More than 2,000 Christian and Jewish leaders, diplomats, media representatives and community leaders from 123 countries gathered in Jerusalem for an international event marking three years since October 7 and expressing solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people.
Held at the Southern Wall, the gathering was the centerpiece of the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit, led by Friends of Zion founder Dr. Mike Evans in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Event featured Christian leaders and influencers from around the world alongside released hostages (credit: David Saar)
The delegation included Christian leaders and influencers from around the world, alongside released hostages, bereaved families, wounded Israelis, ambassadors and diplomats. The evening was hosted by Australian journalist Erin Molan and actor and Israel advocate Nate Buzolic.
Several released hostages and family members of those killed on October 7 shared their experiences with the international audience.
Among them was released hostage Bar Kuperstein, who appeared on stage with his grandfather, Michael Kuperstein, a Holocaust survivor. Bar was abducted from the Nova music festival and spent two years in captivity. He spoke about his experience and the determination that helped him survive, while his grandfather represented a personal connection between two generations shaped by persecution and trauma.
Sagui Dekel Chen, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz and held in captivity, spoke about returning to the community he had called home. He described the devastation he encountered and the 64 members of Nir Oz who were murdered on October 7. Despite the loss and trauma, he told the audience that the community had not lost hope and continued to work toward rebuilding.
Released hostages Agam Berger and Evyatar David also addressed the audience, sharing their experiences of captivity, survival and rebuilding. Berger performed “Hallelujah” during the event.
Galit Waldman, mother of Maj. Ariel Ben Moshe, spoke about her son, an 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 children aged 14. He was shot while fighting to save them and was killed.
Waldman spoke about resilience in the aftermath of her son’s death, telling the international audience that Israel continues to stand despite the loss and pain.
During the event, Evans presented the Friends of Zion “Here Am I” Award to Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun, who was among those who helped stop an attempted hijacking aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv days before the Jerusalem gathering.
According to the account presented at the event, the co-pilot attacked the captain, sending the aircraft 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 situation was brought under control. The flight, which was carrying more than 170 passengers, eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Sylvan Adams, president of World Jewish Congress Israel, thanked Christian communities around the world for supporting 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.
Evans, who founded Friends of Zion to strengthen ties between Israel and Christian communities worldwide, said the gathering was intended to convey a broader message of support.
“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 formed part of a 24-hour international broadcast connecting the city with communities supporting Israel across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Latin America.
Organizers said the broadcast had reached more than 120 million viewers worldwide.
The summit delegation also took part in 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 festival site and other locations connected to Jewish history and heritage.
The gathering brought together international supporters of Israel to commemorate those killed on October 7, hear from survivors and bereaved families, and share their stories with communities around the world.
Written in collaboration with Friends of Zion