Presse

Pray for peace in Jerusalem: Prayer Breakfast in Basel

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Basel (idea) - "For our team it was quickly clear that it had to be 'Les Trois Rois' in Basel", explains Annette Walder, president of the association Jerusalem Prayer Switzerland. Theodor Herzl had stayed here and, according to his words, founded the Jewish state in the Casino in Basel. Walder refers to the first Zionist congress, which took place 122 years ago in Basel.

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Ambassador: Switzerland should move its embassy

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After breakfast in the historic ballroom, the Israeli ambassador to Switzerland, Jacob Keidar, greeted the participants and thanked them for their solidarity and friendship with Israel. Keidar referred to the transfer of the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on the same day and called on Switzerland to do the same as the USA.

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Europe's Jewish roots

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In his speech, Lukas Kundert, the President of the Council of Churches of the Protestant Reformed Church of Basel City, explained what constitutes the centre of Europe: Judaism and its capital Jerusalem. In its drive for freedom and emancipation, Europe had cut itself off from its Jewish roots and persecuted the Jews. Kundert pleaded for a new appreciation of Jewish culture in Europe.

Two worship times framed the greetings and led over to the following prayer time. This began with the reading and proclamation of Bible verses that confirmed God's promises about Israel. Afterwards the participants prayed at the tables for the governments in Israel and Switzerland. The meeting concluded with the two national anthems of Israel and Switzerland. The Israeli anthem was sung by the cantor of the Israelite community of Basel, who then also spoke the Aaronite blessing.

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Is there a second prayer breakfast?

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Annette Walder expressed her satisfaction after the event: "We have received a great deal of encouraging and gratifying feedback. The gratitude and in part perceptible emotion of the guests was impressive". Whether there will be a second Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Switzerland is not yet certain. Annette Walder: "There are ideas that this prayer breakfast could be continued - perhaps also in a modified form. But it is still too early to talk about it today."

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Photo: Jerusalem Prayer Switzerland

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