Source: BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5193092.stm
On July 19, 2006 BBC News reported, "A week into one of the most severe crises the Middle East has seen in years, Israel is getting an influx of support from an unusual source. More than 3,400 evangelical Christians have arrived in Washington to lobby lawmakers as part of the first annual summit of Christians United for Israel. Delegates have come from all 50 states and have 280 meetings on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Pastor John Hagee said. Pastor Hagee, the main organiser, said the event was the first of its kind. 'For the first time in the history of Christianity in America, Christians will go to the Hill to support Israel as Christians,' he said. The event was planned months ago, and is not a direct response to the ongoing violence in the region. But the military conflict 'certainly makes our meeting more significant,' Pastor Hagee said. The thousands of Christians in Washington - who came and are staying at their own expense - will be urging the US government 'not to restrain Israel in any way in the pursuit of Hamas and Hezbollah', he said. 'We want our Congress to make sure that not one dime of American money goes to support Hamas and Hezbollah or the enemies of Israel.'"