For decades, Christians in the United States have been among Israel’s most steadfast friends. They have visited the country, supported Israeli communities and charities, defended the Jewish state in public life, challenged antisemitism and understood the Jewish return to the ancestral homeland as an event of profound historical and religious significance.

Israel has long recognized and valued this friendship, building important relationships with churches, pastors, Christian organizations and faith leaders across the United States. Today, Israel’s public diplomacy is increasingly highlighting another powerful dimension of that relationship: the remarkable success story of Christians in Israel itself.

This is both timely and necessary, because Israel’s enemies understand the strategic importance of Christian support. Anti-Israel activists are making a concerted effort to penetrate churches, Christian universities, religious conferences and younger Christian audiences. Their aim is to turn a natural constituency of support for Israel into one that is divided, uncertain or even hostile.

They frequently employ the language of human rights, liberation theology and social justice to present Israel as an enemy of Christianity. Some attempt to separate Christianity from its Jewish roots, portray Jesus as a “Palestinian,” erase the Jewish history of the biblical landscape and suggest that Israel is responsible for the struggles of Christians throughout the region.

This is not merely........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)