Around 3,000 participants representing 50 nations have arrived in Jerusalem for the Jerusalem Peace Convention, organized by the Institute of Asian Culture and Development (IACD) and running in the city from July 21 to 24, 2026, offering a visible sign of solidarity with Israel during a difficult stretch for incoming tourism.
The gathering, held under the theme “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem,” is convening at the Jerusalem International Convention Center. The theme itself is drawn directly from the Bible: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). The same psalm describes Jerusalem as the destination of pilgrimage for “the tribes of the Lord,” language that echoes the prophet’s vision of nations one day converging on the city: “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths” (Isaiah 2:3). Three thousand delegates arriving from 50 nations to pray in Jerusalem places this convention squarely within that pattern, of the nations “going up” to the city that carries peace, shalom, in its very name.
The Israel Ministry of Tourism took part in hosting the delegation, including support for guiding and hospitality costs, as participants tour Jerusalem and other sites across the country. According to IACD materials, the convention is expected to generate at least 7,000 room nights in Jerusalem hotels, feeding directly into the city’s hospitality, transportation, catering, and tourism sectors.
Ahead of his address to the convention, Michael Izhakov, director general of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, met with Dr. Choi Han Woo, president of IACD, for an extended discussion on tourism, Israel-South Korea relations, and the longstanding warmth Korean Christian communities have shown toward Israel. Ministry representatives present at the event said Izhakov received an extended standing ovation from the audience.
In his remarks to the delegation, Izhakov welcomed IACD and its participants on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and the State of Israel. “Your decision to convene in Israel during these challenging times is a profound demonstration of friendship, solidarity, and confidence in our nation,” Izhakov said. “It is a powerful affirmation that Jerusalem remains a city where people from around the world can gather in pursuit of peace, faith, dialogue, and mutual understanding.”
The Ministry said many delegates are expected to tour Israel before and after the convention, visiting sites of historical, cultural, and spiritual significance as part of what officials describe as faith-based tourism’s continued role in connecting international communities with Israel and supporting local tourism businesses during a period of recovery.
IACD was established in South Korea in 1983 and operates a global network with branches and affiliates across South Korea, the United States, and other regions. The organization has maintained a longstanding relationship with Israel, including previous large-scale peace marches and solidarity events in Jerusalem.
The Ministry of Tourism is treating the convention as part of its broader effort to strengthen incoming tourism, deepen cooperation with international faith-based partners, and send visitors home as goodwill ambassadors who have experienced Israel firsthand.
