By Many, if not most American Christians — in particular, Christian Zionist evangelicals — support the state of Israel. However, oddly enough, this support is deeply rooted in anti-Semitism. Yes, I said it. I know that’s a lot to take in for an article’s first sentence, and it also sounds confusing. How can support be rooted in hatred or dislike? So, before you continue reading this piece, allow me make this very clear: anti-Semitism is wrong, period.
Having said that, criticism of the Israeli government and anti-Zionism rhetoric is not inherently anti-Semitic – and claiming that it is uses Jewish suffering to erase the Palestinian experience. Far too often Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and typically anyone who is pro-Palestinian is called anti-Semitic for our support for the liberation of Palestinians, the end of illegal occupation by Israel, and the dismantling of settler-colonialism of the Palestinian people. What is truly ironic is that more often than not, Christians, specifically Christian Zionist evangelicals, who twist criticism from pro-Palestinians into being anti-Semitic, are themselves in their theology, anti-Semitic.
What is truly ironic is that more often than not, Christians, specifically Christian Zionist evangelicals, who twist criticism from pro-Palestinians into being anti-Semitic, are themselves in their theology, anti-Semitic.
Don’t be fooled. Just because the two faiths share the Old Testament and basic watchwords of tolerance such as “love thy neighbor,” it does not change the fact that while they may display pro-Israel stances, they’re really anti-Semitic.
This may come as a shock, but Christian Zionist evangelicals support for a statehood of Israel is rooted in their own desire to trigger their religious Revelations. Zionism is backed severely by the ideologies of the “end of times Christianity.” What does this mean, you ask? It means they believe in the notion that God promised the land to Jews and that the return of Jewish rule in the Holy Land will bring about the Rapture and Second Coming, after which Jesus will restore a divine kingdom in which all Jews either become Christians or be condemned to hell. So either Jewish people’s identity as a Jew becomes erased completely or they go to hell — both of things are pretty ugly.
Fulfilling the Book of Revelations for them is far more important than the lives of even their so-called brethren — Christian Palestinians — because well, who cares about human rights and life? Who cares about Christian Palestinians, let alone any Palestinian, or even Jews, who they claim to “support,” as long as their religious prophecies come true, right?
Expediting the “end of times” at the expense of Jewish people is anti-Semitic. Yet somehow, this is glossed over by pro-Israel supporters, and within the fundamental beliefs of evangelicals. Some would say, “Why would anyone question this support?” Think of it this way: Jews are part of the story to evangelicals; they are the key to fulfilling the prophecy. And do you know what happens with the key after the door is open? You don’t need it anymore.
Jews are part of the story to evangelicals; they are the key to fulfilling the prophecy. And do you know what happens with the key after the door is open? You don’t need it anymore.
Some may realize it and some don’t, but the Jewish people are a pawn in the overall picture to Christian Zionists. The number of Jews in the world, and the number of evangelicals is not equal. There are far more evangelical Zionists than there are Jews. In fact, the entire basis and vision behind Zionism was nurtured and shaped by Christians long before it gained Jewish support — and this is not a coincidence.
We often hear how Israel controls U.S. foreign policy, but it’s really a dual relationship. Israel’s entire existence is based on the billions of dollars in funding that they receive from the U.S. government. Political traditions regarding Israel are embedded into the fabric of this country: new Congress members are expected to visit Israel within the first year of their term. Further, every presidential candidate is expected to make a speech before AIPAC. In fact, evangelicals are the biggest supporters of of AIPAC. They use Jews as pawns in the pursuit of their own agenda.
Every president in United States history has understood the impact evangelicals have on their victory. Just look at when Trump moved the embassy to Jerusalem. That move had a specific purpose, which further enhanced the crippling grip that evangelicals have, not only within the U.S., but in furthering their own apocalyptic agenda in Israel. In a speech Trump made after announcing the move of the embassy he said, “You know, it’s amazing with that – the evangelicals are more excited by that than Jewish people. That’s right, it’s incredible.”
Let’s get something straight: Christian Zionist evangelicals don’t really care for Jews. In fact, they want them out of the U.S. and to go elsewhere. And where would they want the Jews to go? Israel — even at the expense of the Palestinian people. It was made this way by design prior to 1948.
So you may be asking yourself, “How does this help Jews?” Here’s the short answer: it doesn’t. And there are many Jewish people who have realized this. There are groups of Jews who deny the statehood of Israel and protest against the illegal occupation because they do not believe in furthering Christian Zionist evangelicals, and they believe that Israel will be the downfall of Judaism.
We often hear how Israel controls U.S. foreign policy, but it’s really a dual relationship. Israel’s entire existence is based on the billions of dollars in funding that they receive from the U.S. government.
In order for us to dismantle U.S. foreign policy and funding to Israel’s oppressive occupation, we need to root out Christian Zionist evangelicals who control the way in which this country functions — and who are anti-Semitic themselves.
Politically, Christian Zionist evangelicals share the same ideals as right-wing anti-Semites. So, before you, as a non-Palestinian, non-Arab, and current non-ally think to criticize those whom criticize the Israeli government and call for an end to the occupation, ethnic-cleansing, and apartheid against Palestinians — or, criticize Muslims, claiming they’re anti-Semitic — check yourself. Realize the real issue is the cyclical, volatile, and dangerous form of apocalyptic Christian Zionist beliefs that moves rapidly from filo-Semitism to hating Jews, which is far more dangerous to Jews than Palestinians ever will be.