The bilateral relations between the US and Israel are strongly influenced by the unique perspectives of evangelicals in America, even though most Americans may not immediately associate Christian evangelism with Israel, a Jewish state since its founding in 1948. Most evangelical Christians are usually referred to as evangelical Protestants and are usually identified by conservative values and more fundamentalist theology, in comparison to mainline Protestants.
According to a 2024 Chicago Council Survey, approximately one out of eight Americans (13%) are white evangelical Protestants, amounting to around 44 million. Since they opposed the Democratic Party in upholding civil and voting rights in the 1960s, many of these white evangelical Protestants (61%) consider themselves Republicans, and only 9% themselves Democrats. This is particularly true in the South.
Biblical prophecy and fulfillment
Many evangelicals believe that the Book of Revelation’s explanation of the end times depends on Israel’s ongoing existence. They hold that before Jesus’ second coming, which is regarded as the pinnacle of Christian theology, can take place, and a Christian kingdom is established on Earth, Jews must first have their own nation in the Holy Land of Israel. Evangelicals and other Americans have quite different perspectives on Israel as a result of these unique religious convictions.
For starters, evangelicals are much more inclined to think that God’s favor or direct participation is the reason Israel exists. Pew Research compiled two 2013 polls and found that the percentage of white evangelical Christians who believe that God gave Israel to the Jewish people is comparable to that of ultra-Orthodox Jews (82% and 81%, respectively). In contrast, the same view is shared by 55% of all Christians and 44% of the American population.
Religious obligation and covenant theology
Evangelicals’ distinct perspectives on Israel also influence how they see US policy choices. As an example, the US embassy in Israel under Trump was moved to Jerusalem in 2018. This move was highly controversial because it was basically an acknowledgement by Washington that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel rather than that of Tel Aviv, which had overturned the international agreements of the last 70 years regarding the status of Jerusalem. Arguments for and against the embassy move were offered to Americans in a University of Maryland poll conducted from November 1–6, 2017. What the action might convey to the rest of the world is the point of debate.
Relocating the embassy will violate ‘international norms’ and increase ‘anti-American sentiments among Arabs and Muslims globally,’ according to opponents. The move’s justification is that it would demonstrate the US’s “commitment to the State of Israel” and officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Following hearing the arguments, 31% of Americans supported the proposed move, while nearly two-thirds (63%) opposed it. However, among evangelical Americans, who Trump promised to support in 2020, the idea was far more popular, with a majority in favor (53%, 40% opposed).
Christian Zionism and dispensationalism
Christian Zionists clearly reject replacement theology. The notion that the Jewish people maintain a special, unbroken covenant relationship with God is fundamental to Christian Zionist theology. Whether or not they are dispensationalists, Christian Zionists expressly oppose replacement theology; however, their views on the subject and the reason for their rejection vary widely. A historian who criticizes Christian Zionism himself, Donald Lewis, correctly characterizes Christian Zionist theology as a “theology of esteem,” which is distinctly separate from the antisemitic, historical medieval “theology of disdain.”
Because Christian Zionists were critical in the establishment of Israel, yet they are also deeply antisemitic religious figures, most Jews are torn between their feelings about them. Some Jewish leaders believe that Israel must take the aid of Christian Zionists even when problematic attitudes are held against it, since the world seems to be against them. However, some contend that since Christian Zionists’ real objective is Jewish conversion rather than Jewish survival, siding with them is ultimately risky.
A dispensationalist movement known as Christian Zionism asserts that it endorses Jewish nationalism while essentially rejecting Judaism’s status as an enduring religion. It propagates the notion that Jews must finally convert or suffer in the final judgment, but first they must assemble in Israel to fulfill end-times prophecy.
Theological belief in the Jewish role in salvation history
Too frequently, Church members have disregarded their Jewish heritage and their obligation to the Jewish people, even though they were grafted into the tamed olive tree that is Israel from the womb of Israel. At the Second Vatican Council, the Church resolved to reexamine her relationship with the Jews. After two thousand years, a reflection on the history of Jewish-Catholic ties challenges the dominant conceptual language and techniques of the past. Catholics must reconsider their Christian ministry to the Jews if they are to take this frequently tragic past seriously.
Catholics learn about Jewish reality in all its complexity and vibrancy through conversation with Jews. They must understand that pious Jews already relate to God, the Creator and Redeemer, whom Christians refer to as the Father of Jesus Christ, in a dynamic way. Jesus of Nazareth’s claims to be the Messiah are rejected by the majority of Jews. They do, however, have a deep grasp of an ordered creation, God’s role in the tale of salvation, and an eschatological restoration that Christians do not.
Political influence and US Foreign Policy connections
Additionally, white evangelicals are much more likely to believe that Israel is not receiving enough assistance from the US. Compared to 20% of the general population and only 10% of Americans who are atheist, agnostic, or otherwise non-believing, one-third (35%) of evangelical or born-again Christians feel that Washington is not doing enough to help Israel. Of the evangelicals surveyed, 60% are against the United States limiting the military assistance it provides to Israel. This compares to about a fifth of mainline Protestants (39%) and Catholics (42%), as well as 42% of the general population. Just 32% of Americans who are not religious have the same opinion.
Despite broader views and the consequences of their actions, the differences in sentiment within the subgroups show distinct evangelical support for Israel. Even innocent Palestinians who have been uprooted by the war are seen as enemies by the American right. Because “the Palestinian population has no interest in assimilating into American culture and governance, or in expressing loyalty to America or American allies,” the Heritage Foundation demanded this week that the United States reject any refugees from Gaza.
Support for Israel as a step toward the second coming of Christ
Fortunately, there is some evidence that younger evangelicals are not as enthralled with Israel’s role in end-times theology as their parents or grandparents were. However, this important segment of the Republican vote is still deeply rooted in the mythology of Christian Zionism. With so many elected politicians under its control, its ominous meddling further complicates the resolution of one of the world’s bloodiest conflicts.
American Christian Zionists have no qualms about aiding Israel in the genocide of the Palestinian people. While they eagerly await the fulfillment of biblical prophecies, evangelical Christians are willing to accept, if not condone, the cold-blooded slaughter of innocent bystanders in the name of their religious faith. A Christian who believes that it is God’s will to reach out and win non-Christians over to Christianity is referred to as an evangelical. In the United States, a large number of influential Evangelical networks are Zionist. However, some aren’t. Evangelicals are not the only Christian Zionists.
