The Israeli government’s 4th Annual Christian Media Summit was held this evening, Sunday October 18, at the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem.
For the first time ever, the event was held virtually, with its program broadcast to millions of viewers all around the world. Among the speakers of the Summit were U.S. Ambassador David Friedman, Prime Minister of Israel Binyamin Netanyahu, and President of Israel Reuven Rivlin.
Dr. Mike Evans, the founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center, had announced that during the summit the prestigious Friends of Zion Award would be presented to eleven world leaders, including two kings, one prime minister, one sultan, one crown prince, and six presidents.
The awardees at Sunday's event included:
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain
King Mohammed VI of Morocco
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman
President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia
President Klaus Iohannis of Romania
President Mario Abdo Benítez of Paraguay
President of Miloš Zeman of Czech Republic
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda
President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi
According to Dr. Evans: “All these Presidents will move their Embassies to Jerusalem and all the Muslim leaders will make peace with Israel in time.”
U.S. Ambassador David Friedman stated “There is a universal benefit for people to make peace with each other, it is perhaps the highest form of human relations, to live together in peace”.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said “Israel has no better friends than our Christian friends around the world… I think this (Abraham Accords) is a remarkable hinge of history; this marks for the first time the full acceptance of Israel's legitimacy here.”
President of Israel Reuven Rivlin stated “In our hearts we feel closer than ever. This has been a year of peace. The historic Abraham Accord can provide a model of peaceful coexistence between all people and religions in our region and around the world. Israel will continue to do all that is necessary to seek peace with all our neighbors.”
Dr. Evans, who was part of a delegation which met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Saudi Arabia said, “There is no doubt in my mind who is quietly driving the amazing peace initiatives in the Gulf region. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told our group the Palestinians can solve their problem by copying Israel . He also said educating children to hate Jews must stop, and that the world has zero tolerance for terror being used to achieve political objectives.” Evans stated that he had met with over 70 World leaders and “I can say the brightest, most articulate, and most forward thinking leader is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”
The Friends of Zion Award was commissioned by Israel’s 9th President, the late Shimon Peres, who also served as the International Chairman of the FOZ Heritage Center. This award has been given to world leaders who have stood by and supported the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Its previous recipients include: President of the United States Donald Trump, Former U.S. President George W. Bush, Prince Albert II of Monaco, President Salome Zourabishvili of Georgia, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and many others.