Paul Calvert spoke with Josh Reinstein, the Director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus

Josh: Absolutely and I think that shift started during the time of the second Intifada, where one by one the nations of the world turned their back on Israel, but Christians stood up with Israel and stood their ground. We realised that if you put economic ahead of a biblical or a moral agenda then you are not going to support Israel. We have no oil and if you have a political agenda you're not necessarily going to support Israel either. We have one vote in the UN compared to many more Arab and Muslim votes. It's only people who put values and beliefs ahead of economic and political concerns that will stand with Israel and for the most part that leaves the people of the book, both Jews and Christians who believe in the Bible.

Paul: How many Christians come to Israel every year?

Josh: I believe the official statistic is 1.8 million but it's by far our fastest growing tourism sector. It's a great place for Christians to come. There is a great slogan in the tourism ministry that said, 'If you like the book then you'll love the country' and I think that makes a lot of sense when you are here walking the streets of Israel and especially Jerusalem.

Paul: Why do you think Christians and Jews are beginning to align themselves together?

Josh: I think people understand that if you believe in the Bible and you are a man or a woman of faith, then this is the time when you have to stand together and defend God's covenant. There are many people out there who are against Israel because they are not happy about God fulfilling his prophecy's; people who don't believe in the Bible; people who see Israel as a threat because its proof of God's existence.

Paul: Your offices are here in East Jerusalem and this is a very Arab area; is that strategic for you being here?

Josh: No, we have several offices. We also have offices in the Knesset; we have the offices here for the International Foundation, the Shalom Jerusalem Centre, but again there is no East and West Jerusalem, there is only Jerusalem. If you want to look at it specifically there is only one Jerusalem and that is East Jerusalem; that's where the altars of our faith are; that's where the Old City is; that's where the Western Wall is; that's where the Temple Mount is; that's for Christians where the Garden Tomb is. West Jerusalem is the suburbs, as East Jerusalem grew and more people came and they grew other neighbourhoods; but there is only one Jerusalem and we don't differentiate between east and west. Theoretically I live in French Hill, which is a Jewish neighbourhood, but some people will call that East Jerusalem. Its not, it's not a different place. Jerusalem is a very small city and it is all in one central area.

Paul: How can Christians around the world support Israel more?

Josh: First of all I would encourage them to go and join and 'like' our Facebook page, the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus. Secondly I think it is important that all Christians come to Israel and make a pilgrimage at least once in their life. Those that come to Israel, they come and visit the Shalom Jerusalem Centre as we open it to groups. Thirdly I would say that people need to use their own individual genius and abilities to stand with Israel; to make their case for Israel and say to the world that the city of Jerusalem is the undivided and united Capital of the State of Israel and that's not because of Camp David, that's because of King David and that God has given this land to the Jewish people and that's why we are here and we aren't going anywhere.

Paul: You had a special night of honour, what was that?

Josh: We do have a night to honour our Christian allies and it is really a play on John Hagee's night to honour Israel. All year long Christians are working to support Israel and to help Israel and we wanted a night here, that we can say thank you to our Christian allies around the world from the Government and from the Jewish organisations. Once a year we sit down with our Christian brothers and sisters and say thanks for what you are doing, we really appreciate it and we want to continue to work together.

Paul: Who are you honouring that night and why?

Josh: We do two honours every year. One is a tourism award that we do together with the Ministry of Tourism, which was given to Jurgen Buhler who is the Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. We gave it to him because he has just done incredible work in bringing tourists to Israel. He has the largest tourist event called the Feast of Tabernacles that brings 7,000 Christians directly to Israel every year. The other award was given to Bishop Daniel Williams and it's a joint award between the World Jewish Congress and the Christian Allies Caucus of the Knesset and we gave it to him because he has been able to bring the attention of Israel to such masses around the world. He was the Chairman of Teen Mania, which is the largest youth organisation in the world. He has been able to put into their curriculum information about Israel and bring Israel to the youth. He was also the head of a denomination of churches where he had them move their seat from Rome to Jerusalem, which is a huge accomplishment. He has been very supportive of Israel and we just wanted to honour him here in Jerusalem.

Paul: What about you personally as a Jew, why are you bridging the gap between Jews and Christians?