This morning Americans awoke to the news that Israelis had again sustained a barrage of incoming rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Over 200 rockets were launched at towns in southern Israel, and more than 50 were intercepted. Several Israelis were injured in the attack, including a young child.
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has launched an operation to distribute hundreds of protective vests to first-response volunteers and mobile bomb shelters in Israel. This undertaking on the part of The Fellowship was prepared in advance and in coordination with the Home Front Command of the Israel Defense Forces and various authorities in the region. It was tailored to meet the specific needs that were defined by security officers in each locality.
One of the primary focuses of The Fellowship is to secure the Jewish people in Israel and abroad, and over the years, Christian donors to the organization have provided thousands of bomb shelters and protective vests. They have helped to build emergency response centers and have provided emergency assistance—including food, shelter and other basic needs—in the aftermath of attacks just like the ones Israelis have endured overnight. In light of this, Yael Eckstein—The Fellowship’s president and CEO, who just arrived back from the United States where the annual Friends of the IDF Gala was dedicated to her father and his contribution to the Israeli armed forces—issues the following statement:
“Under no circumstances should innocent people be subjected to the attack of cowardly terrorists. Make no mistake, that is exactly what this is. Foreign governments and foreign terrorist organizations—largely created and supported by Iran—decided to fire over 200 rockets at innocent children and their families. In almost every circumstance, the people targeted include people who barely survived the Holocaust, who are now elderly and infirm, and are now in the path of these rockets. The Fellowship is prepared to protect and supply the needs of anyone in harm’s way in Israel. Most importantly, we ask our Christian friends in every corner of the globe to unite with us in prayer for the peace of Jerusalem, for all of the State of Israel, and for a world where our children no longer have to wake to the terrifying sound of rocket sirens.” {eoa}
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) was founded in 1983 to promote better understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews and build broad support for Israel. Today it is one of the leading forces helping Israel and Jews in need worldwide—and is the largest channel of Christian support for Israel. Founded by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, The Fellowship now raises more than $120 million per year, mostly from Christians, to assist Israel and the Jewish people. Since its founding, The Fellowship has raised more than $1.6 billion for this work. The organization has offices in Jerusalem, Chicago, Toronto and Seoul. For more information, visit ifcj.org.
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