Evangelical Christians stand behind America’s support for Israel.
By Rachel Avraham
The establishment of the State of Israel in the mid-twentieth century did more than reshape the political balance of the Middle East; for millions of Christians, it was received as the fulfillment of biblical promises. Today, the strong support Israel enjoys in American politics rests not only on strategic interests, but also on a distinctive phenomenon where faith and politics converge—the influence of evangelical Christians.
Evangelical Christians believe that a strong Israel is an integral part of God’s plan. This conviction directly shapes their voting behavior. With more than 70 million evangelicals in the United States, “Israel’s security” functions for many as both a religious duty and a political demand.
In 2018, the Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. For evangelicals, this was more than a diplomatic move—it was the manifestation in policy of a long-prayed-for hope.
Since the Cold War, Israel has been regarded as a key American ally in the Middle East. Evangelicals present this partnership not only in military or economic terms, but also as a divine mandate. In their view, defending Israel is inseparable from America’s own moral and national security.
Large Christian organizations—especially Christians United for Israel (CUFI)—pair political advocacy with humanitarian work. Their message is straightforward: “The Jewish people will never stand alone.” This stance undergirds both a global fight against antisemitism and durable support for Israel in U.S. politics.
Many evangelicals hold that the return of Jews to the Land of Israel helps prepare the way for the Second Coming of Christ. This belief sometimes yields uncompromising policy positions—for example, support for Jewish communities in the West Bank and a hard line toward Iran.
Support for Israel is rooted not only in theology, but also in political power and geopolitical interests. When faith becomes policy, the result is clear: American Middle East policy is shaped, in part, by the prayers and political influence of evangelicals.
Thus, the question “Why do Christians support Israel?” has no single answer. It is the intersection of biblical promises, electoral politics, and global strategy—a crossroads that is likely to steer world affairs for years to come.
Photo from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington D.C, United States: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93United_States_relations#/media/File%3AIsrael_CHOD_visit_150108-D-HU462-018_(16231906515).jpg
