflict. In one memorable outing, several buses of Galilee youths were able to enjoy a day at a popular water park near Herzliya.

Aiding Sudanese Refugees, 2007

When 37 desperate Sudanese fleeing Muslim persecution crossed the border into Israel from Egypt in June 2007, the ICEJ immediately responded and helped take care of these poor refugees. This bold initiative launched Operation Hope, which became a full-fledged project of the ICEJ, securing better futures for hundreds of Sudanese refugees in Israel.

Bomb Shelters for Sderot, 2008

In response to the thousands of rockets and mortar attacks from Gaza, the ICEJ mobilized its supporters and raised funds to place six Operation Lifeshield bomb shelters in the embattled city of Sderot. With only 15 seconds to find safety once the air raid sirens blast, the bomb shelters are a lifesaving measure for these traumatized Israelis.

Stop a Nuclear Iran Petition, 2008

On September 18, the ICEJ delivered a global petition to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon signed by over 55,000 Christians from more than 120 countries worldwide demanding that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad be indicted for incitement to genocide against Israel. The petition was delivered to the United Nations on the eve of the Iranian leader’s planned visit to New York to address the opening of the UN General Assembly the following week, where he was greeted by a mass rally demanding a stronger international response to the growing Iranian nuclear threat.

Feast Draws Record Crowd, 2008

Almost 8,000 Christian pilgrims from nearly 100 countries took part in the ICEJ’s annual celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, shattering all previous records in the event’s 29-year history and defying the downturn in the global markets. The largest delegation came from Brazil, with 1,500 pilgrims, while delegations from Finland, Germany, Norway, and the United States each numbered around 500 participants.

Relief for Israelis under Fire, 2009

When Israeli forces were ordered to combat the intensifying Hamas rocket threat just a few days before the start of 2009, the ICEJ moved swiftly to come to the aid of the besieged Israeli communities along the Gaza border. Our efforts, coordinated with local social workers, enabled hundreds of battle-weary teens, seniors, and low-income families to experience a reprieve from the rocket war with breaks far away from the terrors of the frontlines in the Galilee and Eilat.

Within days of the start of the Gaza conflict in January, protestors across the world began to flood the streets, driven by a sense of deep hostility to Israel fueled by highly distorted media coverage. Thankfully, Israel’s many Christian friends also took to the streets, staging solidarity rallies on every continent, including Costa Rica, the Philippines, Denmark, Finland, and the United Kingdom. In Oslo, Norway, riot police had to defend ICEJ local branch supporters, using tear gas to disperse a violent pro-Palestinian counter-protest.

Boycott Durban II Campaign, 2009

On Friday, April 17, 2009, the ICEJ delivered a petition to the White House urging President Obama to resist the mounting pressure to send a delegation to Durban II, the United Nations’ second global summit on racism. The so-called “human rights” gathering was designed to review the outcomes of the hate-filled fiasco held in Durban, South Africa, in the week before the 9/11 attacks of September 2001.

As in 2001, Durban II looked set to become another anti-Israel conference aimed at designating Israel an illegitimate apartheid state. The arrival of Iranian President Ahmadinejad in Geneva further promised to turn the entire event into a farce. On the ground in Geneva, the ICEJ national directors of Switzerland, France, and Russia stood with hundreds of Christians and Jews as part of series of citywide protests against the Durban II conference and in memory of the Holocaust.

In the Czech capital of Prague, ICEJ National Director Mojmir Kallus spearheaded a rally at the Senate that led to his nation’s withdrawal from Durban II within hours of Ahmadinjad’s opening tirade. In Jerusalem, ICEJ International Director Dr. Jürgen Bühler refuted the charge of Israeli racism in an extensive debate on the influential Arabic language satellite channel, Al-Hurra.

