"I have been informed that the Forum does not fall within the scope of the Public Security Ministry. Therefore, I have no choice but to discontinue the activity of the Forum as part of that ministry," said Dr. Mordechai (Moti) Zaken, head of Israel's Desk of Minorities Affairs.

Zaken vowed to do his best to continue to work with "Christian leaders in Israel and abroad to foster Israeli-Christian friendship."

The forum's last meeting was held December 3, 2018, and was devoted to improving the relationship between Christian organizations in Israel and the security wing of Israel's aviation authority. Israel agreed to allow Christian organizations to appoint airport trustees to help ease the experience of Christians departing the country.

Christian leaders are disappointed that productive meetings like this one will no longer be facilitated by the Government Christian Forum.

"I am Christian who has lived in Israel for 39 years. Over these many years I have worked to strengthen the relations between the State and the Christian community locally and abroad. In my time here, I have found a lot of local enthusiasm for Christian support of Israel but very few officials who are willing to help our community in a practical way," David Pileggi, Rector Christ Church Jerusalem, said in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Pileggi lauded Zaken's leadership and the forum. "Only Dr. Moti Zaken, the head the Minority Affairs desk at the Ministry of Public Security has been consistently helpful ... This group meets to find practical solutions to the problems of the evangelical community here in Israel, issues such as visas, harassment at the airport, finding ways for young Christians to serve in the IDF and more. Unfortunately, this Forum has been terminated by the Ministry of Public security leaving us in the Christian community no real address to take our problems. Those who have terminated this important venue have little idea of the consequences," he continued.

Pileggi urged Netanyahu to "not only reestablish the Forum but to give it your full endorsement."

Chuck Kopp, Pastor Emeritus of Narkiss Street Congregation and former Chair of the Evangelical Alliance Israel has lived in Israel for more than fifty years. He told CBN News, "I've been happy to see improved relations with Israel over the years but saddened to know about this negative step that isolates millions of Evangelicals around the world who look to Jerusalem as their spiritual home. We want communion and connection to the government of Israel and the efforts of Dr. Moti Zaken, Phd. have helped in countless ways to foster this relationship. We have treasured our time together and to have the rug pulled out from under him at this time is very tragic. Dr. Zaken is wise, approachable and has led the Government Christian Alliance with great courage for the past five years to our immense satisfaction because he is a man of action and not just talk. We call on the government to restore Dr. Zaken to this vital service to the Christian community."

The announcement to terminate the Government Christian Forum comes at a time when many other Israeli and Jewish organizations have built bridges to Christians locally and worldwide. In 2004, Yuri Stern founded the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC) that is now under the leadership of Member of Knesset Robert Illatov and Josh Reinstein. KCAC has established branches around the world with Christian parliamentarians who advocate on behalf of Israel. It also spawned the Jerusalem Pray Breakfast that has brought hundreds of Christian leaders to Jerusalem.

In 2006, Israel's Holocaust Memorial established Christian Friends of Yad Vashem and the rescue service Magen David Adom formed its branch of Christian Friends of MDA. The Jewish Agency also has its own outreach to the Christian world.

At last year's second annual Christian Media Summit, Prime Minister Netanyahu even announced he would be looking to appoint an Israeli liaison to the evangelical world. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Give Him 15: Mercy is Our New Currency

A Little Baby Girl Is Rescued from a Dumpster in Texas. A Dumpster

Nonprofit Asks Feds to Investigate Schools' 'Gender-Affirming Care' Practices

Latest Move by the President to Prevent a Government Shutdown Is Brilliant

Trump Closes Loophole Allowing Illegal Aliens to Drive Commercial Trucks After Tragic Accidents

Trump's Administration Finds 25,000 Missing Migrant Children

Autism, What We Know: Science Backs Up President Trump's Statements

Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted by Grand Jury for Obstruction in Russia Hoax Investigation

The Spiritual Battle is REAL!: Sean McDowell's Son Encounters a 'Demon' While Evangelizing in NYC

3 Suspects Arrested after Houston Youth Baseball Coach Shot during Pregame Prayer With Kids

Explosive Clash: Dearborn Mayor Attacks Resident Who Objected to Terrorist Street Naming

Economy: Second Quarter GDP Revised Up – Again – to Best Quarter Since 2023

DOGE Helped Uncover the Biggest Health Care Heist in American History

Charlie's TPUSA Campus Tours Continue as Virginia Tech Venue Fills to Max Capacity

Justice Department Seeks to Indict Former FBI Director James Comey before Looming Deadline, for Allegedly Lying to Congress

What Happens When You 'Pause' Your Child's Puberty? The Answer Is Even More Devastating Than You'd Think

Texas Bans Gender-Confused People from Using Opposite-Sex Facilities in Public Schools, Prisons

NBC Forced to Retract Claim that ICE Used 5-Year-Old Autistic Girl as 'Bait'; In Reality, Her Criminal Alien Father Abandoned Her in a Car and Agents Rescued the Child

President Trump Urges UN to Protect 'The Most Persecuted Religion on the Planet Today: Christianity'

Secret Service Finds, Dismantles Massive 'Telecommunications Threat' Near UN General Assembly in New York