What CUFI Reminded Me About Standing with Israel
There are moments when you are reminded that meaningful connections begin with a conversation, a shared conviction, or a simple expression of solidarity. That was the thought I kept returning to after attending the Christians United for Israel Summit and the Night to Honor Israel early this month.
As Director of International Affairs at Galilee Medical Center, my work centers on building bridges through healthcare, strengthening international partnerships, and connecting people around the world with Israel through our shared values, medical excellence, and compassionate care. Every relationship begins with trust, and lasting relationships grow when people choose to listen to one another. The summit was a powerful reminder that relationships are stronger than headlines.
During the summit, I met people from different professions, communities and churches, each with their own connection to Israel. While their backgrounds varied, their commitment was consistent. They were there because they genuinely care about Israel and its future. At a time when Israel is often viewed through the narrow lens of conflict, gatherings like this offer a different perspective. They remind us that beyond the political debates are people who continue to believe in Israel’s resilience, its democracy, its innovation, and above all, its humanity.
Working at Galilee Medical Center has shaped the way I see those values every day. Our hospital, located just six miles from Israel’s border with Lebanon, has long operated under extraordinary circumstances. It is the only major trauma center in the Western Galilee and serves a very diverse population. The medical center serves as a microcosm of the region, with Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze, Circassian, and other staff members working side by side, while their own families are living through the same security challenges as the communities we serve. The focus is always on preserving life, easing suffering, and treating every patient, civilian or soldier, with dignity and compassion. Medicine leaves no room for division. This environment reflects a model of cooperation and shared humanity within the region.
That perspective is something I was proud to share during the summit.
Healthcare has become one of Israel’s most powerful ways of building bridges with the world. Medical innovation, humanitarian care, professional collaboration, and scientific research create connections that transcend politics.
The conversations I had during the summit reinforced something I have come to appreciate throughout my career. International partnerships are built through trust, consistency, and personal relationships that grow stronger over time.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the summit was the opportunity to listen. To hear why people continue to stand with Israel. To understand what inspires them, what concerns them, and what they hope for our future.
As I returned home, I found myself reflecting that I am fortunate to work at an institution that brings people together through a common purpose. Hospitals have always been places of healing. Increasingly, they are also places where international relations are strengthened, where cultures meet, and where shared values become lasting partnerships.
The CUFI Summit reminded me that Israel’s ambassadors are often ordinary people who choose to build extraordinary relationships. Whether through faith, philanthropy, healthcare, education, or simply friendship, they help strengthen the relationships that sustain us during difficult times and inspire us to look toward the future with hope.
Those relationships do more than support Israel. They remind us that even in a complicated world, goodwill, compassion, and genuine human connection remain among our greatest strengths.