Jerusalem United Campaign, 2009

At the 30th Feast of Tabernacles hosted by the ICEJ in Jerusalem, we took a stand against the growing international pressure to divest Israel of Jerusalem. We raised awareness through an online campaign and showed our support to Israelis during the Jerusalem March when thousands of pilgrims marched through the streets wearing our football style t-shirt “Jerusalem United.”

The ICEJ was founded when the embassies of the world moved to Tel-Aviv in 1980 in protest over Israel declaring Jerusalem her capital. Support for Israel’s claim, historically and biblically, is core to the existence of the ICEJ. After 30 years of serving and standing with Israel, the 2010 Feast also carried the theme “Jerusalem—A Praise in the Earth” as the ICEJ sought to add momentum to its Jerusalem United campaign.

Hands on in Haiti, 2010

On January 13, 2010, in the hours following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the Caribbean nation of Haiti, a highly trained Israeli rapid response team had just finished a challenging 18-hour recovery operation at the scene of a fatal helicopter crash in a deep forest ravine outside Mexico City. “We were the closest ones,” said Dovie Maisel from the ZAKA international rescue unit, which was among the first on the ground in Port-au-Prince. “We were there almost alone.” As the Israeli rescue team landed in the earthquake zone, the ZAKA leadership placed an urgent phone call to ICEJ Director Malcolm Hedding, asking the Embassy to partner with them in their search-and-rescue operations in Haiti. In the grueling 38-hour operation that followed, Maisel and his team managed to free eight students in a collapsed multi-story university building. It was a rescue effort underwritten by the generosity of ICEJ donors around the world.

Within hours, ZAKA paramedics arrived in Port-au-Prince as part of a 200-strong delegation from the IDF, MagenDavid Adom, and IsraAID. As the donations kept flowing, the Israeli rescue contingent earned worldwide praise for their heroic efforts. The IDF mobile field hospital was hailed as the only foreign aid mission able to do complex surgical operations in the disaster zone, and one young woman whose life was saved during childbirth named her newborn son “Israel” in gratitude.

Haifa Home for Holocaust Survivors, 2010

In April 2010 the ICEJ dedicated a new home for Holocaust Survivors in the northern coastal city of Haifa. Spearheaded by the ICEJ’s German Branch, the Haifa Home demonstrated our long-standing commitment to help the estimated 210,000 Holocaust Survivors in Israel end their days in dignity. The ICEJ-sponsored Haifa Home, which initially housed up to 80 Survivors, was recognized throughout Israel as a model in dealing with the growing national problem of poor and needy Survivors of the Shoah.

Branches Rally Over Gaza Flotilla, 2010

When Israel was widely condemned for intercepting the Gaza flotilla in May 2010, ICEJ branches around the globe organized rallies in support of Israel’s actions of self-defense. These included a rally of 35,000 Christians in Brazil, a march of 5,000 Christians in Finland, and a gathering of 4,000 Christians in Norway. Similar pro-Israel demonstrations were held in Canada, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, and the USA, among other nations.

Assisting Carmel Fire Victims, 2010

In December 2010, massive wildfires visible by satellite swept through the Carmel Range and into parts of Haifa, leaving thousands homeless. The ICEJ partnered with a local charity to provide emergency relief and shelter to those displaced from their homes. When similar brushfires all across Israel left many homeless in 2016, we gave out blankets, beds, medical support, new appliances, and financial aid to help them recover.

Launch of Isaiah 62 Prayer Campaign, 2011

Entering 2011, the ICEJ leadership in Jerusalem felt led to start the year with a special month of prayer and fasting in January. Then the Arab Spring erupted, confirming the need for extra prayer times, so the Isaiah 62 Prayer Campaign was launched to intensify prayer for Israel and the region. This initiative was spearheaded by ICEJ International Director, Dr. Jürgen Bühler, who later that year was appointed the new Executive Director (now President) of the ministry. The Isaiah 62 prayer campaign now has thousands of individuals, prayer groups and churches worldwide participating every month.

