Glenn Beck in Jerusalem "Love the Jewish People as They Are"
I went to a large screen screening last night in San Diego of Glenn Beck's rally in Jerusalem. Dudu Fische sung hatikva to a packed crowd where a mixed crowed of Jews and gentiles roared with applause and raised a sea of Israeli and American flags in support of the Jewish state. Rabbi Shlomo Riskin gave an introductory speech saying after thousands of years of persecution there now Christian supporters of Israel. Mayor Nir Barkat of Jerusalem, spoke before Glen Beck took the stage. Yesterday was both the 24th of August and the 24th of the Hebrew month of AV.
David Ha'Ivri, head of the Shomron (Samaria) Liaison Office, says he is a "unique Gentile" who loves Israel and Jews.
"Glenn Beck is one of those unique gentiles who appreciates the Jewish people and our national, historical and theological goals," Ha'Ivri said. "His agenda is out in the open and very clear: he wishes us well as the Jewish people preserving our Torah culture on our Holy land."
Declaring that the entire world is "reentering the age of miracles of God," he received thunderous applause when he said, "While there may not be a political solution, the good news is the G-d of Israel ain't running for office."
Simultaneously broadcast to over 80 countries throughout the world and close to 1,200 viewing parties, Beck said, "Let the Jewish people know, no matter what our governments may say, we are not our governments, we stand with you. We bring truth, we bring peace, we bring support, we bring comfort."
Previously in other talks in Israel throughout Israel, joining Beck on stage were Pastor John Hagee, founder and president of the Christians United For Israel (CUFI), American born Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat, David Barton, world-renowned historian and Dr. Mike Evans, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author who has sold over 23 million books.
Providing musical entertainment for the events was Grammy nominated R&B/soul/gospel singer Vernessa Mitchell, who was joined by Israeli singers and musicians.
"The Jews are still the apple of G-d's eye, still the chosen people, still the covenant people," declared Pastor Hagee as he took the podium. He drew an analogy with the late president John F. Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech, when he announced "Ani Yisraeli" (I am an Israeli). He then led the rally participants in chants of: "I am an Israeli!"
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, formerly of the Lincoln Square Synagogue on Manhattan's upper west side, spoke of Jewish appreciation for the support of the Christian pro-Israel community, and in particular that of Glenn Beck, who, Riskin said, is a "deeply patriotic American, a true friend of Israel."
Lauding the stoic character of the Christian supporters of Israel, Rabbi Riskin said, "We are not alone. We are Jews and not Christians.You Christians, nevertheless, have the courage to love us in our otherness. We are profoundly grateful for your courage to love us and stand with us."
Prior to the rally in Caesarea, Beck had toured the Samaria (Shomron) region, providing support to the communities there with a special visit to the town of Itamar, the site of the barbaric murder of five members of the Fogel family by Arab terrorists in March of this year.
Said Beck on his radio program broadcast from Israel, "I went to Itamar in Judea and Samaria; our cameras were the first to be allowed into the home. It is empty now and they are gone but they couldn't get all of the blood off the walls. I will tell you, this was one of the most horrific, bloodiest massacres I could imagine. It was horrifying, horrifying.
"And yet in that community, profound hope. If you stand in their backyard, you can see the two mountains: The Mountain of Blessing and the Mountain of Curse. It is scriptural. Which do you choose? The mountain of blessing or curse. And this community has both.
"I can't believe what people go through here in Israel, and the world stays silent. The media is distorting and lying, lying to you. Lying to you. And it is important that you know it."
Arab Knesset members had warned of possible violence on Wednesday as Beck held his "Restoring Courage" rally at the Southern Wall excavation sites near the Temple Mount, an event expected to garner an audience of over 2,000 at the Davidson Center in Jerusalem.
Beck advised his critics to watch the event before casting judgment. He said that when he held his Restoring Honor event at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, last August, people said he would desecrate the site with what they thought would be a right-wing political rally, but it ended up being nothing of the kind.
"Jerusalem is an example of coexistence working. You can't deny truth," he said.
Here is a link to a summary of speech and some pictures
The video is only available if you pay and I saw it at screening at night, but many rose early in the morning and watched it live
http://www.jewishjournal.com/bloggish/item/las_early_risers_watch_glenn_becks_restoring_courage_20110824/
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