Representatives from countries including Fiji, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Iran, Indonesia, and North Korea walked the three-mile route, some dressed in native garb, distributing flags, candy, and other gifts to the thousands of Israelis who lined the streets. The parade is indeed a special opportunity for Jews and Christians to bond in the city both religions consider holy.
Thousands of Christian Evangelists and Israelis march at a parade in center of Jerusalem marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot or the Feast of the Tabernacles October 4 2023 Photo by Chaim GoldbergFlash90Thousands of Christian Evangelists and Israelis march at a parade in center of Jerusalem marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot or the Feast of the Tabernacles October 4 2023 Photo by Chaim GoldbergFlash90
March of the Nations (Photo courtesy ICEJ)
The Feast of the Tabernacles intentionally coincides with the week-long holiday of Sukkot, which, in the days of the Temple, was the only Jewish holiday in which non-Jews were invited and encouraged to participate in. Zechariah prophesied that in the Messianic era, the holiday would again take on an international element.
Thousands of Christian Evangelists and Israelis march at a parade in center of Jerusalem marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot or the Feast of the Tabernacles October 4 2023 Photo by Chaim GoldbergFlash90
And it shall come to pass that everyone that is left of all the nations that came against Yerushalayim shall go up from year to year to worship the King Hashem of hosts and to keep the Sukkot.
Thousands of Christian Evangelists and Israelis march at a parade in center of Jerusalem marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot or the Feast of the Tabernacles October 4 2023 Photo by Chaim GoldbergFlash90
March of the Nations (Photo courtesy ICEJ)
The evening before, several dozen protesters demonstrated outside the Pais Arena stadium in Jerusalem, where the ICEJ was holding its Israeli Night.
Thousands of Christian Evangelists and Israelis march at a parade in center of Jerusalem marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot or the Feast of the Tabernacles October 4 2023 Photo by Chaim GoldbergFlash90
This year, the Jewish holiday and concurrent Christian event come during heightened tensions in Jewish-Christian relations, which have been rising due to fears that Christians are intensifying their efforts to proselytize Israeli Jews. In March, a law was proposed in the Knesset by the United Torah Judaism alliance that would have criminalized missionizing in Israel. In August, several Christian organizations, including the ICEJ had their requests for clergy visas denied, inhibiting them from carrying out projects that benefit Israel. Several Jewish leaders came out in unequivocal support of the organizations. In the first three weeks of July, some 17 discriminatory acts against Christians were reported across Israel, reported by independent researcher and activist Yisca Harani. They included spitting, verbal abuse, vandalism, and stone-throwing.
Thousands of Christian Evangelists and Israelis march at a parade in center of Jerusalem marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot or the Feast of the Tabernacles October 4 2023 Photo by Chaim GoldbergFlash90
March of the Nations (Photo courtesy ICEJ)
Unfortunately, some Christian visitors will hope to use their time in the Jewish state to engage in missionary activity. The ICEJ does its best to prevent this, warning its guests to refrain from such offensive behavior. It is important to emphasize that the ICEJ has never been involved in any attempts to proselytize in Israel.
Thousands of Christian Evangelists and Israelis march at a parade in center of Jerusalem marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot or the Feast of the Tabernacles October 4 2023 Photo by Chaim GoldbergFlash90
