Christians around the world will come together during the winter season to plant 1,400 vibrant red tulips in memory of the 1,400 lives lost at the hands of Hamas terrorists on October 7, according to David Parsons, vice president and chief spokesperson for the organization. International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem.
Just two days before the Hamas massacre, the ICEJ led a group of 700 Christian pilgrims into the Negev and along the Gaza border fence to dedicate the “Christian Embassy Nature Park“, land which had been rehabilitated thanks to Christian donations in partnership with the Jewish National Fund Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael. The Christians had chosen to rehabilitate a section of the Beeri forest which had been burned in recent years by arsonists from Gaza throwing kites and fire balloons from Gaza.
The 126-acre forest was replanted with native oaks, eucalyptus and other broadleaf trees that are less flammable, provide plenty of shade and grow quickly even in the dry desert climate. At the inauguration ceremony, ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler said the project was meant to not only look beautiful, but also help “visibly protect Israelis from harm coming from Gaza.”
KKL-JNF’s Ronnie Vinnikov, Head of KKL-JNF’s Resource Development and External Relations Division, said: “We are healing the environment, and in the process we have also implemented safety and security measures. security for the inhabitants of the region.
Unbeknownst to them, just two days later, a group of terrorists broke through the fencewreaking havoc in the serene forest and killing Israelis.
Parsons noted that Israeli tanks also passed through the area as part of their response. But he said he wasn’t worried about the trampled flowers.
It’s time to replant
“It’s time to replant,” Parsons said. “You can’t regain lost lives.”
When the Christian delegation arrived at the Gaza border on October 5, they also took part in a mass solidarity rally at the local high school to encourage Israelis living along the Gaza border to learn resilience. This event was organized by the head of the Sha’ar Hanegev regional council, Ofir Libstein, who became the first designated victim of the war.
During his speech that day, Libstein said: “The people who live here in Sha’ar HaNegev, we guard the Land of Israel. We guard the border with the Gaza Strip… We have doubled our population in the last 10 years. and it’s all with your help. Because with your help we feel safe here. With your (bomb) shelters that you help us purchase and install here in the region, we live a better life. And I promise to do everything to keep the Land of Israel and build it stronger.
Parsons said: “We had a relationship with Mayor Libstein and all the regional council leadership. We were the first to start installing mobile bomb shelters here – almost 150 – and delivering firefighting equipment (to stop balloon fires). “We decided to collaborate with the Jewish National Fund to replant some of the burned areas. We invested millions of dollars.”
As such, he said October 7 “struck a nerve” for the pro-Israel Christian community which has devoted much of its efforts to repairing severed ties with Jews after years of Christian persecution.
“This is unlike anything we have seen, endured or seen here in this country since the ICEJ was established 43 years ago,” Parsons told the Post. “But we are determined to help these communities rebuild.”
Earlier this month, Parsons and a handful of other Christian leaders traveled to the South to visit the scene of the tragedy during a mission organized by the Knesset Christian Allies group and its co-chair, MP Sharren Haskel, and were notably informed by the Israeli army of the probable consequences. events that led to the deaths of Libstein, his mother-in-law and his son.
In Kfar Aza, bullets aimed at Libstein lay on the ground, while a crumpled blanket lay in the street in front of the house where he met his untimely demise.
“He came here to defend his own family,” said an IDF officer, pointing to Libstein’s house.
“The ICEJ categorically condemns this evil and horrific attack on Israel on a high Jewish holy day by Hamas and its patrons in Iran,” Parsons said that day among the ruins. “We urged Christians around the world to pray for Israel’s security.”
Parsons said many residents of Kfar Aza were peace-loving people who, like Libstein, wanted a better life for Israelis and Palestinians.
“The Jewish people have been faced with this before, and somehow they managed to survive – and today they have the Israeli army,” Parsons continued. “I thank God that Israel has an army and a nation.
“We will stand with this nation and help do what is necessary to bring peace and security to the entire region.”
