by Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg

March 12, 2007, was a day in time and a moment in history. Televangelist preacher John Hagee spoke to six thousand of the most prominent, sophisticated Jewish leaders of the United States, and perhaps the world, at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Convention. His passionate words and his grasp of world affairs electrified the audience and transformed them into friends and, above all, believers in the cause of Christian support for Israel and Jewish people.

The Jewish audience saw in the person of Pastor John Hagee Christian friendship, Christian sacrifice, and unwavering Christian support in the defense of Israel and the Jewish people.

It was a moment in history because his embrace of love redeemed millennia of Jewish martyrdom.

For many years, Pastor Hagee has lived and labored selflessly for the people of Israel. In 1981, when the world condemned Israel for bombing a nuclear reactor in Iraq, Pastor Hagee’s response to world critics for Israel was to start “A Night to Honor Israel.” That night Pastor Hagee proclaimed, “Israel, you are not alone; Christians support you, and America supports you. We love you, and we shall stand by you.” For the last twenty-five years, A Night to Honor Israel has given encouragement, inspiration, and comfort to people who often felt alone. A Night to Honor Israel has also raised millions of dollars to support charities and resettlement of world Jewry in Israel.

In February of 2006, Pastor Hagee started a most ambitious and daring venture to strengthen and support Israel and the Jewish people: Christians United for Israel (CUFI). CUFI has assembled leaders of evangelical Christendom for one purpose alone, to defend and support Israel.

Pastor Hagee’s books have sold millions of copies, and his teachings have reached scores of millions of people throughout the world. Pastor Hagee, during this very turbulent time in the world both for Israel and America, has been a clear and wise voice that has alerted the world to the duplicity and hypocrisy of Europe, the United Nations, and the Arab and Muslim countries of the world.

The prophet Isaiah, in chapter 49, verse 22, says, “For thus saith my Lord, behold I will raise my hand toward the nations, and to the peoples will I hoist my banner, and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. Kings will be your nurturers and their princesses your wet-nurses. . . . For the Lord shall comfort Zion, He shall comfort all of her rooms; He shall make her wilderness like Eden and her wastelands like a garden of the Lord, joy and gladness shall be found there.”

The Lord has hoisted his banner to rally his troops. The evangelical Christians under the leadership of Pastor John Hagee have come to the forefront in support and defense of Israel. He has led the cavalry charge to Christendom.

In his new book, In Defense of Israel, Pastor Hagee makes a profound and compelling case for defending Israel. I believe it is a must-read and will strengthen and inspire Christians and all loves of Zion in these defining years of destiny.