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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has raised alarms regarding a growing campaign aimed at diminishing the historically strong ties between Christians and Jews, especially within the United States.
At a recent event in Jerusalem, attended by Pastor Paula White-Cain, a prominent spiritual advisor to former President Donald Trump and a leader in the fight against antisemitism, Netanyahu asserted that the longstanding partnership which upholds Judeo-Christian values and uniquely safeguards Christians in Israel is under threat. This reversal, he insisted, distorts the reality of Israel’s role as a protector of Christian communities in the region.
“As part of this campaign,” Netanyahu stated, “Israel is now being misrepresented as a danger to Christians.”
Highlighting the country’s vibrant Christian population, Netanyahu pointed out that Israel stands out in a Middle Eastern context where Christians frequently encounter persecution. He cited Nazareth as a vibrant center of Christian life, contrasting it sharply with Bethlehem, where the Christian population has plummeted from 80% to under 20% since Israel’s withdrawal and the Palestinian Authority’s rise to power, which has led to diminished protections for Christians.
Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), elaborated on the motives behind the attacks on Israel. He identified two groups of bad actors — those seeking relevance through antisemitic positions to secure notoriety, and genuine Jew-haters who view Christian Zionism as the last line of defense against the rise of antisemitism in America.
Hagee emphasized, “Those who oppose Israel and wish to see its demise recognize that the alliance between Christians and Jews is a formidable barrier to realizing their goals. It makes sense that they would attempt to create discord between these two groups.” He underlined that the strong Jewish-Christian bond is a potent repudiation of their destructive ideology.
Furthermore, Hagee cautioned that negative narratives about Israel are being intensified through online platforms and mainstream media, ultimately benefiting Palestinian terrorist organizations.
During his address, Netanyahu criticized portrayals of Israel in American media. “So, while Israel is the guardian of Christianity in the Middle East, some influencers present it as the enemy of Christianity. This is folly and a gross distortion of truth,” he remarked.
He urged that the collective values should be defended, asserting that standing up for truth equates to supporting Israel and the Jewish community against widespread disinformation.
Netanyahu’s remarks coincided with allegations that extremist settlers targeted a historic church in the West Bank, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) purportedly struck a church in Gaza. In mid-July, the Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem accused “radical Israelis” of intentionally setting a fire near the Church of Saint George in Taybeh. However, Israeli police later confirmed that the fire, caused by an unknown source, did not damage the ancient church structure itself.
Regarding the incident in Gaza, the IDF verified that a mortar strike on the Holy Family Church was accidentally conducted due to a deviation of munitions during operational maneuvers in Gaza City. An investigation revealed that the church sustained no damage, and the IDF facilitated humanitarian aid deliveries and clergy visits to the church site.
Dr. Mike Evans, the founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem and a former evangelical advisor to Donald Trump, discussed the extensive financial resources directed by anti-Israel advocates to sway perspectives on American college campuses.
“The prevailing belief is that Israel’s existence is somehow illegitimate,” Evans remarked, emphasizing that this narrative does not apply to any other nation, regardless of its historical context. He argued that this belief perpetuates a cycle of antisemitism, stating that to oppose Zionism is to oppose Judaism.
He expressed his concern about the importance of educating Bible-believing Christians about Israel’s historical significance in a biblical context. Evans noted that in Germany, evangelical protesters allied with the Nazi party, demonstrating how a deviation from a biblical worldview can lead to dire consequences.
David Parsons, Senior Vice President and Spokesman for the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, echoed Evans’ sentiments, asserting that longstanding Christian support for Israel, rooted deeply in history, is facing significant challenges in the current conflict against Hamas.
Parsons remarked, “Support for Israel predates Trump and Netanyahu, and it will endure long after they have gone from the stage.” He highlighted the need to engage younger generations, noting that many young Christians do not share the same convictions as their elders, which were often based on prophetic interpretations of Israel’s role.
“We perceive God as faithful to His covenant promises to Abraham thousands of years ago. If He has been faithful to Jewish people, then He will be faithful to us as well,” Parsons affirmed.
He encouraged opportunities for young Christians to visit Israel firsthand, fostering a deeper connection. “Many young supporters of Israel aren’t present in elite universities where anti-Israel sentiment prevails, which leaves us optimistic,” he noted.
According to Parsons, seeing Israel’s achievements, such as its strategic military operations, can inspire curiosity and admiration among young people. He emphasized that once a resolution is reached regarding Gaza, a new generation of Christians would likely seek to understand and appreciate Israel more profoundly.
Ultimately, Israeli officials and Christian supporters reinforce the narrative that the alliance between these two communities is vital for cultural and political solidarity in an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.
