President Trump and Israel – BFP

July 27, 2017 - 3 minutes read

by: Rebecca J. Brimmer, Editor in Chief

On US Election Day in November 2016, I was leading a Solidarity Mission. The audience was full of Christians who love Israel. Many were from the US and were anxiously checking their smart phones for early election results. The air was electric with expectation as it became clearer that Donald Trump had a good chance of winning. Rabbi Tuly Weisz arrived just after we realized that Donald Trump had won. He immediately asked us to join him in prayer for the president-elect of the US. As Christians and Jews, we joined our hearts as one to pray for him.

The prayer is an Orthodox prayer for leaders: “He who grants salvation to kings and dominion to rulers, whose kingdom is a kingdom spanning all eternity, who releases David his servant from the evil sword, who places a road in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, may he bless the President, the Vice President, and all the Constituted Officers of Government of this Land. The King who reigns over Kings in his mercy may he protect them from every trouble, woe, and injury, may he rescue them and put into their hearts and into the hearts of all their councilors compassion to do good with us and with all Israel, our brethren. In their days and in ours, may Judah be saved and may Israel dwell securely, and may the Redeemer come to Zion. So may it be his will, and let us say: Amen.”

I hope that all of us are praying for those God has put in leadership. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Tim. 2:1–2).

In the pre-election process, Donald Trump had pledged undying support for Israel. He promised to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, and always spoke warmly of Israel.

In a recent poll, according to the Jerusalem Post, 61% of Israelis view the Trump administration as pro-Israel, despite the fact that just days before he had signed the waiver putting off the move of the US embassy to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, for an additional six months. Only 3% of respondents viewed his administration as more pro-Palestinian.

It was of great significance in the eyes of Israel that President Trump chose to visit Israel as part of his first trip abroad. American and Israeli flags were everywhere.

SOURCE: Bridges for Peace

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