The Inspiring Highlights of CUFI’s 20th Annual Washington, D.C. Summit

The Lord’s timing in orchestrating CUFI’s 20th annual Washington Summit was perfect.

The leadership of CUFI UK were pleased to join with Christians from across the United States in declaring with one voice that Israel and the Jewish people are not alone!

The weeks leading to the 2025 Washington Summit witnessed America and Israel unite to cripple the Islamic Regime of Iran. Their bold actions ensure a safer world.

The 20th Annual Washington Summit organized by Christians United for Israel (CUFI) concluded with powerful calls for continued American support of Israel and urgent action to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. The event, which took place on July 1st, 2024, featured a diverse array of speakers who emphasized both Israel’s resilience and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Addressing the Hostage Crisis with Compassion and Urgency

CUFI Founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee delivered remarks that balanced celebration of Israel’s military achievements with acknowledgment of ongoing suffering. Speaking to summit attendees, Hagee stated, “Our joy is temperate with the knowledge that despite all of these military feats recently, Israel has 50 hostages that have not been returned. I want those people to know we have not forgotten you.”

This message of remembrance and commitment resonated throughout the summit, highlighting the human cost of the conflict and the need for continued advocacy efforts. The acknowledgment of both military success and humanitarian concerns demonstrates the nuanced approach many Israel supporters are taking as the situation continues to evolve.

International Perspectives on Israel’s Resilience

The summit featured international voices, including insights from retired British Army Commander Colonel Richard Kemp, who offered perspective on Israel’s strategic position following recent conflicts. Kemp observed that “Israel will emerge from this conflict stronger than it went in. Israel now recognizes who its friends and enemies are and has made itself more resilient, more self-sufficient, less dependent on other people’s support from outside the country.”

This assessment reflects a broader discussion about Israel’s evolving international relationships and its capacity for self-defense. The commentary suggests that recent challenges have strengthened Israel’s resolve and strategic independence, themes that resonated with summit attendees focused on long-term support strategies.

Personal Testimonies from Former Hostages

Among the most compelling moments of the summit was the testimony from Yair Horn, a released Israeli hostage who spoke about his experience and the urgency of securing freedom for those still in captivity. Horn emphasized the critical nature of continued advocacy, stating, “Together with can be the reason that every hostage returns home. Time is running out and what we do together now can be the difference between despair and hope.”

Horn’s personal account brought immediate human dimension to policy discussions, reminding attendees that behind diplomatic negotiations are real people whose lives hang in the balance. His presence at the summit, alongside his brother Eitan who remains in Hamas captivity, underscored the personal stakes involved in ongoing advocacy efforts.

Building Bridges Through Informed Advocacy

The summit’s diverse speaker lineup reflected CUFI’s commitment to bringing together voices from various backgrounds and expertise areas. This approach serves multiple purposes in building effective advocacy coalitions. When advocates understand different perspectives on Israel’s situation, they can engage more effectively with their own communities and elected representatives.

The educational component of the summit was particularly significant, as attendees received insights from military experts, diplomatic figures, and personal testimonies. This multi-faceted approach helps participants develop more nuanced understanding of complex geopolitical issues, enabling them to become more effective advocates in their home communities.

The Role of Faith Communities in International Advocacy

CUFI’s approach demonstrates how faith-based organizations can play meaningful roles in international advocacy while maintaining focus on humanitarian concerns. The organization’s emphasis on both spiritual engagement and practical action creates a framework that appeals to diverse constituencies within Christian communities.

The summit’s combination of prayer, education, and calls to action illustrates how religious conviction can translate into concrete political engagement. This model has implications beyond Israel advocacy, showing how faith communities can organize around international issues while maintaining their spiritual foundations.

Looking Forward: Sustaining Long-term Advocacy

As summit attendees return to their communities, the challenge becomes translating inspiration into sustained action. The event’s organizers emphasized that effective advocacy requires ongoing engagement rather than periodic mobilization. This long-term perspective acknowledges that complex international issues require persistent attention and evolving strategies.

The summit’s conclusion serves as a launching point for continued advocacy efforts, with participants equipped with both emotional motivation and practical knowledge to engage their representatives and communities. The emphasis on individual responsibility for advocacy reflects a grassroots approach to international support that extends beyond traditional diplomatic channels.

Conclusion

The 20th Annual CUFI Washington Summit demonstrated the power of bringing together diverse voices around shared commitments to Israel’s security and the humanitarian imperative of hostage release. Through personal testimonies, expert analysis, and calls to action, the event provided both inspiration and practical guidance for ongoing advocacy efforts.

As the international community continues to grapple with the complexities of Middle Eastern conflicts, events like this summit play important roles in maintaining public awareness and political engagement. The combination of celebration and concern, of strategic analysis and human compassion, reflected in the summit’s proceedings offers a model for how advocacy organizations can address complex international issues while maintaining focus on both security and humanitarian concerns.

The lasting impact of this summit will be measured not just in the immediate inspiration it provided to attendees, but in the sustained advocacy efforts that emerge from the commitments made and renewed in Washington. As participants return to their communities, they carry with them both the responsibility and the tools necessary to continue advocating for Israel’s security and the swift return of all hostages to their families.

Watch the CUFI Summit recap below.

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