Haifa Home Phase II, 2011

Our outreach to elderly Holocaust Survivors in northern Israel continued to expand throughout 2011 with the purchase of two apartment buildings on either side of the original ICEJ-sponsored assisted-living facility in Haifa. Subsequent renovations enabled us to increase the living space to accomodate 125 people, with all their lodging, food and medical care provided. In 2011 the phased expansion was completed. Two dilapidated neighboring buildings were transformed into a multipurpose complex that includes attractive living quarters, a kitchen and dining hall, a synagogue, courtyards, and a medical and dental clinic that also serves other needy Survivors throughout the Haifa area.

Doctors and nurses from local hospitals volunteer to cover the residents’ health needs, and the Home’s kitchen is now feeding other Survivors who live in the surrounding community.

Final Ethiopian Aliyah, 2011

A year of drought and political turmoil forced Israeli authorities to speed up the long- delayed relocation of thousands of Falash Mura in Ethiopia—an ancient and isolated community of Jews that has always cherished the dream of one day returning to Zion. In August 2011 the first ICEJ-sponsored flight in this accelerated aliyah initiative landed at Ben Gurion airport. Meanwhile, ICEJ branches from all over the world have raised additional funds to help bring this last contingent of Ethiopian Jews home.

It is the last chapter in a story that began some 25 years ago with “Operation Moses” and continues today—the dramatic Israeli rescue of thousands of Ethiopian Jews who had fled the nation’s bitter civil war and were trying to journey to Israel on foot via Sudan. Since that time, the ICEJ has continued assisting the Ethiopian community in Israel, funding psychological therapy, after-school programs, summer camps, and college scholarships for at-risk Ethiopian youth and teens.

Breakthrough in Arab Sector Aid, 2011

In 2011 the ICEJ funded the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken of Arab sector social workers in Israel, as part of our efforts to guide Israeli authorities in targeting the most critical problems facing their communities. Despite enjoying a higher standard of living than other populations in the region, the study’s 85-page report discussed social workers overburdened by case loads involving large families and not enough specialists in handling at-risk children. It is part of the ICEJ’s long-standing legacy of showing the love of Jesus to every people group in the Land of Israel.

Lobbying for Israel at UNSC, 2011

Rejecting direct talks with Israel, the Palestinian Authority unilaterally sought to achieve statehood through the UN Security Council in September 2011. The ICEJ’s national branches urged their governments to oppose this move. These efforts included arranging pro-Israel rallies, holding petition drives, issuing public statements, sponsoring newspaper ads, and lobbying elected officials. Our national director in Nigeria played a critical role in convincing his government not to support the Palestinian bid for statehood, depriving the PA of enough votes in the Security Council to force a US veto.

Bringing the Lost Home, 2012

After years of bureaucratic delays, members of India’s Bnei Menashe community received the necessary approvals to begin their long-awaited journey to Israel in 2012—and the ICEJ was there to help.  Exiled from Israel 2,700 years ago when the forefathers of this ancient Israelite tribe were forced from the Land by the Assyrian invasion, Bnei Menashe’s return is a dramatic fulfillment of Scripture.  The ICEJ was the proud sponsor of the first flight of 54 Olim (immigrants), which arrived December 24.

Launch of ICEJ TV, 2012

The ICEJ has always had a clear mandate to speak to the church worldwide about what He is doing in Israel but felt challenged to amplify that voice through mass communication—the internet, social media, and television. The first TV initiative, the ICEJ Report, was launched during the Israel Now News program, broadcast globally by Daystar TV. This new vehicle had a major impact throughout the ICEJ network, leading to Word From Jerusalem airing on God-TV with a viewership of some one billion people.

