Emphasis on Continued Pressure on Iran at Christians United for Israel Conference
Israeli officials on Monday evening, August 1st, emphasized in speeches on the first day of the Christians United for Israel conference that pressure on Iran to stop human rights violations and military presence in Syria will remain strong.
At this conference held in Washington, Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, was one of the speakers at the session. She said that America will continue to stand alongside Israel. Ms. Haley called on the international community not to view Israel as a temporary entity.
The thirteenth annual conference of Christians United for Israel took place on Monday and Tuesday, August 1st and 2nd, in the American capital, with the participation of thousands of American supporters of Israel.
Christians United for Israel, known as CUFI, is considered one of the largest pro-Israel organizations, with millions of American Christians among its members.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, participated on Monday, the first day, via satellite link at this conference, and emphasized concerns about pressure on the Christian minority in the Middle East.
He said: “Christians in Iran are persecuted and harassed. Christian priests are imprisoned for years. I think this should be a cause for concern for everyone, and let me say clearly, Israel supports Christians in Iran. Now why do so many people remain silent in the face of imprisonment and torture of Christians in Iran? Let me say we Israelis will not remain silent. And I will not stop emphasizing the long-term suffering of the Iranian people, whether Christians and Baháʼís, or students and journalists.”
Christianity is recognized in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s basic law, but the US State Department says Christians in Iran are not allowed to worship and are imprisoned because of religious activities.
Ron Dermer, Israel’s Ambassador to America, also emphasized in his remarks that Israel will intensify pressure on Iran to cause it to abandon its nuclear ambitions and regional domination.
He said: “We will not allow Iran to establish a military base in Syria, provide advanced weapons to Hezbollah, and produce precision-guided missiles in Syria or Lebanon.”
American pastor John Hagee, founder and president of Christians United for Israel, called on Christian activists at Monday’s conference to urge the US government and lawmakers to support Israel against Iran.
At this gathering, however, the greatest reception was for Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, who is known for defending and supporting Israel against critics.
Ms. Haley said: “Our desire for justice toward Israel is in line with peace. The United Nations’ bias against Israel has long weakened the prospect of peace by fueling the illusion that Israel will go away. Israel is not going anywhere. When the world comes to this understanding, then peace will be possible.”
Ms. Haley did not mention Iran by name in her speech, but the Islamic Republic is the only government whose leaders have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel.
Source: Voice of America
