{"id":1082,"date":"2024-05-02T21:40:34","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T01:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/?p=1082"},"modified":"2024-05-03T12:43:57","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T16:43:57","slug":"attack-survivors-to-visit-nations-churches-on-solidarity-sunday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/2024\/05\/02\/attack-survivors-to-visit-nations-churches-on-solidarity-sunday\/","title":{"rendered":"Attack Survivors to Visit Nation’s Churches on Solidarity Sunday"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not since the Holocaust has there been a more brutal attack against the Jewish people, and on May 5, two pro-Israeli organizations will introduce some of the October 7, 2023 survivors<\/a> for “Solidarity Sunday<\/strong><\/a>.”<\/p>\n

The historic event is presented by Eagles’ Wings and Moral Hearts Alliance. Together, they are introducing churches nationwide to meet some of the survivors of Hamas’ unprecedented attack against the Holy Land.<\/p>\n

\"Robert
Robert Stearns, Eagles Wings CEO, talks about Solidarity Sunday (Image credit: Video Screenshot via EaglesWings.org)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bishop Robert Stearnes<\/a>, founder of Eagles’ Wings, is leading the charge to raise awareness against genocide and unprovoked Israeli violence.<\/p>\n

The timing is as strategic as it is serendipitous, as May 5 begins Yom HaShoah or “Holocaust Remembrance Day<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

The Sanctity of Solidarity Sunday<\/h2>\n
\"Solidarity
Promotional Image Courtesy of Eagles Wings\/Moral Hearts Alliance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was a morning like any other near the Gaza Strip in Israel when the unthinkable happened–over 5,000 rockets were launched by Hamas, or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, to commence a war against the country on October 7, 2023.<\/p>\n

Known as the “October 7 Massacre<\/a><\/strong>,” the attack became the third deadliest terrorist attack in terms of fatalities in global history. To date<\/a>, approximately 1,200 Israelis have been killed, another 4,834 were injured,\u00a0 and an assumed 134 men, women, and children are still being held in Hamas captivity.<\/p>\n

In immediate response, Israel responded to key terrorism camps in Gaza where 249 Israeli soldiers have been declared killed in action. One month later, on November 7, Israel observed–and later declared<\/a>–a national day of mourning and remembrance.<\/p>\n

\"center<\/p>\n

Although there was a temporary ceasefire<\/a> between Israel and Hamas from November 24 to 30, the battle continues. During the mutual agreement, 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity. Since that day, Israeli and Gaza innocents have huddled in bomb shelters as their homes are under an umbrella of shrapnel.<\/p>\n

Bishop Stearns said in a news release that organizations and Israeli allies globally view Solidarity Sunday as “a sacred responsibility.”<\/p>\n

\u201cIsaiah 63:9 says, \u2018In all their affliction, God was afflicted.\u2019 God identifies with the suffering of the Jewish people, and as the Christian community, we must feel their suffering, too.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How to Stand in Solidarity With Them<\/h2>\n
\"Israelis
Israelis standing at the Western Wall during Sabbath (Image credit: Sander Crombach via Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The partnering organizations will sponsor seven survivors from October 7 to speak in churches across the country on May 5<\/strong>.<\/p>\n