Thousands of Christians are gathering in Washington today to demand increased U.S. support for Israel. Rev. John Hagee, founder and national chairman of Christians United for Israel, says that after an opening banquet tonight, the group’s members are to fan out on Capitol Hill tomorrow to lobby Congress on Israel’s behalf. Hagee says that is crucial now, as the Jewish state fights terrorists in Lebanon and Gaza and faces a growing threat of nuclear annihilation from Iran. He says Christians “have a Bible mandate to support Israel and the Jewish people.” Meanwhile, Orthodox Jews at hundreds of synagogues across the United States and Canada plan to unite in prayers for Israel Wednesday evening. The executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, says that at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, Jews will join in praying and studying the Psalms. Weinreb says the call to simultaneous worship adds a spiritual dimension to the political and material support that North American Jews are providing Israel.

- AP