The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews raised $1.67 million for Israel at a festive gala in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday in honor of the state's upcoming 70th Independence Day.
Some 500 donors from across the United States, as well as from Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, Jamaica and other countries, paid thousands of dollars a plate to attend the event at U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.
Event organizers hoped Trump, who spent the weekend there with First Lady Melania and their son Baron, might make a surprise visit to the dinner. But they were disappointed to learn that the president had departed for Washington two hours before the start of the event.
Among those who delivered speeches at the gala were Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"We in Israel are always talking about everyone who is against us. This is a show of support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. We have a lot of friends in the world," Danon told the gala.
Founded by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein with the goal of promoting understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews, the interfaith philanthropic organization helps encourage immigration to Israel and raises funds for the underprivileged and Holocaust survivors, among others.
Since its establishment in 1983, the organization has raised about $1.5 billion for Israel.
