More than 5,000 evangelical Christians, including believers from as far afield as Congo and New Zealand, marched through Jerusalem yesterday to voice their support for Zionism and the state of Israel.

The event was organized by the International Christian Embassy of Israel.

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"I am here to show my love and support for the people of Israel," explained Mpoy Muambi, a pastor from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Earlier this year, the Vatican's envoy in the Holy Land and bishops from three other churches launched a rare attack on the Christian Zionist movement, accusing it of promoting "racial exclusivity and perpetual war."

"The Christian Zionist program provides a world view where the Gospel is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism," a declaration read.

Those joining yesterday's march, the 27th pilgrimage of its kind, dismissed these accusations, adding that Israel needs their help all the more following its recent war in Lebanon.

"After the war, we wanted even more for the people of Israel to know that we are not afraid. God wanted us to come to show them we love them," said Jan Christianson, 61, who came from New Zealand with her husband.

The pilgrims, many of them wearing t-shirts bearing the slogan "Israel, you are in our hearts," were welcomed on Sunday with a message from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

"This is the city God has chosen to be the capital of the Jewish people and it will remain the capital of the Jewish people," the recorded message said. In response, the crowd applauded and shouted in Hebrew: "The nation of Israel lives!"