As questions over little Israel draw the unprecedented attention of the whole world, a giant of the Christian faith has passed from this life into the hands of the Saviour he loved.
Hugh Kitson has succumbed to the effects of cancer in Melbourne, Australia, leaving a lasting legacy of truth with regard to the Jewish state’s ancient rights to the Promised Land, not only biblically but also politically, reminding those with ears to hear of treaties signed by major powers.
In cooperation with Col Richard Kemp, one-time leader of British forces in Afghanistan, Hugh has produced several films confirming modern-day Israel’s legal and other rights.
A devout Christian whom I was privileged to call a friend, Hugh and his wife Noreen relocated to Australia in recent years to be close to his family.
Parts I and II of Whose Land? were recently shown to a packed cinema audience in Melbourne, both attended by Hugh. Part II was shown just last Monday evening.
Even though close to death, Hugh told a friend that, as long as he had breath, he would be at that screening. “It will be my swansong,” he said. And so it proved to be.
The screening was jointly organised by the Australian Jewish Association and Pastor Mark Leach’s Never Again is Now/Allies for Australia.
Hugh was there to hear AJA announce that they are creating an annual Hugh Kitson Award in honour of his loving support for Israel and her people.
Hugh is a humble man. The first time I met him, he had been ‘sent’ (or did he volunteer?) to fetch me from the station for a talk on Israel I was to give at the Hertfordshire home of the Evangelical Sisters of Mary, who are great supporters of his work. We hit if off straight away and have stayed in contact since.
Elaine Black, an Australian Jew who refers to him as her dearest friend, wrote: “He will be forever loved and missed by so many people who admired his dedication, greatness and love of G-d.”
Charles Gardner is author of Israel the Chosen, available from Amazon; Peace in Jerusalem, available from olivepresspublisher.com; To the Jew First, A Nation Reborn, and King of the Jews, all available from Christian Publications International.
