Thousands Gather in Jerusalem for Global October 7 Solidarity Event
Christian and Jewish leaders from 123 countries gathered in Jerusalem for the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit, commemorating three years since the October 7 attacks with testimony from released hostages and bereaved families.
Newsnibs Staff
- 2026-10-10
- Updated 4:53 PM UTC
(Jerusalem, Israel)
Christian and Jewish leaders gathered at Jerusalem's Southern Wall on October 9 for the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit, marking three years since the October 7 attacks with testimony from released hostages and bereaved families. The summit was led by Friends of Zion founder Dr. Mike Evans in cooperation with Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and organizers said the event's 24-hour international broadcast reached more than 120 million viewers across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Latin America.
Organizers said the gathering drew Christian leaders and influencers from 123 countries, a figure one wire report tied to that group specifically; a separate account put the total attendance at more than 2,000, describing that count as leaders, diplomats, media representatives and community figures. The event was hosted by Australian journalist Erin Molan and actor Nate Buzolic.
Several former hostages spoke about their captivity and return. Bar Kuperstein, abducted from the Nova music festival, described two years in captivity. Sagui Dekel Chen was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where 64 people were murdered on October 7, 2023. Agam Berger and Evyatar David also shared accounts of survival and rebuilding since their release; Berger performed "Hallelujah" on stage during the summit.
Galit Waldman spoke about her son, Major Ariel Ben Moshe, who was killed protecting children at Kibbutz Be'eri during the attacks.
Evans presented the summit's "Here Am I" award to Yaniv Hayun, an Israeli passenger credited with helping stop a hijacking attempt aboard a Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 passengers. The flight made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Sylvan Adams, president of World Jewish Congress Israel, thanked Christian communities for their support.
Summit-related activities included a meeting with President Isaac Herzog, a visit to Yad Vashem and commemorations at the Nova festival site.
Photo by Sander Crombach on Unsplash
