A delegation of 120 influential Christian women from the United States and other countries landed Thursday at Ben Gurion Airport, saying they chose to visit Israel at a time of heightened tensions and threats of war with Iran in order to deliver what they described as a clear message of support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people.
The delegation was organized by the international Christian organization Eagles’ Wings. The group said it is the largest delegation of Christian women ever to visit Israel. It includes leading evangelical women who hold senior positions in their communities and collectively influence hundreds of thousands of Christians in the United States and worldwide, including public figures, educators and academics, media professionals, nonprofit founders, a chief executive and an Arab-world social media influencer.
During their visit, the women are scheduled to meet with President Isaac Herzog and first lady Michal Herzog, and to hold a special Purim gathering with female ministers and members of Knesset from both the coalition and opposition. They are also expected to tour the site of the Nova music festival, where they will meet with a former hostage who will share her account of being abducted during the Oct. 7 attack and surviving Hamas captivity.
Eagles’ Wings has worked for nearly three decades to strengthen ties between Christians and Jews through interfaith dialogue aimed at promoting mutual understanding and peace in Jerusalem. Since Oct. 7, 2023, the organization says it has brought 24 delegations to Israel, comprising more than 40,000 Christians, including 800 pastors, who have come to learn about the country and its people.
The organization is led by Bishop Robert Stearns, a prominent pro-Israel voice in the evangelical world. “We are proud to come to Israel during these sensitive days,” Stearns said. “These courageous women have come to stand with the Jewish people, to support and strengthen them. Now more than ever, we are focused on building bridges, deepening understanding and drawing the Christian world and the Jewish people closer together.”
He added that the group is working with Christian organizations and denominations worldwide to establish what he called a “spiritual Iron Dome” of prayer surrounding Israel and the Jewish people.
Sue Tan Eyck, a member of the organization and director of the delegation, said the timing of the visit during the Purim holiday was significant. “Just as in the time of Esther, there are dark forces seeking to destroy Israel,” she said. “We are here to pray and to stand in solidarity.”