Full Breakdown
International Gathering in Jerusalem Marks Three Years Since the October 7 Attack
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Large-Scale Solidarity Summit at the Southern Wall
More than 2,000 Christian and Jewish leaders, diplomats, media representatives and community figures from 123 countries assembled at the Southern Wall in Jerusalem’s Davidson Center to commemorate the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre. The event was the centerpiece of the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit, organized by Friends of Zion founder Dr. Mike Evans with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hosts included Australian journalist Erin Molan and actor-advocate Nate Buzolic.
Released hostages—Bar Kuperstein (Jpost spelling) and Bar Kupershtein (Ynet spelling), Sagui Dekel Chen, Agam Berger, Evyatar David—and bereaved families such as Galit Waldman, mother of Maj. Ariel Ben Moshe, addressed the audience.
A 24-hour international broadcast linked the venue with Friends of Zion communities worldwide, reaching an estimated audience of more than 120 million viewers.
Background & Context
Friends of Zion, founded to strengthen ties between Israel and Christian communities, has worked with hostage families since October 8 2023 to amplify their stories and provide financial support. The summit aimed to counter perceptions of Israel as isolated by showcasing global solidarity.
Key Figures & Groups
- Dr. Mike Evans – Founder of Friends of Zion, organizer of the summit.
- Sylvan Adams – President of World Jewish Congress Israel, thanked Christian supporters.
- Bishop Robert Stearns – Founder and president of Eagles’ Wings, led a delegation of roughly 550 Christian leaders.
- Bar Kuperstein / Bar Kupershtein – Released hostage who spoke alongside his grandfather, Holocaust survivor Michael Kupershtein.
- Sagui Dekel Chen – Former captive from Kibbutz Nir Oz, described the community’s loss of 64 members.
- Yaniv Hayun – Israeli passenger who helped subdue an attempted hijacking on a Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 passengers.
Data & Statistics
- Participants: > 2,000 individuals from 123 nations.
- Flight incident: > 170 passengers; emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after passengers, including Hayun, overpowered a co-pilot attacker.
- Broadcast reach: > 120 million viewers worldwide.
- Nir Oz casualties: 64 community members murdered on October 7.
Official Statements & Responses
Friends of Zion founder Dr. Mike Evans said the gathering was “much more than an event” and a global message that Israel is not alone. Sylvan Adams noted that “millions of Christian friends around the world stood up and said clearly: You are not alone.” Bishop Robert Stearns urged participants to carry the stories back to their own communities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This evening is much more than an event. It is a message to the world: Israel and the Jewish people are not alone,” — Dr. Mike Evans
- “Millions of Christian friends around the world stood up and said clearly: You are not alone,” — Sylvan Adams
- “Our solidarity must be more than words,” — Bishop Robert Stearns
Why It Matters: Perception and Support
Evans argued that Israel’s international image often focuses on militaristic narratives rather than everyday life, stating that “perception is reality, not truth.” By showcasing personal testimonies and a worldwide broadcast, the summit sought to reinforce the message of broad, cross-religious support, potentially influencing public opinion and diplomatic attitudes.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Name spelling: The released hostage is referred to as Bar Kuperstein in the Jpost account and Bar Kupershtein in the Ynet report.
- Participant count: One source describes “more than 2,000” participants, while another cites “some 2,000.”
No additional future events were detailed in the sources.