29.08.2015 Views

Christian Zionism - New Life Tabernacle of Chattanooga

Christian Zionism - New Life Tabernacle of Chattanooga

Christian Zionism - New Life Tabernacle of Chattanooga

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

intensively there. We're advertising in that region and are taking the<br />

fullest advantage possible <strong>of</strong> media which is read or viewed specifically<br />

by the Southern Baptist population. For the past two years, Pat Boone<br />

and other “high pr<strong>of</strong>ile” figures have worked with us to promote Israel<br />

through the appropriate media.’ 1168<br />

Jerry Falwell’s Friendship Tour <strong>of</strong> Israel is not untypical <strong>of</strong> the kind <strong>of</strong> tour<br />

other <strong>Christian</strong> Zionist leaders organise. Taking upwards <strong>of</strong> 600 pilgrims at<br />

any one time, Falwell’s itinerary has in the past included the following<br />

programme <strong>of</strong> events:<br />

‘1. An Israeli American Friendship Banquet in Jerusalem with Dr<br />

Jerry Falwell and Prime Minister Menachem Begin.<br />

2. Meetings with top Israeli Administration <strong>of</strong>ficials and Knesset<br />

Members.<br />

3. Luncheon with Major Saad Haddad, Commander <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christian</strong><br />

forces in Southern Lebanon.<br />

4. Participating (particularly for pastors and other <strong>Christian</strong><br />

laymen) in a transatlantic, live TV satellite program.<br />

5. On-site tour <strong>of</strong> modern Israeli battlefields. (Hear military experts<br />

describe those battles and how they were decided.)<br />

6. Official visit to an Israeli defence installation by a top military<br />

leader. (This tour is rarely <strong>of</strong>fered.) You will see strategic military<br />

positions, plus experience first-hand the battle Israel faces.<br />

7. A Bibleland tour that avoids ancient Byzantine churches while<br />

emphasising the places where Jesus Himself, Moses, Abraham<br />

and other Bible Greats lived and walked.’ 1169<br />

The order is significant - Falwell and Begin first with Jesus and other ‘Bible<br />

Greats’ last. The ICZC in Jerusalem specifically promotes ‘solidarity tours’<br />

which are designed to enable <strong>Christian</strong>s not only to visit the traditional tourist<br />

places ‘but see the settlements and other places and people who specifically<br />

need our support, comfort and love.’ 1170 According to Kamal Farah <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Anglican Pilgrimage Office, it is the policy <strong>of</strong> the Israeli government to ensure<br />

all tourists and pilgrims visit the three key sites <strong>of</strong> Yad Vashem, the Wailing<br />

Wall and Masada in order to perpetuate a favourable image <strong>of</strong> Israel, stifle<br />

criticism and reinforce their claim to the land:<br />

‘The Holocaust Museum reminds those who come that <strong>Christian</strong>s are<br />

guilty <strong>of</strong> perpetrating the holocaust, and to represent Israel as a victim;<br />

1168<br />

1169<br />

Israel Travel <strong>New</strong>s, Pilgrimage 1993: A Manual for Agents. Summer (1993), p8.<br />

Wagner, ‘Beyond’, op.cit., pp1-13.<br />

1170<br />

International <strong>Christian</strong> Zionist Centre, ‘About Us – Israel My Beloved’<br />

http://www.israelmybeloved.com<br />

256

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!