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U.S. Evangelicals Are Sending Money and Manpower to Israel
(Times of Israel) Cathryn J. Prince - High above Times Square the images flash: a bloodied pacifier, rope-bound hands, an empty wheelchair, pictures of the 240 Israeli people taken hostage by Hamas. The images are part of Don't Look Away, a campaign launched by Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Over a month into the Israel-Hamas war, American Evangelicals are providing moral and material support to Israel, hosting fundraisers and poster campaigns, and sending volunteers and supplies. "We have 10 million members. So many people want to help in a physical way to give Israel and Jewish people some sense that you are not alone," said CUFI's co-executive director Shari Dollinger. CUFI, founded in 2006, has so far raised $2.65 million for Israeli charities, primarily first responders. On Oct. 15, member churches shared the same talking points in sermons. CUFI is selling yard signs and unity pins showing an American flag together with the Israeli flag for $2. All proceeds go to Israeli charities. On Oct. 11, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention issued an "Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel" signed by 2,000 pastors, theologians, and academic leaders across denominational lines. It said, "In keeping with Christian Just War tradition, we also affirm the legitimacy of Israel's right to respond against those who have initiated these attacks as Romans 13 grants governments the power to bear the sword against those who commit such evil acts against innocent life."