{"id":28499,"date":"2025-08-06T11:52:38","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T15:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=28499"},"modified":"2025-08-06T11:52:38","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T15:52:38","slug":"speaker-mike-johnson-leads-faith-fueled-delegation-to-israel-we-pray-the-u-s-will-always-stand-with-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2025\/08\/speaker-mike-johnson-leads-faith-fueled-delegation-to-israel-we-pray-the-u-s-will-always-stand-with-israel","title":{"rendered":"Speaker Mike Johnson Leads Faith-Fueled Delegation to Israel: ‘We pray the U.S. will always stand with Israel’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Israel National News \/ YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., made his first overseas trip as speaker this week, leading a delegation of House Republicans on a meaningful visit to Israel marked by prayer, solidarity, and a reaffirmation of biblical values.<\/p>\n

Johnson’s visit, originally scheduled for June but delayed due to the 12-Day War between Israel and Iran, began Sunday in Jerusalem. There, Johnson and fellow lawmakers\u2014Reps. Michael McCaul, Nathaniel Moran, Michael Cloud of Texas, and Claudia Tenney of New York visited<\/a> the Western Wall on Tisha B’Av, the Jewish day of mourning that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples.<\/p>\n

“We’re so grateful to be in Israel, particularly on this day, recognizing the destruction of the two temples \u2026 it is such a moving time for us to be here at the Wailing Wall,” Johnson said. “We’ve offered our prayers, we’ve put our notes into the wall.”<\/p>\n

A devout Christian, Johnson emphasized the spiritual significance of the moment and expressed a prayer rooted in scripture: “Our prayer is that America will always stand with the people of Israel, and we pray for the preservation and the peace of Jerusalem. That’s what Scripture tells us to do\u2014it’s a matter of faith for us.”<\/p>\n

In the guestbook of the Western Wall, Johnson wrote a blessing: “May God continue to bless and protect the people of Israel and its greatest friend and ally, the United States.”<\/p>\n

The speaker and his delegation met with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering American support. “Thank you for your moral clarity in standing with Israel against its enemies, and for your voices in the efforts to bring all the hostages home and defeat the murderous terrorist organization Hamas,” Katz said.<\/p>\n

They also met with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to discuss the U.S.-Israel alliance, the situation in Gaza and Syria, and the importance of Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria. Sa’ar warned of rising antisemitism worldwide, pointing to controversial legislation proposed by the Irish government aimed at banning imports from Judea and Samaria.<\/p>\n

Sa’ar expressed concern over diverging U.S. and Israeli policies in Syria, particularly in light of the U.S. move to recognize the presidency of former terrorist Ahmed al-Sharaa. “We want two simple things in Syria,” he said. “The first is security \u2014 to prevent the entrenchment of jihadist forces near our border. The second is to prevent harm to the Druze minority, who are facing a humanitarian crisis in As-Suwayda.”<\/p>\n

On calls for a Palestinian state, Sa’ar was unequivocal: “We will not agree to a Palestinian state that would be a jihadist Hamas state and would leave Israel with indefensible borders.”<\/p>\n

The U.S.-Israel Education Association organized the trip. Its founder, Heather Johnston, joined the delegation, continuing the organization’s mission to strengthen ties between America’s leaders and the land of Israel.<\/p>\n

Though no public address to the Knesset was scheduled during this trip, Johnson’s message was clear: America’s bond with Israel is more than political\u2014it is spiritual.<\/p>\n

“We are here not only as lawmakers,” Johnson said, “but as believers, praying for peace, standing for truth, and honoring our shared biblical heritage.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., made his first overseas trip as speaker this week, leading a delegation of House Republicans on a meaningful visit to Israel marked by prayer, solidarity, and a reaffirmation of biblical values. Johnson’s visit, originally scheduled for June but delayed due to the 12-Day War between Israel and Iran, began Sunday…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":28502,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nSpeaker Mike Johnson Leads Faith-Fueled Delegation to Israel: 'We pray the U.S. will always stand with Israel'<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"House Speaker Mike Johnson leads heartfelt visit to Israel, reaffirming U.S. support, biblical values, and prayer for peace in Jerusalem.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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