Israel’s foreign ministry office created a new position in April with the hopes of brushing the dirt off its public image in the eyes of Christians. Now, George Deek, the special envoy to the Christian world, is becoming Israel’s poster child for international relations with the Christian West.Deek spoke on Sunday with a private group of Christian tourists and journalists visiting Israel, where he argued that Christians around the world — and especially in the West — should advocate Israeli sovereignty in the region.Israel, Deek said, “Is the only place in the Middle East where Christians like me can practice their faith without fear. It is the only place where Christians are growing in numbers.”
According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, the number of Christians in Israel jumped from roughly 36,000 in 1950 to 180,000 today. Deek attributed this increase to Israel’s tolerance of diverse worldviews and religions, including Christian, Druze, Muslim, Jewish, and more.
Deek’s background includes an appointment as ambassador to Azerbaijan, but Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar tapped him to fill his new role in April.
In a press release announcing the appointment, Sa’ar said, “The State of Israel attaches great importance to its relations with the Christian world and with its Christian friends around the world. I am confident that George … will greatly contribute to the friendship and strengthening of the ties between the State of Israel and the Christian world.”
