Thursday, January 11, 2001
BFP: 50 Million Christians Worldwide Represented on Solidarity Mission to Israel.
Bridges for Peace, an evangelical Christian organization
headquartered in
Jerusalem, has organized a Solidarity Mission to Israel. On December 3,
2000, more than 100 Christian leaders from various organizations
representing more than 50 million Christians worldwide will join Bridges
for Peace for four days in Jerusalem to demonstrate strong, comprehensive
and unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people at this very
difficult and violent time.
The delegates will meet with government, military and media
leaders. Their express purpose is to show support for the nation of Israel
and to stand with her people during this current crisis; as well as to
identify with indigenous Christians who are caught in the middle of this
conflict.
Delegates from many denominations and nations of the world will see
the facts on the ground and hear from experts and high level officials. This
delegation believes that Israel has been wrongly labeled as the aggressor
in the current conflict and intends to form an international network of
Christian supporters to speak effectively on Israelšs behalf.
Joining Bridges for Peace in this delegation are leaders from a
variety of organizations including the National Unity Coalition for Israel;
Friends of Israel; the National Christian Leadership Conference for
Israel; and the International Third World Leaders Association. Delegates
from several Jewish organizations will also be participating in the
scheduled meetings.
Clarence H. Wagner, Jr., International Director of Bridges for
Peace in Jerusalem states, "Throughout the centuries, the Christian world
has been a major source of Jewish suffering. When not actively involved in
persecuting the Jewish people, the Church has generally remained silent.
Now is the time for responsible Christians to speak out on behalf of Israel
as it is being maligned and falsely accused. The Christian world has a
great debt to pay to Israel and the Jewish people, and it is time we stand
up and do whatever we can for a secure Israel today."
Bridges for Peace is a Jerusalem-based, Christian organization
edicated to the building of sincere relationships between Christians and
Jews. The organization has offices on six continents. Their publications
express the message of Christian support for Israel in many languages.
Bridges for Peace Solidarity Mission Schedule - December 2 - 7
Sunday - December 3
Proceed to Haas Promenade for an overlook of Jerusalem. We will have an
inter-faith ceremony, as we join together in prayer for the Peace of
Jerusalem. - 18:30
Monday - December 4
1. Military briefing by Colonel David Haham (reserves), Israel Defense
Force (IDF) Spokesman at Neve Shmuel. 8:00 - 9:30
2. Tour and briefing of the security situation at a Jewish community in the
territories. Sondra Barris, Director of the Israel Office of Christian
Friends of Israeli Communities will speak and we will meet people who live
in the community who can share their lives with us. 10:00 - 12:15
3. Lunch Break on Ben Yehuda Street -- 13:00 - 14:30
4. Yad VaShem Visit 15:00 - 16:30
5. Prayer for Peace of Israel at Knesset Menorah --17:00 - 17:30
6. Meeting with Mr. Ben-David, ministry of tourism for North America 18:00
- 18:30
7. Jerusalem in the current conflict - meeting with Mayor Ehud Olmert (at
Dan Pearl Hotel) -- 18:30 - 19:00
8. Evening meeting - Media Influence and Influencing the media - Amotz
Asael, the Executive Director of the International Edition of the
Jerusalem Post, David Bedein of Israel Resource News Agency and Michael and
Felice Friedson of Jewish Horizons Radio.- 20:30 p.m.
Tuesday - December 5
1. How did Israel get to this current situation? Clarence Wagner,
International Director, Bridges for Peace - 8:00 - 8:50
2. Rabbi Michael Melchior - 8:50 - 9:50
3. Clarence Wagner cont. - 9:50 - 10:15
4. Islamic persecution of Christians and Jews - Justus Weiner - 10:15 -
11:30
5. Questions and answer session with Clarence Wagner and Justus Weiner -
11:30 - 12:30
6. Lunch Break - 12:30 - 14:00
7. Effects of terrorism on the nation and individual families - Nadia and
Ruth Matar of Women in Green - 14:00 - 15:30
8. The Islamization of Biblical Sites -- Dr. Eliat Mazar - 3:30-4:30
9. Briefing with Dani Danon, Likud Party Representative, and Director of
Betar - 4:30 - 5:30
Evening Meeting - Activism for Israel - Panel discussion with Clarence
Wagner, International Director of Bridges for Peace, Esther Levins of
National Unity Coalition, JoAnn Magnuson, Education Director, BFP - US.
Elwood McQuaid, Friends of Israel, -- 8:00 pm
Wednesday - December 6
1. Tour of Gilo, Jerusalem neighborhood which has been repeatedly fired on
in recent weeks. 8:00 - 8:30
2. Visit to the BFP Outreach Center to see how Christians are standing with
Israel - 8:30 - 9:15
3. Tree planting in the Jerusalem Forest - 9:45 - 10:45
4. Visit the Western Wall for a time of individual prayer and reflection.
11:15 - 12:00
5. Lunch Break at the mall - 12:30 - 13:30
6. A Crisis of Faith; Effects of the situation on Christian Communities -
Rev. Petra Heldt, Ecumenical Fraternity in Israel - 14:00 - 15:00
7. A Crisis of Faith; Effects of the situation on Jewish Communities Rabbi
Ron Kronish, Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel. 15:00 - 16:00
8. Religious Jewish Perspective on land and peace with Rabbi Jonathan Blass
--16:00 - 17:30
Evening meeting - Natan Scharansky, (not confirmed) Head of Israel b'Aliyah
Knesset Party and former Minister of Interior and meet and hear the story
of an immigrant family who has been assisted through the immigration
process by Christians. -- 20:00
Thursday - December 7- Departure for Home
For more information on this Solidarity Mission or Bridges for Peace,
contact Clarence Wagner at: 106024.3346@compuserve.com or call
+972-2-624-5004. Cell 052-872-407
Note: Schedule may be subject to changes because of the tense security
situation.
Reproduced by permission of IMRA, Independent Media Review and Analysis, Israel.
http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=403
