Thousands of Christians march in Jerusalem parade

Thousands of Christians from around the world, waving blue and white Israeli flags, marched Wednesday in a colorful holiday parade in Jerusalem to commemorate a Jewish holiday and show their support for Israel.

The annual parade to mark the week-long holiday of Sukkot, or Feast of the Tabernacles, was the latest display of the growing alliance between evangelical Christians and the Jewish state.

The International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem, a global organization that promotes ties between Israel and the world's Christian communities, sponsored the event in which 3,000 people from nearly 100 countries participated.

Christian Zionists are among the staunchest supporters of Israel, providing generous financial help and political backing. But some dovish Israelis are uncomfortable with the warm ties with evangelists because of their support for West Bank Jewish settlements and criticism of peace efforts with the Palestinians.

Israelis are also wary of what they see as the source of the unbridled support -- a belief by some evangelical groups in a final, apocalyptic battle between good and evil, in which Jesus returns and Jews either accept Christianity or perish.

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