The international delegation brought together Christian leaders and influencers from around the world alongside released hostages, bereaved families, wounded Israelis, ambassadors and diplomats. Hosted by Australian journalist Erin Molan and actor and Israel advocate Nate Buzolic, the evening placed the personal stories of October 7 at the center of the gathering.
For the Christian leaders who traveled to Jerusalem from around the world, the event was an opportunity not only to remember the victims of October 7, but to stand publicly with Israel and the Jewish people and to hear directly from those whose lives were changed forever.
Among the most powerful moments was the appearance of released hostage Bar Kuperstein, who came to the stage together with his grandfather, Michael Kuperstein, a Holocaust survivor. Bar, who was abducted from the Nova music festival and spent two years in captivity, spoke about his experience and the determination that helped him survive. His grandfather, who survived the Holocaust in Europe, represented a deeply personal connection between two generations and two defining moments in Jewish history.
Sagui Dekel Chen, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz and spent years in captivity, spoke through tears about returning to the community he had once called home. He described the devastation he witnessed and the 64 members of Nir Oz who were murdered on October 7. Yet despite the loss of his community and the trauma of captivity, Dekel Chen told the international audience that the people of Nir Oz never lost hope and that hope remains at the heart of their struggle to rebuild.
Released hostages Agam Berger and Evyatar David also addressed the audience, sharing stories of captivity, loss, survival and rebuilding. Berger performed "Hallelujah" on stage, creating one of the evening's most emotional moments.
The stories of those who were lost were equally central to the gathering. Galit Waldman, mother of Major Ariel Ben Moshe, spoke about her son, a senior officer in an elite commando unit who fought terrorists in the Re'im area before continuing to Kibbutz Be'eri. There, he entered the community to protect and rescue 14 year old children. He was shot while fighting to save them and ultimately paid with his life. Waldman delivered a message of resilience to the international audience, emphasizing that despite the loss and the pain, Israel continues to stand.
Another powerful moment came when Evans presented the Friends of Zion "Here Am I" Award to Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun, who was among the passengers who helped stop an attempted hijacking aboard a
Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv just days before the Jerusalem gathering. After the co pilot attacked the captain and the aircraft went into a steep dive, Hayun and other passengers rushed toward the cockpit and helped overpower the attacker. Hayun also briefly took hold of the aircraft controls as the plane was being brought back under control. The flight, carrying more than 170 passengers, eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Hayun's story of courage under extreme circumstances became one of the evening's most striking reminders of the instinct to protect others in moments of danger.
The event highlighted the strength of Christian solidarity with Israel. Sylvan Adams, President of the World Jewish Congress Israel, thanked Christian communities around the world for standing with Israel and the Jewish people since October 7. "Millions of Christian friends around the world stood up and said clearly: You are not alone," Adams said.
For Evans, who founded Friends of Zion to strengthen the relationship between Israel and Christian communities around the world, the gathering represented a message that extended far beyond Jerusalem.
"This evening is much more than an event. It is a message to the world: Israel and the Jewish people are not alone," Evans said.
The Jerusalem gathering was part of a 24 hour international broadcast connecting Jerusalem with communities supporting Israel across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Latin America.
According to the organizers, the broadcast has already reached more than 120 million viewers worldwide, taking the message of solidarity far beyond the thousands who gathered in Jerusalem.
For the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit delegation, the event was the centerpiece of several days of activities in Israel, including a meeting with President Isaac Herzog at the President's Residence, a visit to Yad Vashem and events marking October 7 at the Nova site and other locations connected to Jewish history and heritage.
Three years after October 7, thousands of people from around the world gathered in Jerusalem to remember those who were murdered, hear directly from survivors and families, and carry their stories back to communities across the globe with one clear message: Israel and the Jewish people are not alone.
For inquiries: Tal Marom, Head of Communications and Public Diplomacy for Dr. Mike Evans and FOZ [email protected]
SOURCE Friends of Zion
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