The speech of Pastor Victor Styrsky, given on Holocaust Remembrance Day last month, is now surfacing on Israeli social media and is touching the hearts of many.
Styrsky spoke on behalf of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), founded by John Hagee in 2006. CUFI claims 2.5 million members across the United States is probably the most active and vocal pro-Israel Christian organization in the world today. CUFI’s unambiguous commitment to Israel stands in sharp contrast to the growing number of Christians whose attitude towards Israel is increasingly crossing the line between criticism and anti-Semitism.
CUFI affirms, what up until a decade or so ago, was considered a mainstream Protestant position on Israel. “The Jewish people,” says CUFI, “have a right to live in their ancient land of Israel, and that the modern State of Israel is the fulfillment of this historic right.” CUFI also reaffirms, what was the Christian norm up until a few years ago, that “there is no excuse for acts of terrorism against Israel.” CUFI goes further than just pro-Israel theological statements. It pledges “to stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel and to speak out on their behalf whenever and wherever necessary until the attacks stop and they are finally living in peace and security with their neighbors.”
During his emotional speech, moved to tears himself, Styrsky compared Christians identifying with and participating in BDS type of activities (Boycott Divestment and Sanctions) to WWII European Christians who remained untouched by the suffering of the Jewish people. In the wake of “Kristal Nacht”, he reminded listeners, the Nazis made three decisions concerning the violence and destruction of that night: The Jews will be held responsible for the pogrom, Insurance compensations owed to Jews will be confiscated by the state and the Jewish community will be forced to pay a heavy fine of billions of Deutsch Marks for instigating “Kristal Nacht.” A similar decision was made by the European Union 77 years after that event, when Israel is being blamed for “Palestinian pogroms” and the Jewish nation should be financially penalized for instigating the unrest by boycotting Israeli goods.
“Certain Christians,” he said, “are joining the demand to boycott Jewish products. These Christians,” he continued, “are the direct ideological decedents of yesterday’s Christians whose voices were silence and their doors closed to the plight of the Jews during the Holocaust.” Denouncing these types of Christians he went on to promise that CUFI’s constituency will do their utmost to help build Israel’s future together with the Jews.
Responses to this video went from “Wow. Awesome” to “hair-raising … there is still love in this world … brother Victor … allow me to wash your hands.”
Story originally appeared at Israel Today Magazine by Tsvi Sadan.
