Evangelical organizations in the United States immediately reacted to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. A fewer hours after the event, the United Christians for Israel published an emotional message on platform X (formerly Twitter): “To the terrorists who chose to fight, perceive to what you are doing to Israel, God will do to you,” recalled the British paper The Guardian. A period later, the same organization launched a run in Times Square, fresh York, where the slogan “Israel, you are not alone” appeared on the large screen – as reported by “Le Monde”.
Theological Basis of Christian Zionism
“This is an act of faith,” explains Celia Belin, a polytolist from the European Council of global Relations, in an interview with “Le Monde”. For many evangelical Christians, supporting Israel is just as crucial as opposing abortion and results from the belief in the fulfillment of divine commands. The traditions of Christian Zionism, though reaching the main streams of Protestantism, gained strength in the Evangelical movements of the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1981, preacher Jerry Falwell, 1 of the leaders of Christian Zionism, stated: “To be against Israel is to be against God.” This position is supported by many supporters of Christian Zionism who believe that the restoration of Israel is part of God’s plan and fulfillment of Bible prophecies.
Relationships with the Bible and the literal explanation of prophecies
Supporters of Christian Zionism base their beliefs on the literal explanation of the Bible, especially in relation to the Promised Land. 1 of the most crucial Bible texts for this movement is the Book of Genesis, in which God promises Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you, and I will curse you.”
Stephanie Laithier of the Institute for the survey of religion and Laickness in Paris notes that Israel's triumph in the 1967 Six-Day War, completed by the annexation of East Jerusalem, was recognized by supporters of Christian Zionism as a “sign of God” and a prediction of the fulfillment of Bible prophecies.
The function of Messianicism and theology of the end of time
Messianic theology besides plays a key function in the ideology of Christian Zionism. “Le Monde” emphasizes that the extremist faction of this movement believes that the return of the judaic people to the Promised Land is an introduction to Jesus' re-entry. According to their explanation of the Apocalypse of John, the final conflict – Armageddon – will take place after the Jews return to biblical lands, which will initiate a seven-year period of chaos and then the return of Christ.
Although specified communicative is not well received by Israelis, especially spiritual ones, the Israeli government sees valuable allies in Christian Zionists. The Guardian explains that in Evangelical theology the return of Jews to the region marks the beginning of the end of time, which further motivates political support for Israel.
Evangelicals in American Politics
Supporters of Christian Zionism play an crucial function in US politics, especially in the context of the Republican Party. According to a poll conducted by the Washington Post in 2017, 80% of evangelicals believe that the uprising of the State of Israel in 1948 was a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. In 2020, evangelicals accounted for 28% of all American voters, and 3 quarters of them supported Donald Trump," CNN reports.
Trump became an icon for this group of voters, mainly thanks to his pro-Israeli actions. In 2017, he recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the American embassy there, which was peculiarly appreciated by evangelicals. John Hagee, leader of the United Christian organization for Israel, described Trump as “the most pro-Israeli president in U.S. history.”
Impact of support for Israel on upcoming elections
In the face of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, evangelicals can play a decisive function in shaping United States abroad policy. As the Guardian emphasizes, their strong presence in legislature and their support for pro-Israeli policy can importantly influence future decisions of the US government.
Given the current political climate, support for Israel will become 1 of the main themes in the U.S. electoral campaign.
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Evangelical organizations in the United States believe that supporting Israel is their spiritual duty
