Rabbis and Pastors Unite on Capitol Hill for Israel 2026 Washington

Key Points

• More than 500 rabbis, pastors, and faith leaders from over 37 states gathered in Washington, D.C. for Israel Advocacy Day from May 4–6, 2026
• Delegations held 115 congressional meetings on Capitol Hill with lawmakers and senior staff from both political parties
• The advocacy campaign focused on three priorities: strengthening bipartisan U.S. support for Israel, confronting rising antisemitism, and advancing security protections for houses of worship
• A central feature paired rabbis and pastors together in joint delegations for meetings with congressional offices
• The event was organized jointly by Eagles’ Wings, American Christian Leaders for Israel, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA, and the Israel Allies Foundation
• Rep. Don Bacon, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and senior staff from House Republican and Democratic offices delivered closing remarks
• Dr. Susan Michael and Bishop Robert Stearns received the White Rose Society Award for courage in supporting the Jewish community
• ADL reported 6,274 antisemitic incidents in 2025—33% lower than 2024 but five times higher than a decade ago
• Physical assaults against Jews reached a 46-year high in 2025, with 203 assaults including 32 involving deadly weapons
• New Jersey synagogues are spending millions on security amid escalating threats

Washington (Evening Washington News) May 7, 2026 — More than 500 rabbis, pastors and faith leaders gathered in Washington this week for Israel Advocacy Day, holding more than 100 meetings with members of Congress and congressional staff to promote support for Israel and address rising antisemitism and threats against religious communities. The delegations held 115 congressional meetings on Capitol Hill, engaging senior staff and officials across both sides of the political aisle.

Why Did Faith Leaders Hold Over 100 Capitol Hill Meetings This Week?

As reported by the Jerusalem Post staff, the initiative reflects a growing effort among Jewish and Christian leaders to move beyond statements of support and toward coordinated advocacy on issues affecting Israel, the Jewish people, and faith communities across the United States.

Organizers said delegations met with lawmakers and senior congressional staff from both political parties during 115 meetings on Capitol Hill.

The advocacy campaign focused on three issues: strengthening bipartisan U.S. support for Israel, confronting increasing antisemitism in the United States and abroad, and advancing protections for synagogues, churches and other faith institutions facing security threats.

What Did Bishop Robert Stearns Say About Transforming Support Into Action?

“This moment calls on faith leaders and elected officials to transform words into meaningful action,”

said Bishop Robert Stearns, Founder and President of Eagles’ Wings, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

“For years, many have stood with Israel in sentiment. This initiative is about translating that support into tangible engagement – meeting with policymakers, building relationships, and advancing solutions that can be seen, measured, and felt”.

Bishop Stearns added:

“At a time of rising violence against people of faith – especially in the United States – passive concern is no longer enough. We need direct, courageous engagement to confront hatred and harassment. When pastors and rabbis stand together in visible unity, elevating our shared concerns, real change begins, locally and across the nation. And in that unity, we don’t just respond to darkness – we overcome it”.

How Does the Joint Advocacy Model Pair Rabbis and Pastors Together?

A central and defining element of Israel Advocacy Day is the joint advocacy model, pairing rabbis and pastors in unified delegations, working side by side in meetings with congressional offices, according to organizers.

This interfaith approach was intentional, as reported by Ynet News, with a central feature of the initiative pairing rabbis and pastors together in joint delegations for meetings with congressional offices.

The initiative was developed jointly by Eagles’ Wings, American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI), the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) USA, and the Israel Allies Foundation to transform interfaith solidarity into coordinated political engagement.

What Did Dr Susan Michael Say About Unity and Advocacy Impact?

“Our advocacy has much greater impact when we speak with one voice and stand in unity for truth, justice and goodness,”

said Dr. Susan Michael, president of ICEJ USA, as reported by Ynet News.

“We demonstrate that support for Israel is not just a Jewish issue – it is important to Christians and to tens of millions of Americans”.

During the event, Dr. Susan Michael and Bishop Robert Stearns received the White Rose Society Award, which honours non-Jewish individuals for support of the Jewish community during periods of rising antisemitism.

The award is presented to non-Jewish individuals who demonstrate courage and commitment to the Jewish community at a time of rising antisemitism.

What Did Jordanna McMillan Say About America’s 250th Anniversary and Israel?

Jordanna McMillan, US Director of the Israel Allies Foundation, stated:

“As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this July, this moment is about defining what the next chapter of this nation will look like. America must continue to affirm its historic relationship with Israel, and our leaders must protect the religious freedom of every American. We want the Jewish people to know that they will never walk alone. Christians across the country stand united with them against antisemitism”.

What Did Eric Fingerhut Say About the “Plague” of Antisemitism?

Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, noted:

“We have been living through a period that feels like a plague. From the October 7 attacks to just this last year – when we experienced the murder of two beautiful young people in DC, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim – and just a month ago, a terrorist attack at one of the largest synagogues in America, this is what we’ve been living through together. But today, in Washington, with Jews and Christians sitting together, holding hands, determined to lift up the light for all the people of the world, the plague has lifted”.

The two Israeli embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were shot to death outside a DC Jewish museum in May 2025, with the suspect chanting “Free, free Palestine”. Fingerhut stated in an interview:

“People who think that they’re going to address whatever issues they have about Israel through violent behaviour directed at Jewish audiences, Jewish people — this is just pure antisemitism”.

