More Than 2,000 Leaders Gather in Jerusalem for Global Solidarity Event

JERUSALEM, Oct. 9, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- More than 2,000 Christian and Jewish leaders, influencers, diplomats, media representatives, and community leaders from 123 countries gathered in Jerusalem for a major international event marking three years since October 7. The gathering, organized by Friends of Zion founder Dr. Mike Evans and held at the Southern Wall, was the centerpiece of the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit, in cooperation with Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The event brought together a diverse array of participants, including released hostages, bereaved families, wounded Israelis, ambassadors, and diplomats. Hosted by Australian journalist Erin Molan and actor and Israel advocate Nate Buzolic, the evening placed the personal stories of October 7 at the center of the gathering. Among the most powerful moments was the appearance of Bar Kuperstein, a released hostage who came to the stage with his grandfather, Michael Kuperstein, a Holocaust survivor. Bar, who was abducted from the Nova music festival and spent two years in captivity, spoke about his experience and the determination that helped him survive. His grandfather's presence underscored the deep personal connection between two generations and two defining moments in Jewish history.

Sagui Dekel Chen, another released hostage, spoke through tears about returning to the community he once called home. He described the devastation he witnessed and the 64 members of Nir Oz who were murdered on October 7. Despite the loss of his community and the trauma of captivity, Dekel Chen told the international audience that the people of Nir Oz never lost hope and that hope remains at the heart of their struggle to rebuild. Released hostages Agam Berger and Evyatar David also addressed the audience, sharing stories of captivity, loss, survival, and rebuilding. Berger performed "Hallelujah" on stage, creating one of the evening's most emotional moments.

The stories of those who were lost were equally central to the gathering. Galit Waldman, mother of Major Ariel Ben Moshe, spoke about her son, a senior officer in an elite commando unit who fought terrorists in the Re'im area before continuing to Kibbutz Be'eri. There, he entered the community to protect and rescue 14-year-old children. He was shot while fighting to save them and ultimately paid with his life. Waldman delivered a message of resilience to the international audience, emphasizing that despite the loss and the pain, Israel continues to stand.

Another powerful moment came when Evans presented the Friends of Zion "Here Am I" Award to Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun, who was among the passengers who helped stop an attempted hijacking aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv just days before the Jerusalem gathering. After the co-pilot attacked the captain and the aircraft went into a steep dive, Hayun and other passengers rushed toward the cockpit and helped overpower the attacker. Hayun also briefly took hold of the aircraft controls as the plane was being brought back under control. The flight, carrying more than 170 passengers, eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Hayun's story of courage under extreme circumstances became one of the evening's most striking reminders of the instinct to protect others in moments of danger.

The event highlighted the strength of Christian solidarity with Israel. Sylvan Adams, President of the World Jewish Congress Israel, thanked Christian communities around the world for standing with Israel and the Jewish people since October 7.

For Evans, the gathering represented a message that extended far beyond Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem gathering was part of a 24-hour international broadcast connecting Jerusalem with communities supporting Israel across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Latin America. According to the organizers, the broadcast has already reached more than 120 million viewers worldwide, taking the message of solidarity far beyond the thousands who gathered in Jerusalem.