Christians from 38 nations join Israeli leaders for 10th annual Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast

JERUSALEM – Israeli lawmakers, government officials, and Christian leaders from 38 nations gathered at the Knesset this week for the 10th annual Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast (JPB), a milestone event focused on prayer, solidarity, and support for Israel during a period of heightened regional uncertainty.

Held in Israel's parliament, the gathering brought together participants from across denominations, countries, and political perspectives under a shared theme: praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

ALL ISRAEL NEWS correspondent Isamar Mata was there to cover the event, which took place against the backdrop of ongoing concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence, as well as continued conflict involving Iranian-backed terror groups. Several speakers warned that diplomatic agreements alone would not eliminate the threats facing Israel and emphasized the need for vigilance, faith, and international support.

Among the strongest messages delivered during the gathering were warnings about the Iranian regime and its stated hostility toward Israel.

Knesset Member Ohad Tal told the attendees, "I saw reports that a senior Saudi official conditioning normalization with Israel on the establishment of a Palestinian state. But we all know what that actually means. A failed terror state in the heartland of Israel that will be established in the region will bring further violence and bloodshed. What a shame, what a missed opportunity. So to our Saudi partners, I say: 'Move on, move on.' Let's restate a simple truth. Judea and Samaria are integral parts of our ancestral homeland."

"As long as the Iranian regime survives, any deal is temporary. Any ceasefire just delays the resumption of war. Israel will not surrender to terror. And we will not surrender to evil. The people of Israel live. The God of Israel lives. And Jerusalem will stand forever."

Former Congresswoman and JPB co-chair Michele Bachmann underscored the seriousness of Iran's threats to the international community.

"The ayatollah said that his father wrote this book, and it was about 10 years ago...'We will annihilate Israel in 25 years.' They are not making that up. They're serious. That is their plan. All you have to do is look at their actions. Everything they've done for 10 years is to set that up. Everything for the last 47, 48 years is to set that up. And if there's anything history has taught us, it's this: When a madman speaks, listen, pay attention....We are on a knife's edge. That doesn't bring us to fear. That brings us to our knees because we recognize that the God of the Bible has Israel in the palm of his hand. He has the Jewish people in the palm of his hand. He has all of us, all of our nations, because this threat isn't just against Israel. It's against all of your nations, too."

Throughout the event, speakers repeatedly described prayer as an essential source of strength for Israel and the first line of defense alongside IDF soldiers and security forces serving on the front lines.

Members of Knesset and international Christian leaders also highlighted the growing partnership between Christians and the Jewish people. Speakers stressed that support for Israel extends beyond political alliances and is rooted in shared faith, history, and values.

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli emphasized that Israel's national resilience is rooted in education and the importance of fostering a strong connection to the country's identity, culture, and history. He said children should remain "connected to the legacy" of previous generations and to the story of the Jewish people, from the Bible and the "Exodus of Egypt" through the entirety of Jewish history.

Other speakers highlighted the shared heritage between Christians and Jews and encouraged believers worldwide to support Israel. That message of partnership echoed throughout the gathering, where participants expressed solidarity with the Jewish state amid international criticism and ongoing security challenges.

Bachmann asserted, "We need to stand with them now because we are attacked, they are attacked. And together we're strong and united. And this is what God calls us to do: to bless Israel. We're watching the world curse Israel, and we're called to bless them."

One of the distinctive features of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast was its ability to bring together political rivals. Members of both the governing coalition and the opposition participated in prayers and worship, presenting what organizers described as a powerful example of unity despite political disagreements.

Yesh Atid party member, Knesset Member Tatiana Mazarsky, noted: "This isn't just another year. This is a pivotal moment in world history, in God's history, in biblical timing, and so I'm so proud of everyone who had the faith to come at this time."

Knesset Member Orit Farkash-Hacohen stood at the podium and said, "I'm an opposition member and I'm a very vocal critic of this government, but it doesn't mean anything when it comes to the protection of my people and to the very just war that our people is now engaged in against all these evil fronts – in multi fronts – that are aimed at one thing: to eliminate the Jewish people to eliminate the Jewish homeland to eliminate the Jewish religion...and afterwards to wage a fight against Christianity and every other religion which is not you know Islam by radical Islamist." She continued, "I think that in that sense, first of all, we have a huge alliance by faith and you're our allies and each one of you in his community is a leader, and a protector of us, the Jewish people and the Israeli people, in a very challenging time."

Other speakers, including Israeli lawmaker MK Michael Biton, praised the event for demonstrating Israel's democratic character and its ability to unite people around shared national interests.

“The Jews and you, the Christians who came today with the breakfast prayer for Jerusalem, that gives hope. We are a strong nation. The prophets promised us this land, but we need to build the land and to secure it."

Biton took a more forceful tone when addressing Iran’s posture toward Israel and the West, arguing that its hostility is rooted in ideology rather than history:

"I just want you to go out and ask why Iran hates Israel." He told the attendees: 'We never took land from them. We never took resources from them...We were building Iran until 1980. Why would this regime like to destroy Israel? Why call us the small Satan and the U.S. the big Satan? Because this is pure evil. This is the new pure evil. And if you are negotiating with them, and they're hiding and lying... And they lied to the nuclear council, and they were hiding materials, and they will continue to do that. So we need the attitude of Churchill against Hitler."

Biton also spoke about broader global trends and their impact on the Middle East, pointing to rising antisemitism in Europe and calling for expanded regional peace efforts.

"They should look what is happening in Europe, where radical Islamists start creating antisemitism, creating leaders that are afraid to fight pure evil. Christians should raise up and say, we are part of the Jewish history. We came out of it. And actually moderate Muslims also. In Indonesia, in Albania, there are moderate Muslims. They can talk to us; we cooperate with them. We would like to do an Abraham Accords peace process..." Biton said, adding that the Iranian regime is the main obstacle to peace with Lebanon.

The JPB gathering came only weeks after Jerusalem Day celebrations commemorating the reunification of the city in 1967. While participants celebrated Jerusalem's significance to Jews and Christians worldwide, many acknowledged that lasting peace for the city remains an ongoing aspiration.

Reflecting on Jerusalem's role as a city open to people of all faiths, MK Tal emphasized the importance of preserving freedom and access for all communities, saying, "Since Israel is having the control over the old city of Jerusalem, everybody is welcome. Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, everybody is welcome. We are not against anybody."

As the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast marked its 10th anniversary, attendees described the event as both a celebration of enduring friendships and a renewed commitment to pray for Israel, Jerusalem and peace in the Middle East.