WATCH: 'Our fight is just,' Knesset Speaker Ohana tells special Day of Prayer and Support for Israel event

The Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast held a special Day of Prayer and Support for Israel at the Knesset in Jerusalem last Wednesday, Nov. 29 where Israel's Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana was invited to speak.

The theme of the event – United for Victory – brought together Israeli Members of Knesset, Evangelical Christians and Jewish leaders and rabbis to pray for the State of Israel and its citizens, to honor and show support for Israel Defense Forces troops and to call for the return of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The call for unified prayer for Israel was initiated by Knesset Member Tatiana Mazarsky of the Yesh Atid party, who has attended JPB events in the past.

“On October 7th, life ended for many Israelis and life changed for all Israelis. If you have seen the footage from the October 7th massacre filmed by Hamas and presented by the IDF, you know the Israelis encountered pure evil. And what's even worse, the people that committed these atrocities did it with pure joy and a sense of pride,” Ohana, who spoke at the 2023 Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in June, began.

During his speech, Ohana recounted the events of that morning Israelis now refer to as the “Black Shabbat” calling the footage of the atrocities committed by Hamas on that day, “just the tip of the iceberg.”

“That morning began with a series of coordinated attacks initiated by Hamas terrorist organization. They were joined by other Palestinian terrorist organizations, as well as unaffiliated Gaza residents who rushed in – carrying knives, cleavers, hammers and other deadly instruments – as soon as they realized that the border was wide open and that the Jewish communities are exposed.”

Ohana described the aftermath of the day, including the more than 1,200 victims of “cold-blooded murder,” the thousands more severely injured and more than “230 Israelis kidnapped to Gaza.”

“The survival of the people of Israel over the years depended on the bravery of the IDF soldiers. They risked their lives for this country and for these people,” he continued.

“Our forces are striking Hamas decisively. Terrorists have been killed, including senior commanders, and thousands of targets have been attacked, including facilities, weaponry and terror bases. The terrorists will have nowhere to hide.”

“Our fight is just,” he stated emphatically. “And we will not stop until we eliminate Hamas and return all the hostages to their families. Israel is committed to bringing them back home.”

Reminding the JPB attendees of the prayer meeting in the spring, Ohana said, “We shared a prayer for unity and solidarity. We are united. We are praying here today for our brave soldiers and for their success.”

“We also need your actions,” he urged. “Your influence around the world to help us bring all the hostages back and to win this war. Coming here in our darkest hour is something we greatly appreciate. A great demonstration of solidarity, friendship and brotherhood.”

Thanking Mazarsky for her initiative to call for the special Day of Prayer, the speaker of the Knesset concluded: “Standing together side by side, especially in times like these, will help us all build a better future.”

In addition to the Ohana, the gathering was addressed by other current and former Knesset members, the Director of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast (JPB) Albert Veksler, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem President Jürgen Bühler,

ALL ISRAEL NEWS Editor-in-Chief Joel C. Rosenberg, U.S. Members of Congress, including a recorded message by U.S. House Representative Michael Cloud (R-TX), and recently-elected Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson.

Back in September, at the height of the judicial reform debate in Israel, Ohana addressed the Knesset during a press briefing regarding the upcoming ruling to nullify the coalition government’s Reasonableness Law.

“Now, we are facing a new and dangerous junction, which could plunge us into the abyss,” he said in his remarks and warned that  “the Knesset won’t meekly accept being trampled.”

“Israel is at a crossroads, and the need to balance the branches of government is becoming clearer than ever,” he warned.

“I suggest to the court that I respect very much, and have always respected - recognize also the limitations of your power, recognize that in a democracy no authority is omnipotent.”