As the gathering stood in solemn silence before three Knesset members, and a number of other Israelis, a "letter of repentance" prepared by an organization called Capitol Hill Prayer Partners, and endorsed by dozens of other Christian groups, was read aloud.

It acknowledged the "crimes committed against the Jewish people throughout history in the name of Christianity."

We have sinned against God and against you," letter continued.

"May God grant you the ability to forgive us and may we be brothers and sisters again."

Earlier, the visiting delegates -- who described themselves as Christian Zionists from the United States, Canada, England and Asian and African countries -- stood with the Israelis as a Christian singer led them in the country's national anthem, Hatikvah (The hope).

KCAC Chairman, MK Rabbi Benny Elon, told the assembly that the song's lyrics included the words, "Our hope -- the two-thousand-year-old hope -- will not be lost."

The idea of hope, he explained, came from the well-known Ezekiel passage recording the vision of the valley of dry bones.

According to the Scripture, Israel had become a heap of dried out bones whose hope was lost. "But our hope will never be lost," Elon said, moving his eyes over the auditorium.

He stressed his belief in the Bible as God's Word, all of which, he said, would be fulfilled.

The gathering organizer, Pastor David Dekker, said the Christians were "honored and very deeply humbled that the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus is here to receive such a special gathering, officially, and in Jerusalem, the capital of the holy land of Israel and the future capital for all of planet earth."

According to KCAC Director Josh Reinstein, Wednesday's event was the first spate of celebrations due to be held in the Knesset to mark the 40th anniversary of the return of Jerusalem to the Jewish people.

The events will culminate in June with the official anniversary marking the end of centuries of gentile control over the ancient Jewish city.

King David's 3000-year-old capital was restored to near-full Jewish sovereignty in the miraculous 1967 Six Day War.

Only the Temple Mount, the holiest pace in the Jewish homeland, remains under de facto Islamic control.


The full text of the Letter of Repentance read as follows:

To the people of Israel,

On behalf of millions of Christians who love Israel and pray for her, we would like to repent before you for crimes committed against the Jewish people throughout history in the name of "Christianity." We have sinned against G-d and against you. We have not lived according to the mandate given to us by the scriptures; to love G-d with all of our hearts, and to love our fellow man as we love ourselves. May G-d grant you the ability to forgive us and may we be brothers and sisters again.

For to you we owe much. Through you G-d gave us the Holy Scriptures of the Law and the Prophets and the revelation of the one true G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is because of the truth of the Holy Scriptures that we have a heritage, a destiny, a hope and a compass for living.

Please know that there will always be a strong number of Christians who love Israel and will stand with her and "seek the peace of Jerusalem."

What a treasure you are in the sight of our G-d! You are His chosen -- the "apple of His eye."

"The L-rd bless you and keep you; The L-rd make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The L-rd lift up His countenance upon you, and give you PEACE." (Numbers 6:24-26)