Faith Leaders Rally on Capitol Hill in United Support for Israel, Against Antisemitism

This week, more than 300 pastors, rabbis, and faith leaders from 28 states gathered in Washington, D.C. for a historic advocacy campaign led by American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI). Their goal: to speak with one voice in support of Israel, combat the rise of antisemitism, and urge congressional leaders to act with moral clarity and conviction. NRB was proud to be a sponsoring partner and attendee at this powerful initiative.

The multi-day event opened Monday night with a welcome dinner at the Museum of the Bible, hosted by Dr. Susan Michael, Bishop Robert Stearns, and Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt.

“Tonight is more than a gathering; it’s a call to action,” said Stearns, founder & executive director of Eagles’ Wings. “We begin the process of strengthening this coalition, deepening our dialogue, and advancing the message of peace and solidarity for the whole human family.”

Dr. Susan Michael, director of ACLI and USA director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), added, “This is going to be the launch of a great movement…but it will take all of us coming together, working to push it forward.”

In those three days, faith leaders rallied around a shared purpose: to urge Congress to take bipartisan action on key issues such as dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and establishing a demilitarized Gaza. In total, more than 90 advocacy meetings took place across Capitol Hill.

“Jews and Christians [have] come together to say and do what was not said and what was not done too long ago,” said Rabbi Weinblatt. “We will not be alone. We will be the helpers.”

Jennifer Korn, deputy assistant to the President & faith director at the White House Faith Office, reminded attendees that people of faith have a welcomed and needed role in public life. “You are more powerful than our enemies,” Korn said. “If we all come together, you will change the world—one by one by one.”

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) echoed the spiritual bond between the U.S. and Israel, stating, “The relationship between Israel and America is not a political one. It is a spiritual one. And we, His children, must make His love real on Earth.”

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson reinforced the biblical and moral underpinnings of the movement: “God’s word and the truth we share will continue to light our way forward. We have to continue to stand firm in our faith and the foundations the Jews and Christians have long shared—individual liberty, the rule of law, the dignity of every single human life.”

He continued: “That’s why your work and your united voice here in Washington are so critically important. …We need more watchmen on the wall, more leaders willing to stand firm in the defense of Israel and the defense of truth.”

Jason Wuliger of the Jewish Federations of North America added a challenge to the Christian community: “The duty of Christians is to respond to the violence. …We will resist whenever our adversaries demand of us compliance contrary to the orders of the Gospel.”

As the evening closed, Dr. Michael JT Fisher, pastor of Greater Zion Church, offered a stirring final thought: “Somebody might be in here saying, ‘What in the world can these three days shift?’… If you are from the Christian community, I just want to say that both have one thing in common: that a lot can happen in three days.”

On Tuesday, the coalition took to Capitol Hill, meeting directly with lawmakers in advocacy meetings organized in groups by state and congressional district.

That evening, the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) hosted a special Independence Day Congressional Reception featuring remarks from members of Congress and other key leaders. Jordanna McMillan, director of the IAF, praised the day’s faith-based advocacy and encouraged continued bipartisan support through legislative caucuses rooted in spiritual conviction.

“These caucuses share a belief that the state of Israel has the right to exist in peace and secure borders with Jerusalem as its eternal, undivided capital,” McMillan said. “We call this work faith-based diplomacy. What you did today is faith-based advocacy. These legislators, just like yourselves, stand with Israel because of their faith, and that means their support is never going anywhere.”

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) shared a moving account of witnessing footage from the October 7th attacks and challenged Christians to respond with moral clarity: “I believe in peace with strength. I believe in speaking very clearly about what you believe. But my Bible is crystal clear: Faith without works is dead.”

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) emphasized the unbreakable alliance between Israel and the United States, calling them “the two greatest beacons of hope in the world.” Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus (CIAC), affirmed the enduring nature of the alliance: “Israel is here to stay…unwavering and iron-clad.”

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter gave a deeply personal and philosophical reflection on Israel’s identity, the loss of his son in combat, and the guiding hand of history: “We believe we are not happenstance. …There is a guidance to destiny, and we can be part of it if we choose to be that bold.”

“Never be afraid to stand up and say no,” Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) said. “Too often as Christians or people of faith, we buy into this idea that we have to tolerate their perspective. And their perspective is to kill. Their perspective is hating, demonizing.”

“We are in this fight, and it’s a fight that I know we can win,” said Rep. Brad Schneider (R-Colo.), co-chair of the CIAC.

The campaign wrapped up Wednesday morning with a workshop on combatting antisemitism. Bishop Stearns encouraged partnership with the Israel Christian Nexus and challenged attendees to “bring your church to Israel. Let the land speak for itself.”

Dr. Susan Michael shared resources on speaking up about antisemitism and what makes Christians vulnerable to it, including growing biblical illiteracy and unfair accusations.

EJ Kimball of Combat Antisemitism spoke on the rise of anti-Zionism and shared the sobering reality of his own children facing antisemitism: “It’s been challenging, but it’s been an opportunity for me to educate, quite frankly, a lot of my Jewish friends about these problems that we had seen permeating for years.”

Os Guinness, renowned English author, theologian, and social critic, closed out the event, discussing America’s foundations, suggesting they are deeply biblical, particularly rooted in “covenantalism.” He expressed concern about America “squandering its heritage in a single generation” and “falling away…from the Jewish roots of all that is great about America.”

He contended that contemporary anti-Semitism is not only evil, but foolish, arguing that “Jewish ideas lie behind the greatest ideas of the West and America, and are the only way forward.”

In closing, Dr. Michael said, “This is God’s design—that we all bring our talents, our skills, our strengths, we put them together, and we can do so much more than we can even dream alone.”

Hosted by ACLI in partnership with Eagles’ Wings, the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition, Combat Antisemitism Movement, and Israel Allies Foundation, the three-day event was sponsored by CBN Israel, NRB, Thrive America, Bridges for Peace, Concerned Women for America, and Lifeshield.

As evangelical Christians continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, the release of all hostages, and the end of antisemitism, NRB reaffirms its biblical support for Israel’s sovereignty—including its rightful claim to Judea and Samaria—and its commitment to fighting antisemitism worldwide. Together with ACLI and other faith-based partners, NRB stands resolute in its call to defend truth, justice, and the people of Israel.