Today marks exactly one year since the tragic day that Hamas invaded Israel and murdered over 1,200 innocent people and kidnapped over 250 more. On this anniversary, our message to Israel and the Jewish people is simple: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
We wept with you on October 7th 2023 and we stand by your side one year later. At Christians United for Israel, we represent the voices of tens of thousands of Christians in the UK that have pledged to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, proclaiming: “For Zion’s sake, I will not keep silent.”
Twelve months on, Israel faces unprecedented challenges. Hostages remain captive in Gaza and need to be returned. The Iranian regime and their proxies, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, are trying to enact their stated aims – to destroy Israel. But they will not succeed. Israel wants to live and will not allow it to happen.
We have seen that Israel’s fight is not confined to the battlefield. The wave of misinformation has attempted to make Israel the perpetrator, not the victim. With many in politics, the media and in the international community buying into this deception, it has become more important than ever to make the truth known. Through the past year, CUFI supporters have put words into action and helped us confront the lies. But we must not stop.
Meanwhile, antisemitism in the UK has tripled in the past year – not because of Israel’s actions, but because of Israel’s existence. It is a stain on our country, but as Christians we want the Jewish community to know that this is NOT in our name.
Thank you for standing with CUFI in our commitment to stand with Israel. Please take a moment tonight to light a candle in your home, read our reading for prayer and reflection, and share this ‘Facebook candle’ online.
On this solemn day, we remember all the victims of October 7th and their families. We pray for the release of the hostages. We pray for all those serving in the IDF and for Israel’s victory against its enemies. And we hold onto the hope so heart-warmingly embodied by the Jewish people – Am Yisrael Chai, the nation of Israel lives.
The CUFI UK team
Please support CUFI UK