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Evangelical Christians Head to Jerusalem to Rally Behind Israel

  • They pump more than $500m into Israel economy, charity a year
  • ‘We have no better friends in the world,’ Netanyahu declares
Evangelical Christian pilgrims march during the annual Jerusalem Parade on Oct. 20, 2016 in the streets of Jerusalem, to mark the Jewish holiday of Sukkot (Tabernacles) and to express solidarity with Israel.

Evangelical Christian pilgrims march during the annual Jerusalem Parade on Oct. 20, 2016 in the streets of Jerusalem, to mark the Jewish holiday of Sukkot (Tabernacles) and to express solidarity with Israel.

Photographer: AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images
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As the Jewish High Holiday season moves in, Israel is getting set to welcome a throng of religious visitors -- evangelical Christians.

Thousands will pour in from more than 80 countries to the streets of Jerusalem in early October for an annual march celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Jewish festival of Sukkot. As they follow in the footsteps of Jesus, whose holiday visit to the city is described in the Book of John, they’ll also be rallying behind the modern state of Israel.