U.S. EVANGELICALS, ISRAELI LEADERS GATHER IN JERUSALEM

Excerpts from a story in the Christian Post: "Nearly 2,000 Evangelical Christians and high profile Israeli leaders met together in Jerusalem Thursday as part of the historic 'Epicenter 08' conference. The conference, which was organized by The Joshua Fund, a D.C.-based evangelical organization, gathered Christians from around the world to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and highlighted support for the Jewish State, which it called a 'biblical obligation.' Israeli Cabinet Minister Isaac Herzog, who was among those representing the Jewish State as it made preparations to celebrate its coming 60th anniversary next month, praised the organization for its dedication to Israeli causes and efforts to 'bless Israel' with more than '$100 million in aid within three years.' Joel C. Rosenberg, founder and organizer of The Joshua Fund, wrote of the powerful endorsement on his blog. 'He thanked The Joshua Fund for doing humanitarian relief work to care for the poor and needy and victims of war and terrorism and for advancing a message of unconditional love and unwavering support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people,' he reported. 'Herzog encouraged The Joshua Fund to continue educating America's 100 million evangelicals and mobilizing them to provide food, clothing, medical supplies and other forms of humanitarian aid,' Rosenberg added. 'Herzog said unequivocally that evangelical Christian support for Israel is much needed and deeply desired.' Former CIA Director and Florida Congressman Porter Goss, along with various other influential U.S.-based pastors who had flown in from America, were also present, and used the opportunity to praise the State of Israel and their firm resolution to back the Jewish State against the threats of terrorism and radical Islam...."