Israeli advocate Chaim Malespin marked Israel's 78th Independence Day as he congratulated activists from the “Faithful Galileans," a pro-Israel Christian advocacy group, and expressed gratitude for the support he received from the state.
“As we stand at the threshold of Israel’s 78th Independence Day, our hearts beat with a mixture of deep pain and unimaginable pride. This year, the reality on the ground reminds us that the struggle for our freedom has not ceased. We stand strong together and do not forget the fighters - especially our wounded comrades, the unsung heroes of this war.”
Malespin honored Israel’s 170 fallen soldiers over the past year, including Staff Sergeant Daniel Hamo, a fighter and paratrooper from Tiberias who fell in Gaza.
“His life and sacrifice embody Jewish values,” Malespin said.
The Faithful Galileans work with Christians from various countries to strengthen worldwide support for Israel. Hundreds of participants have completed their intensive two-week training over the past year, Malespin said.
Participants fight anti-Israel ideologies in their home countries
After their training, the group keeps in touch to keep on fighting against anti-Israel ideologies in their home countries. “There are some Christians who are willing to help us; we have to find and work with them,” Malespin said.
They invite volunteers and interns from around the world to “Participate with Israel.” These interns participate in service projects in the Galilee and are trained to be effective “ambassadors for Israel” when they return to their home countries.
Malespin immigrated to Israel from the United States at the age of 15 and served in the IDF. He has been assisting citizens of northern Israel for 13 years through dozens of projects.
In the past year alone, Malespin and his team raised approximately NIS 9 million in donations to fund projects assisting Israeli civilians.
‘I nearly died’
Malespin emphasizes that today’s struggle is not only on the battlefield, but also a fight for global public opinion. As a result, he established ”The Faithful Galileans” to teach Christian ambassadors how to serve new immigrants and support widows and orphans.
So far, the organization has trained 35,000 pro-Israel Christians from the diaspora as goodwill ambassadors. The organization holds seminars, events, educational tours, advocacy initiatives, and produces media content.
On the night of April 6, Malespin survived a Fajr missile strike fired at him by Hezbollah operatives from south of the Litani River, landing about 30 meters away.
“From 100 different launch points, a coordinated barrage of 380 rockets and mortar shells was funneled into a target zone smaller than one square kilometer,” Malespin said to The Post in a conversation.
“To be 30 meters from an impact of that magnitude and survive is a statistical anomaly.” Malespin said, “It is the definition of a miracle. Behind that wall, you weren't just a soldier; you were a man being shielded by something far greater than stone.”
After recovery and ahead of Independence Day, he visited his fellow unit members who were injured in the incident in hospitals across the country.
At the same time, Malespin and ambassadors celebrated with dozens of lone soldiers, marking the State of Israel’s new year while honoring those wounded and deceased.
“They [soldiers] know that they survived the unsurvivable.”