Defending Israel During Another Gaza War, 2012

In November 2012, Israel faced yet another rocket war with Hamas in Gaza, but this time the whole southern half of Israel was under fire, including Jerusalem. The ICEJ’s rapid response included providing food, clothing, first aid kits, blankets, toiletries, toys and games, and shelter to those most affected by the hostilities, while helping elderly Holocaust survivors relocate to safe housing in Haifa and Netanya. The ministry’s global network of national branches also leapt into action once again to advocate for Israel’s right to defend itself.

Befriending Survivors, 2013

With its foundations firmly in place and its demand ever-expanding, 2013 saw our work at the Home for Holocaust Survivors grow. This year, residents of the Home paid a visit to our annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration, bringing with them a report about the Home and the great blessing it is to them.  Donations helped us to complete renovations on a sorely needed kitchen, which is used to feed not only residents of the Home but also other local Survivors in the Haifa area. In addition to our ongoing sponsorship of the Home, we strengthened our adoption program, enabling Christians around the world to befriend and support individual Holocaust Survivors.

Rapid Expansion into Arab/Muslim Nations, 2013

So far this year, the ICEJ has opened its eighth branch in predominantly Arab/Muslim nations. The amazing trend began two years earlier but has accelerated this year to the point that officials anticipate having at least 10 such branches shortly. In some of the countries, the entire body of Christians came fully behind the ICEJ, and in some, the political leadership of the country also gave their blessing.

ICEJ Introduces Envision Pastors and Leaders Conference, 2014

With a vision to connect pastors and church leaders from around the globe, the ICEJ launched the Envsion Pastors and Leaders Conference. Offering ministry leaders an opportunity to refresh their spirit and receive a renewed vision for their ministry and calling, the Conference offers a visit to the prime minister’s office, the Israeli Knesset, and the Chief Rabbinate, high-level briefings from Israeli officials and scholars, in-depth teaching sessions on Biblical Zionism, a special ceremony at Yad Vashem, and meetings at the Jerusalem Prayer Tower. The Conference was received with great success and continues today as an ICEJ tradition.

ICEJ Rallies Again During Third Gaza Conflict, 2014

In summer 2014, a third major rocket war erupted between Israel and Hamas along the Gaza border. During the 50-day conflict, the ICEJ delivered ten more portable bomb shelters to vulnerable communities, took groups of children and the elderly on respites to safer areas of the country, and sponsored a trip abroad for 40 youths from hard-hit Ashkelon. Meanwhile, numerous ICEJ branches rallied once more to defend Israel against the threat of Islamist terror.

Rescuing Ukrainian Jews from Conflict, 2014

In 2014, a bitter civil war broke out in eastern Ukraine sparked by pro-Russian separatists. When the fighting threatened Jewish communities in the region, the ICEJ funded emergency flights to bring hundreds of endangered Ukrainian Jews to Israel. The ICEJ also started bringing more Jewish immigrants from the West to Israel around this time, including from France and Sweden where they were facing threats from radical Muslims.

Feast Moves to Pais Arena, 2014

To accommodate the growing needs at our annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration, we left our long-term home at the International Convention Center Jerusalem (ICCJ), and in the fall of 2014, the Feast was held in the brand-new Pais Arena. With a concert capacity of close to 15,000, our new Feast home allows many more pilgrims to come up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast with us.

Iran Petition, 2015

When the negotiations between the  P5+1 world powers and Iran yielded far too many concessions to Tehran regarding its renegade nuclear program, the ICEJ took action. A petition campaign started, the results of which were presented to foreign ministers of the Western democratic nations who negotiated with Iran, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, President Barak Obama, and other Congressional leaders. In all, over 90,000 people stood with us as we declared, “Not One Bomb for Iran.”

Brussels Symposium, 2015

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem held a symposium at the European Union parliament in Brussels titled “The Economic Wall of the EU Labeling Move.” The Symposium highlighted the unfair and counter-productive nature of EU guidelines for labeling products and services from Israeli communities in the West Bank and was hosted by MEP Takkula (ALDE, FI) and MEP Belder (ECR, NL). Main speakers included renowned international legal expert Professor Avi Bell, Greek Orthodox priest and founder of the Israeli Christian Empowerment Council (ICRF) Father Gabriel Naddaf, and the Chief Rabbi of the Netherlands, Binyomin Jacobs.

