Three GOP presidential hopefuls to address support for Israel at Iowa City forum

IOWA CITY - Three Republican presidential hopefuls will speak at a forum organized to mobilize faith-based political advocacy for U.S. support for Israel, including recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

'In these times, our support is critical,” according to Pastor Royce Phillips of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Coralville, one of the organizers of Jerusalem Call at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3980 Poweshiek St. SE in Iowa City.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum have accepted the invitation extended to all of the GOP and Democratic candidates. Democrats, Phillips said, are 'kind of occupied” with the first Democratic National Committee-sanctioned debate at 7:30 p.m.tonight.

The premise of the Jerusalem Call, which is presented by Israel Allies Foundation that works with Congress and parliaments around the world to mobilize political support for Israel based on Judeo-Christian values, is that 'now, more than ever, Israel needs Christians ... (and) America must stand with Israel during these perilous times.”

'It seems like it is wavering, and we think it needs to be maintained,” Phillips said.

One of the specific issues likely to be addressed is recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, he said. Although in 1995 and 2002 Congress directed the U.S. embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, presidents repeatedly have issued waivers.

It's more than a political football, Phillips said. Jerusalem has been the self-declared capital of Jewish people for more than 3,000 years, he said. However, Islam and Judaism also claim Jerusalem as their holy city.

'It's clearly political when we talk foreign affairs, but there clearly is a faith-based portion in decision-making” that should not be ignored, Phillips said. 'I think it's offensive to remove faith from (public) life. This is an important issue where the faith component comes in. Bible-oriented people will have sense of empathy for Israel.”

'That's not to say Israel makes all the right decisions,” Phillips said. 'Neither does U.S.”

Phillips contends 'people who have a basis of faith in Judeo-Christian mind-set are more empathetic,” but he doesn't think interest and concern for Israel is limited to conservative Christians. There's widespread support for democracy in the region and many people recognize the danger Israel is in, he said.

That Israel doesn't include the participation of Jewish temples, however.

Conservative Christian churches and candidates 'have their own agenda with Israel,” Rabbi Todd Thalblum of Temple Judah in Cedar Rapids said. 'That's not a bad thing. They stand for Israel for their own religious reasons.”

To RSVP, contact Phillips at pastor@tbciowa.org.