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Jewish christian leaders unite { April 3 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20030403-91529311.htmhttp://washingtontimes.com/national/20030403-91529311.htm
Jewish, Christian leaders unite
Donald Lambro
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published April 3, 2003
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Hundreds of Christian and Jewish leaders gathered here yesterday to strengthen and renew their alliance in support of Israel and the Bush administration's war to dismantle Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq.
The purpose of the daylong meeting at the Mayflower Hotel was to show solidarity with the Stand for Israel campaign. The campaign is a project of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, whose co-chairmen are Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein and campaign strategist Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition leader who often provides political advice to the Bush administration.
The war in Iraq permeated many of the speeches yesterday, including a keynote address by Attorney General John Ashcroft that tied the U.S.-led invasion to the war against terrorist groups that have been attacking Israel. Speakers also praised President Bush's leadership against terrorism and his strong support for Israel.
"What we are seeing unfold in Iraq is another step in stopping the threat of al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups that seek to destroy the fabric of freedom woven by democracies around the world," Mr. Ashcroft said.
"Your ability to generate grass-roots solidarity for the war against terrorism here, in Israel and elsewhere, helps the cause of freedom," he said.
"I hope you are praying for this president every day," Sen. Sam Brownback, Kansas Republican, told the packed audience in the Mayflower ballroom to sustained applause.
Rabbi Eckstein, the organization's founder, and other religious leaders such as Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention focused on the deep spiritual beliefs that have united evangelical Christians and Jews in behalf of Israel, ending years of suspicion and political estrangement.
"When my parents first heard I was working with born-again Christians, they said, 'What kind of work is that for a nice Jewish boy?' " Mr. Eckstein said.
Mr. Land said support for Israel among Baptists and evangelical Christians is not new. "It's been going on for many years. We believe that God gave the land of Israel to the Jews forever. They are God's chosen people."
In addition to the themes of religious tolerance and unity expressed by Rabbi Eckstein and the Rev. Jerry Falwell, among others, there also was a strong political subtext to the day's events, both for Republicans and the administration.
Republican strategists say they believe the emerging alliance between Jews and conservative Christians has helped them make inroads into the once solidly Democratic Jewish vote.
"Especially younger Jewish voters who are more conservative in their views and are disillusioned with the liberal agenda," said one of the conference's officials.
Copyright © 2003 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
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