A billboard campaign expressing gratitude to both God and U.S. President Donald Trump was launched across Israel on Thursday, according to an announcement from the Jerusalem-based Friends of Zion Heritage Center.
Organization spokesperson Tal Marom stated that the campaign was initiated by Dr. Mike Evans, the founder of the group and a prominent evangelical Christian supporter of Israel. Evans described the initiative as a way to give thanks for what he characterized as a pivotal moment in the Middle East, set against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The billboards feature a photograph of the U.S. president and have been placed along major highways and at central intersections in Israel's two largest cities, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The campaign follows a long-standing relationship between Evans and Trump. In December 2017, Evans presented Trump with the Friends of Zion Award in recognition of his support for Israel. According to Marom, the award was commissioned by the late former Israeli President Shimon Peres and has been bestowed upon 28 world leaders for their friendship toward the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
In a statement circulated by PR Newswire, Evans likened recent regional developments to a "Purim miracle," referencing the biblical story of the Jewish people's salvation in ancient Persia. "The courage and leadership shown by President Trump, combined with the faith of millions who believe in God's protection over Israel, are changing the course of history in the Middle East," Evans said. He added that many observers believe current events in Iran could potentially lead to greater freedom for the Persian people and increased security for Israelis.
Evans arrived in Israel on February 26, two days prior to the commencement of current hostilities, with the stated goal of showing solidarity with Israelis and documenting the situation for the global evangelical community. Marom noted that Evans was the only major evangelical leader to arrive in the country before the recent joint US-Israeli operations began.
During his visit, Evans traveled with a professional camera crew to areas affected by the conflict, including missile impact sites and communities impacted by the war. His itinerary included meetings with soldiers, visits to wounded civilians in hospitals, attendance at funerals, and conversations with Holocaust survivors. The documentation effort is aimed at showing how Israeli society operates during wartime and exploring ways for international supporters to offer assistance.
The Friends of Zion movement, founded by Evans, has organized several public campaigns in Israel in recent years. Marom cited previous initiatives, including one titled "Cyrus the Great is Alive"—a reference to the ancient Persian king who, according to the Bible, allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem from exile—as well as other campaigns focused on US-Israel relations.
The campaign comes amid a shifting landscape of support. While the evangelical community has historically been a strong backer of Israel, a report from early 2024 indicated a more than 50 percent decline in support among young evangelicals over a three-year period.
Photos credit: FLASH90
