FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

Dear friends,

Israel just marked 75 years since David Ben-Gurion declared the independence of the State of Israel in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948. I’m continually in awe of this tiny nation that started as a country based on agriculture and socialist ideals but has become a global, free-market hub of technology and research. You can read about the fascinating ways Israel is leading the world in advances in agriculture, the environment, science, technology, and medicine on pages 8–9 in this month’s Word From Jerusalem.

The day before Yom Hatzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day), I returned from the Fiji Islands from an exciting visit. The recently established government plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem. Senior government officials, church leaders, and tribal elders all believe that good relations with Israel will bless their island nation in many areas—spiritual and material. I was amazed to see that the reborn country of Israel, though still relatively young, has become the hope of the nations.

Once I was back in Jerusalem, I attended the President’s reception for Independence Day, where Israelis’ excitement and pride for their country and its impressive accomplishments over the past 75 years was almost palpable. President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen spoke about these achievements and the current challenges that Israeli society is experiencing. Both came from different perspectives, yet each expressed that despite the recent mass demonstrations for and against judicial reforms, ample proof exists that Israel is a living, vibrant democracy where many voices are heard. President Herzog and Foreign Minister Cohen expressed confidence that a solution can and will be found to this hotly debated issue.

This is an exciting year to attend the Feast of Tabernacles, so please sign up now for the ICEJ USA tour to Israel for the Feast from September 26 to October 7, 2023. We hope you can join us! This year’s theme is “King of All the Earth.” Our key teaching article on pages 4–6 explores this topic of God as King and how Christians can bring His kingdom presence to Earth until Jesus returns to rule and reign from Jerusalem.

As you read through this issue, I pray you will be inspired by the many things God is doing here in Israel and throughout the world. May God bless you richly as you stand with Israel and our ministry in the exciting days ahead.

Many blessings from Jerusalem!

Dr. Juergen Buehler President

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

COVER PHOTO: The 75th Anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 25, 2023. Photo by Yonatan Sindel (Flash90)

FOR MAGAZINE ARCHIVES visit www.icejusa.org/wfj