Christian leaders ask forgiveness over Norway's attitude, pledge support for Israel, perhaps in new Christian political party.
Pastor Terje Ligerod, head of the Norwegian delegation of roughly 40 Christian leaders visiting Israel this week, told Arutz Sheva that his group came to ask forgiveness for Norway's antagonism towards Jews, and to pledge support for the Jewish state.
Ligerod noted "we believe we are called as a nation to be an ally and to support Israel, and we as leaders want to work for change in our country, and for a repentance among the Christians in our country, we want to support Israel."
The delegation of Christian leaders from all over Norway, which includes representatives of Norway's original ethnic group, the Sami, presented a 7 page declaration highlighting some of the things they repent for.
The declaration reads "forgive us Israel, as a nation, for the Oslo agreement, dividing up Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel); for not moving our embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel's eternal undivided capital city Jerusalem," as well as not standing up to defend Israel in a world of increasing hostility, including hostility from Norwegian politicians and media.
Ligerod emphasized "we want to stand on the biblical basis, the word of G-d, stating very clearly that the Jews are the chosen people of G-d, and that Eretz Yisrael belongs to the Jews."
The visit was a first step in new relations according to Josh Reinstein, Director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus.
Reinstein noted that while Norway has been antagonistic as a nation, the visit comes "on the heels of a new election where a christian political party has been elected to parliament." He predicted the events may herald the beginning of new relations, adding that faith based diplomacy is the "most influential weapon we have in the diplomatic cache today."
MK Rabbi Dov Lipman (Yesh Atid) a member of the Knesset Christian Caucus, commented that the delegation is "very sincere" and "troubled by what they know to be their faith's past."
In meeting the leaders, Lipman said there was no lingering hard feelings from the Jewish side, just a desire to look to the future and work together.
By Yoni Kempinski, Ari Yashar
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/