Trump Signs ICEJ’s 5 Guiding Principles, 2016

Presidential candidate Donald Trump affirmed his support to the ICEJ of his support for five principles guiding a strong US-Israel relationship.

PM Netanyahu hosts residents of the Haifa Home, 2016

On Holocaust Remembrance Day 2016, the president of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, and Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, invited residents of the Haifa Home for Holocaust Survivors to a private meeting to share their stories and pay tribute to those who perished in the Holocaust.

Sending Bibles to UNESCO, 2016

When UNESCO adopted resolutions in 2016 omitting any Jewish connection to Jerusalem and other sites in Israel, the ICEJ called on Christians worldwide to send Bibles to the UN agency to remind them of the unbreakable historic links between the Land and people of Israel. Before long, UNESCO offices in Paris were inundated with thousands of Bibles and protest letters. The next set of UNESCO resolutions reflected a truer historic picture of the Jewish ties to Jerusalem
and the Land of Israel.

PM Netanyahu gives Annual Christmas greeting from ICEJ, 2016

Prime Minister Netanyahu paid a visit to the ICEJ and, from our grounds, delivered his annual Christmas and New Year’s greeting to the Christian world. Millions around the world watched the broadcast.

ICEJ UK Celebrates Balfour 100 in London, 2017

The ICEJ UK Branch was a main organizer of the gala Balfour 100 event held in the Royal Albert Hall in London. More than 3,500 Jews and Christians attended.

ICEJ USA Urges Pres. Trump to Move US Embassy, 2017

The ICEJ USA’s American Christian Leaders for Israel network united the voices of some 60 major Christian leaders urging President Trump to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jeruslem and officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal, undivided capital.

ICEJ USA Celebrates 70th and Move of US Embassy, 2018

The ICEJ USA’s American Christian Leaders for Israel network held a sold-out event to celebrate Israel’s founding and US Embassy’s move to Jerusalem. Event highlights included a gala dinner at Museum of the Bible, a letter from US Vice President Mike Pence, and a video greeting from Prime Minister Netanyahu. Attendees came from over 40 countries and over 40 cosponsoring organizations—including some 50 millennial leaders.

ICEJ Honored for Gift of 18 Firetrailers and 5 ATVs, 2018

The Israeli communities along the Gaza border hosted a delegation from the ICEJ at a special ceremony in October 2018 to honor the organization for providing vital assistance to combat the onslaught of airborne incendiary devices and renewed rocket barrages from Gaza. The ICEJ had responded to the terrorist arson attacks from Gaza by donating 18 all-terrain firefighting trailers and several ATVs.

ICEJ Achieves New Milestone of 150,000 Olim, 2019

At Feast 2019, the ICEJ celebrated a new milestone of assisting more than 150,000 Jews in making Aliyah to Israel since our founding in 1980. Most have come from the former Soviet Union, but we also are assisting Jews from Europe, North and South America, Ethiopia, India and China, among other regions.

ICEJ Receives ‘Yakir Award,’ 2019

The Christian Embassy was honoued by Keren HaYesod/United Israel Appeal with its annual Yakir Award in recognition of the ICEJ’s long record of supporting Israel and befriending the Jewish people. Over recent years, the ICEJ has donated several million US dollars through Keren HaYesod to fund a variety of projects, most notably to assist thousands of Jewish families making Aliyah to Israel.

Passover Assistance Amid Corona Crisis, 2020

When the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic forced Israelis into lockdowns just ahead of Passover in March 2020, the ICEJ activated its staff to help with Passover holiday assistance and with care for the elderly in quarantine. As a result, the Embassy provided more Pessach social support for Israelis than ever before, including home deliveries of food to the elderly and daily care of Holocaust survivors confined to their apartments.

