President Trump receives the Friends of Zion award, December 11, 2017 Image by white house

By Nathan Guttman December 12, 2017

Continuing his victory lap after recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, President Trump hosted a group of Christian evangelical leaders in the Oval Office, to receive the “Friends of Zion” award.

“We believe no American president in history has done more to defend the Jewish people in the United Nations,” Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Museum, said of Trump. The Friends of Zion Museum, located in Jerusalem, was established by evangelical groups and highlights the contribution of Christians to Israel and the Jewish people. The award has been given in the past to President George W. Bush, Prince Albert of Monaco, and former Bulgarian president Roman Plevneliev.

Speaking outside the White House after the award ceremony, which was closed to the press, members of the organization praised Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and begin work to move the U.S. embassy to the city. “He is an anomaly because he keeps his promises,” said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council. “Evangelicals, conservatives across this country are grateful for the fact that he has actually done exactly what he campaigned on.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount