The Christian argument for supporting Israel

The Bible vividly presents Israel as a central theme in God's plan for humanity. It is woven historically through Abraham's covenant to establish a nation, sustained by the promises made to King David and his forefathers, and ultimately culminated in redemption through Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Today, millions of Protestants and Catholics are convinced and enduringly convinced of Israel's biblical significance, which influences their views and their unwavering support for the country.

One of the most significant sources of controversy and division in recent times has been the debate over the distinction between supporting Israel as a nation and supporting the Jewish people as God's chosen people. This debate has caused considerable confusion and attracted considerable attention.

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However, it is important to recognize that the two are closely linked. Our support should be viewed from a spiritual perspective, not just as a political issue.

But what does it mean to say that we support Israel in today's geopolitical climate?

I agree with my colleague Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit Ministries and author of Should Christians support Israel? that supporting Israel does not mean that Christians are obligated to approve of every policy or action of that country worldwide.

As Christians, we have theological and practical reasons to stand in solidarity with Israel. But let us remember that our unwavering commitment is not to Israel, but to God himself.

Reason #1: Standing up for the promises God made to Israel

From the rise of Abram (later Abraham) in Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-17, 15:18-21, 17:7-8 to God's calling of Moses to deliver His people from the power of Egypt, “to bring them out of that land into a good and spacious land (i.e., Israel)” (Exodus 3:8), the Jews have a God-given right to the Holy Land. In Deuteronomy 1:8, Moses delivers the word of the Lord to Israel: “Behold, I have set the land before you. Go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them and to their descendants after them.”

Furthermore, God declared to Israel: “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6) Through the prophet Isaiah, God clearly chose Israel to be a beacon of hope, truth, and divine revelation to the entire world. Israel was to demonstrate God’s justice, mercy, and holiness to other nations through their devotion, worship, and special laws.

Reason No. 2: Stand up against anti-Semitism

Another important reason is to combat anti-Semitism directed against Israel and the Jews around the world. While we stand up for and defend Israel's right to exist, we also fight against hate speech, discrimination, and violence directed against the Jewish people as a religious and ethnic group around the world. (See Proverbs 31:8-9; Isaiah 40:1-2; Matthew 10:32-33)

The Economist called the invasion of Israel by Hamas soldiers on October 7, 2023, the “bloodiest in Israel's history.” With so many casualties, from infants to women having their breasts cut off and burned alive, we have seen a global rise in anti-Semitic incidents with no end in sight.

And yet, despite the rise in anti-Semitism by Hamas after October 7, the Israeli army has stuck to its strict rules of engagement. Dr. Myers sheds light on this in his book Should Christians Support Israel: “In its defense before the ICJ, Israel said that not only did it not intentionally attack Palestinian civilians in Gaza, but that hostilities were waning as Israel achieved its stated war aims. It said that in addition to its strict rules of engagement, it had actively provided humanitarian aid in Gaza by opening a dozen bakeries producing two million loaves of bread a day, supplying its own water to Gaza through two pipelines… and providing six field hospitals and two floating hospitals, with more being built… evacuating the sick and wounded through the Rafah crossing and distributing tents, winter gear, fuel and cooking gas.”

Despite widespread misinformation that Israeli forces are committing genocide, it is important to recognize that Israel's conflict with Hamas (and not with the Palestinian people) is primarily a matter of self-defense and is consistent with international law.

Reason No. 3: Advocating for democracy in the Middle East

Israel is a strategic ally of the United States and the only country in the Middle East that shares our values ​​and freedoms and is committed to promoting human rights for all people.

And yet Israel is bombarded (almost daily) by terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda and others who fire rockets and incite violence against Israeli civilians in order to wipe out Israel's existence and destroy any hope for democracy in the Middle East.

Israel is often criticized, condemned and isolated by the international community for its defensive actions, while the aggression and atrocities of its enemies are often overlooked or justified. What is often overlooked is that Israel relinquished control of the Gaza Strip in 2005 in order to reduce tensions among Palestinians and promote peace in the region. However, shortly thereafter, Hamas seized control of Gaza and used it as a base for terrorist attacks against Israel and the Palestinian people.

Amjad Taha, an expert on strategic political affairs in the Middle East, said in an interview with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies: “From the Muslim Brotherhood emerged al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, Hamas in Gaza and ISIS in Syria… They are against women's rights, they promote anti-Semitism, they are against diversity in all our countries and they glorify death. Hamas, al-Qaeda, ISIS and all other forms of the Muslim Brotherhood were unfortunately allowed to rule in Gaza. And when they did that, they waged war against their own people. When they came to power, they kidnapped members of the Palestinian Authority and killed 500 Muslims from the Palestinian Fatah movement.”

By standing up for Israel's rights as a nation, you recognize its sovereignty and defend its right to protect itself from such threats from its neighbors and terrorists.

Reason No. 4: Advocating for peace for Israel in the Middle East

Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the safety of all who love you.” In his letter to the Romans, Paul stated that it was his “heart’s desire and prayer to God” that the Jews would be saved (10:1).

Although Israel has not always fulfilled its purpose as a mediator of God's truth, it will one day become a “vision of future glory” (Isaiah 60:3) that will house God's presence and divine blessings for the entire world. The prophetic scriptures Zechariah 14:1-21, Revelation 19:11-16, and 22:12-13 confirm that Jesus will return to Jerusalem in the future to establish His Kingdom on earth. We must never lose sight of this as we pray for the salvation of the Jews!

That is why it is so important to show support, to pray for us and to work for the peace and stability of Israel, which is trying to survive in a difficult region surrounded by enemies who seek its destruction.

By supporting Israel, we obey God's will and join His promises, goals and plans for the world.

We must not give up our reputation for doing what is right and stand on Israel’s side by obediently following the written words of the prophet Isaiah, who declared: “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning lamp.” (Isaiah 62:1)