This year CUFI is marking 10 years since launching in the United Kingdom. On 20 June 2015, we held our launch event at the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster. To mark the anniversary, Torch magazine interviews CUFI UK Executive Director, Des Starritt.
Des, what led you to start CUFI in the UK?
As I look back, I realise a series of “God-incidences” led to me starting CUFI. By that stage I had been working in Christian ministry for some 15 years. All the ministries that I was managing at the time had a connection to Israel. I was running several Christian Israel conferences both in the UK and Israel, and I was involved with CUFI America through my connection with John Hagee. Looking across this wide range of Christian Israel ministries, I realised there was a gap in the UK that could only be filled by CUFI. I spoke with Pastor Hagee and he gave me his blessing to start the ministry.
The launch event on 20 June 2015 was a very special night. What do you remember best from that event?
The evening was the culmination of six months of hard work and planning. We had gathered over 1,000 people in Westminster, despite threats by the anti-Israel lobby. The atmosphere was incredible; there was so much hope and enthusiasm in the room. The speakers were powerful and encouraging and that really gave us a boost as we officially launched Christians United for Israel in the UK. I remember the Deputy Ambassador, Etan Na’eh, saying “Desmond, when you came to see me to talk about CUFI, I never thought you would start so soon.” Only my mother called me “Desmond” and then usually when I was in trouble, but I knew starting CUFI was the right thing to do.
One of our first campaigns was Christians Against Antisemitism, because we were concerned about the rise of antisemitism that was being reported at the time. Ten years on, what are your thoughts about the antisemitism in the UK?
One factor for starting CUFI UK was that in 2014 there had been a war in Gaza. Again, it was started by Hamas when they kidnapped and murdered three Jewish teenagers and fired rockets into Israel. When Israel went to defend their people, the reaction inside the UK saw a massive spike in antisemitism. We felt it was only right that as Christians we should start our first campaign to confront antisemitism. We realised from the beginning it was a challenge. We went around the country to Christian exhibitions and conferences with a big display stand that read “Christians Against Antisemitism” and yet the response from some Christians was far from encouraging. We realised the church in the UK was far off our motto “Because I am a Christian I stand with Israel.” We have continued to fight antisemitism since then. It’s a dark stain on Christianity and our nation, and it needs to be stamped out.
What do you feel are some of the successes of CUFI over the past 10 years?
CUFI has grown to be perhaps the largest pro-Israel Christian advocacy organisation in the UK, but our success is really about the people. We’ve gathered thousands of supporters across the country, from North to South, East to West, who support CUFI and have a heart for Israel. I also recognise how important our small team has been to the success. Over the last 10 years they have dedicated their lives to gain a better understanding of Israel and the issues at hand. Their hard work has led to some amazing campaigns which have changed government policy and changed the way it acts. Together, we have plenty more to do. The big challenge for us is how do we get the church to recognise the importance of standing with Israel?
For ten years, CUFI has been sounding the alarm about the threat from Iran. CUFI’s 10th anniversary coincided with arguably one of the most significant events in our lifetime – Israel launching an operation to destroy Iran’s nuclear capability. How should Christians respond to these serious events?
We are living in prophetic times; the Bible is perhaps more relevant today than it’s ever been. It is far more reliable than the news and the media. We can see clearly that God has a plan and purpose for Israel. Over the last 10 years, CUFI has highlighted the dangers of Iran with our “Operation Mordecai” campaign; warning our UK government on how dangerous Iran’s radical ideology has been and still is a threat. Christians need to pray fervently for Israel but also for the people of Iran. We need to read the Word where we see God’s love for Israel on almost every page. We need to seek revelation, and he will reveal the mysteries in His Word. We also need to be advocates, speaking truth to power, and calling upon our government to align itself with God’s plans and purposes for Israel.
As we look ahead to the next ten years, why do you think CUFI’s work will be needed?
Israel is God’s promised land. As long as Israel exists, the enemies of Israel, who are the enemies of God, will seek her destruction; but God will not allow that to happen. His promises to Israel are eternal. There will always be a remnant of Christians who stand with Israel. It’s important that Christians stand on the right side of history, on God’s side, and align themselves with God’s plans and purposes for Israel. So, there will always be a need for Christians United for Israel to be a vehicle for Christians to raise their voices and not remain silent.
Photos from the CUFI UK Launch Event in 2015.