Who Attended the Gala and What Voices Were Featured?

The initiative included a gala in Washington attended by hundreds of leaders, featuring prominent voices from both communities, including Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America; Rabbi Pini Dunner of the Beverly Hills Synagogue; and senior pastors reflecting the breadth of Jewish-Christian engagement behind the initiative.

What Remarks Did Rep Don Bacon and Ambassador Yechiel Leiter Deliver?

The day concluded with remarks from Rep. Don Bacon and the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, along with senior staff from House Republican and Democratic offices. Rep.

Don Bacon (R-NE), a co-chair of the House Antisemitism Task Force, warned that anti-Israel sentiment has moved from the political fringes to a “dominant” position within the Democratic Party and warned the same could happen to his own party, as reported by Jewish Insider.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, also speaking at the event, highlighted college campuses as an epicenter of anti-Jewish hate.

The day concluded with remarks from Rep. Don Bacon, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and senior staff members from House Republican and Democratic offices.

Why Is Antisemitism Still High Despite a 33% Decrease in 2025?

According to the Anti-Defamation League’s yearly report, incidents of antisemitism in the United States declined 33% from 2024 to 2025, as reported by CNN. In 2025, ADL tracked 6,274 antisemitic incidents in the United States, which was 33% lower than the 9,354 incidents tabulated in 2024, but five times higher than a decade ago.

“While overall antisemitic incidents dropped by 33% compared to 2024, they still remain significantly higher than totals recorded years prior the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre in Israel,”

according to the ADL.

The report detailed a total of 6,274 incidents of antisemitic assaults, harassment, and vandalism throughout 2025, averaging 17 incidents per day, which is an increase from 8 incidents per day between 2020 and 2022.

Physical assaults against Jewish people reached a 46-year high in 2025, with the ADL documenting 203 assaults against Jewish individuals, an increase from 196 in 2024. Among these assaults, 32 involved deadly weapons, rising from 23 in the prior year.

How Are Synagogues Responding to Security Threats?

New Jersey synagogues are spending millions on security amid rising antisemitic threats, relying on public and private funding, as reported by NJ.com. Secured entrances, surveillance systems, reinforced windows, traffic barriers, armed personnel, and intelligence units are among the numerous protective strategies that Jewish organizations throughout New Jersey are investing millions in to strengthen their facilities against a backdrop of escalating and changing threats to synagogues.

This surge in security measures follows a notable rise in antisemitic incidents that began in October 2023, coinciding with the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. US Jewish security groups have warned of the

“most elevated and complex threat environment in recent history,”

according to a March 2026 report.

The initiative reflects a growing effort among Jewish and Christian leaders to move beyond statements of support and toward coordinated advocacy on issues affecting Israel, the Jewish people, and faith communities across the United States.

Background: How Did Israel Advocacy Day Develop and What Organizations Organised It?

Israel Advocacy Day is an annual interfaith event that brings together pastors and rabbis from more than 37 states to the nation’s capital at a time of increasing criticism of Israel on both sides of the political aisle. The event takes place from May 4–6, 2026, in Washington D.C., where pastors, rabbis, faith leaders, and advocates come together across political, denominational lines.

The initiative was organized jointly by Eagles’ Wings, American Christian Leaders for Israel, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA and the Israel Allies Foundation.

The annual interfaith event comes amid increasing criticism of Israel on both sides of the political aisle amid a burst of antisemitism around the globe triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel.

Israel Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill is described as

“a defining, history-shaping gathering where pastors, rabbis, faith leaders, and advocates come together—across political, ideological, and denominational lines”.

As antisemitism accelerates and Israel faces unprecedented political and cultural pressure, faith leaders are being called to engage—not only from the pulpit, but in the public square.

Each year, pastors and rabbis are prayerfully selected to participate in high-level briefings, strategic advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill, and interfaith relationship-building at the national level. The advocacy appointments from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM allow participants to attend scheduled appointments to express strong bipartisan, faith-based support for Israel.

Prediction: How Will This Development Affect Jewish and Christian Communities in the United States?

This development can affect Jewish and Christian communities across the United States in several significant ways. For Jewish communities, the coordinated advocacy may lead to increased federal security funding, as ADL already successfully advocated for a $30 million increase in federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding for fiscal year 2026.

Church and synagogue leaders may see strengthened interfaith relationships as the joint advocacy model demonstrates visible unity against antisemitism.

Dr. Susan Michael stated:

“Our advocacy has much greater impact when we speak with one voice and stand in unity for truth, justice and goodness”.

For congressional policymakers, the 115 meetings may influence upcoming legislation related to Israel security aid, antisemitism enforcement, and nonprofit security grants. Rep. Don Bacon’s warning that anti-Israel sentiment has moved to a “dominant” position within the Democratic Party suggests continued bipartisan pressure on these issues.

Religious institutions facing security threats may benefit from renewed focus on house-of-worship protection policies. New Jersey synagogues spending millions on security indicates the practical impact of elevated threat environments.

The event may also affect college campus policies, as Ambassador Yechiel Leiter highlighted campuses as an epicenter of anti-Jewish hate. With 6,274 antisemitic incidents recorded in 2025—five times higher than a decade ago—continued advocacy may drive institutional responses at universities.