More than 1,000 Christian leaders and influencers from 117 countries arrived in Israel Monday for the second annual Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit to commemorate the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and hear firsthand accounts from hostages, survivors, and families of victims.

Miss Universe Israel 2025 Melanie Shiraz, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, and other officials will participate in the event, which was organized by Christian evangelical Mike Evans.

Evans said the purpose of the summit is for Christians to “see Israel for themselves, hear directly from those whose lives were changed forever on October 7,” when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

“We are bringing together a new generation of leaders alongside experienced voices to bear witness, to remember and to strengthen the bonds between Israel and Christian communities around the world,” he said.

Several hundred of the participants are ages 18 to 29, which Shiraz said is significant because they are the next generation of influencers on social media.

“This is the generation forming its understanding of Israel right now, often through social media, where the loudest or most viral narrative can easily become the dominant one,” she said.

“Giving young people the opportunity to come here, meet Israelis, experience the country for themselves and form their own opinions is incredibly powerful.”

Shiraz also stressed the importance of meeting real Israelis to counteract the dehumanization taking place in the world today.

“When people meet Israelis, hear our stories and experience this country for themselves, Israel stops being an abstract headline and becomes something deeply personal,” she said. “They are coming to listen, to witness, to meet Israelis and to experience this country for themselves.”

The main event, which will be attended by approximately 2,000 people, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7, and will feature former hostages Agam Berger, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Bar Kupershtein, and Evyatar David, as well as wounded soldiers, victims’ families, Christian and Jewish leaders, and Israeli officials. After the conference, Friends of Zion participants will serve as ambassadors to their communities.

Israeli Ambassador George Deek, Israel’s special envoy to the Christian world, said the gathering “carries a powerful message: Israel does not stand alone.”

“The bond between Israel and Christians around the world must be built on truth, courage, and a shared determination to confront antisemitism and hatred wherever they appear,” he said.