ICEJ Flies Hundreds of Jews Home Despite Corona, 2020

As the Corona crisis grounded most international flights in 2020, the ICEJ still was able to bring almost 400 Jewish immigrants on Aliyah flights to Israel between February and July. Most came from Russia, Belarus and Ethiopia. Based on this remarkable success, the Embassy launched the ‘Rescue250’ campaign, challenging Christians to help us keep up the pace of bringing at least 250 Jews home per month while COVID-19 was still impacting the world.

Turning to Online Prayer, 2020

In response to the Corona outbreak, the ICEJ turned to prayer as never before by launching several online initiatives which brought Christians together from around the world to intercede for Israel and the nations. This included the weekly Global Prayer Gathering and the Rosh Chodesh monthly prayer vigil.

Online Global Feast, 2020

With travel bans not allowing foreign tourists to enter Israel, the ICEJ transformed its annual Feast of
Tabernacles celebration into an online global event, with more speakers, worship artists and seminars than
ever before.

Over 700 Pastors and Ministry Leaders Join Envision, 2021

Over 700 pastors and ministry leaders from around the globe took part in the ICEJ’s Envision conference in January, marking our highest-ever participation rate at this annual gathering. Envision was held as primarily an on-line event, streaming out a timely, enriching series of Bible teachings, current affairs briefings, visits with Israeli officials, and panel discussions with local Jewish and Arab pastors.

ICEJ Joins “Operation Rock of Israel” Airlift of Ethiopian Jews, 2021

Between December 2020 and March 2021, the ICEJ sponsored flights for over 500 of the 2,000 Ethiopian Jewish immigrants who arrived in the “Operation Rock of Israel” airlift. In 2021, the ICEJ provided assistance for Aliyah and integration to more than 4,000 new Jewish immigrants to Israel from over 20 countries worldwide, including sponsored flights for more than 1,500 new arrivals

Largest Ever Passover Distribution, 2021

With scores of Israelis struggling financially due to corona, the ICEJ carried out its largest-ever Passover holiday distribution to poor and disadvantaged Jewish families across Israel, while also delivering Easter gift baskets to Arab Christians throughout the Land.

ICEJ Delivers 15 New Bombshelters After Hamas Attacks From Gaza, 2021

When Hamas in Gaza launched yet another rocket war on Israel, the Christian Embassy sprang into action by ordering 15 new portable bomb shelters, delivering protective vests and fire-fighting suits to first-responders in the front-line border towns, and staging pro-Israel rallies worldwide.

First National Call Center Opened for Holocaust Survivors, 2021

The ICEJ joined with charitable partners to open Israel’s first National Call Center to serve the urgent needs of Holocaust survivors nationwide. The center is located near our Home for Holocaust Survivors in Haifa, and plans are underway to open another call center in Jerusalem.

Banner Year for Aliyah, 2022

The ICEJ assisted a total of 6,308 Jews in making Israel their new home in 2022, bringing our total Aliyah assistance inn excess of 170,000. Among those helped in 2022 were 1,092 Ukrainian Jews desperate to escape their war-torn cities. This included 190 Holocaust survivors plus an additional 100 frail elderly Jews who were all rescued from Ukraine and provided special accommodations, transport and medical care along the way to Israel.

ICEJ Rescues Holocaust Survivors in Ukraine, 2022

Over the summer, a hundred elderly Holocaust Survivors en route to Israel were sheltered and cared for in a nursing home in Warsaw and had medical expenses covered in Warsaw and Bucharest. This, in addition, to some 90 Holocaust Survivors rescued out of the Ukraine earlier in the year, brought the total elderly assisted by the ICEJ since the war began to nearly 300 in 2022. Some of those Ukrainian Holocaust Survivors are now living in the ICEJ’s Haifa Home.