International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Rallies Israel's Supporters to Restore Dilapidated Bomb Shelters Along 'Confrontation Line'
by Staff
July 13, 2007
Jerusalem, Israel (christiansunite.com) - At the request of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and as the threat of war with Israel's enemies looms, The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has stepped up efforts to restore and provide supplies for 2,523 private bomb shelters along the "Confrontation Line" in northern Israel and in Sderot, where two civilians were killed in recent rocket attacks. Last summer during the Second Lebanon War, nearly 1,000,000 Israeli citizens were driven from their homes and forced into old, dilapidated and ill-equipped bomb shelters for extended periods.The Israeli government has acknowledged that it cannot afford the necessary repair and upgrade of private bomb shelters, due to its costly investment in military and security operations that shield its people on all sides. In response, The Fellowship has embarked on raising $11.5 million to improve the living conditions of private bomb shelters, the majority of which are located in poor areas which lack the financial means to do this work. Already, calls for support placed in national television commercials, monthly newsletters and on its website, www.ifcj.org, have begun to appeal to The Fellowship's mostly U.S. evangelical Christian supporters, who, since 1983, have donated nearly $400 million for projects in Israel and to assist Jewish people throughout the world. The Fellowship has headquarters in Chicago, IL and Jerusalem, Israel.
"The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has responded to the challenge and request of the Prime Minister and will take the lead in this important national project to protect the people of Israel," said Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, The Fellowship's president and founder, who also serves as Israel's Goodwill Ambassador. "In this difficult hour, we are again counting on Israel's Christian friends to stand with her and provide support that will increase the security and well-being of Israel's people."
Funds donated to improve the living conditions inside the emergency shelters are earmarked specifically for much-needed electricity and plumbing, as well as for overdue repairs to floors, ceilings, bathrooms, and major appliances. In addition, supplies, like beds, furniture, fans, first-aid kits, gas masks, food and hygiene products, will be purchased and placed inside the shelters.
Israeli intelligence continues to warn that her enemies on several fronts are regrouping and preparing to make war. In recent weeks, Palestinian terrorist groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have fired more than 300 rockets at Sderot, killing two people and bringing life to a virtual standstill there. Reports indicate that Iranian-backed Hezbollah has used the ceasefire that ended last year's war to fully re-arm in preparation for another attack. Recently, rockets were launched from Lebanon at Israeli civilian targets. Also, Syria has positioned on Israel's border record numbers of troops, tanks and missiles, and many believe a surprise attack is possible later this summer. Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has continued his vicious threats against the Jewish state, saying "the countdown button for the destruction of the Zionist regime has been pushed...By God's will, we will witness the destruction of this regime in the near future."
For more information about The Fellowship's campaign to help protect the people of Israel, visit www.ifcj.org.
Founded by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein in 1983, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) has a dual mission to promote understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews and to build broad support for Israel and Jewish people around the world.
