Hundreds of Evangelicals led by Fiji dep. PM to take historic flight to Israel

A chartered flight of more than 250 Evangelical Christians from Fiji will fly to Israel next week to participate in the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem’s annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration.

Among the delegation will be Fiji’s deputy prime minister, Viliame R. Gavoka, leading his government’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem next year, along with cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, and other dignitaries.

Visitors will also come from Africa and the Middle East, including small groups of Christians from Egypt and Turkey. Featured speakers will include Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel, and Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum.

The week-long event from September 29 to October 6 will draw 3,000 Christians to celebrate Sukkot in Jerusalem, the Galilee, and the Negev. The Feast of Tabernacles celebration is Israel’s largest annual Christian tourist event.

Holy City solidarity march

Highlights will include a march across the Holy City in solidarity with the people of Israel and a visit to the border with Gaza, where Christians have helped replant a 50-hectare (126-acre) section of the forest burned in recent years by aerial arson attacks.

On Israeli Guest Night, October 3, Jewish Israelis will be invited to celebrate. The event will mark the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War and include guest speaker IDF Brig. Gen. (ret.) Avigdor Kahalani.

“We are privileged again to welcome the nations to Jerusalem for Sukkot, according to the ancient vision of the Hebrew prophet Zechariah,” said ICEJ president Dr. Jürgen Bühler. “We trust that as they encounter Israel up close, they will return to their home countries with a deeper love for this nation and a fresh inspiration from God, in keeping with Isaiah’s prophecy that the word of the Lord will go forth from Jerusalem.”