10 Points Why America Should Not Distance Herself From Israel

Someone recently sent me a clip of a young man on the right sharing his concern about America aligning itself with Israel as an ally: “Their religion (does) not agree with OURS,” he claimed. He insinuated that Israel supports the “prosecution” of Christianity (I’m pretty sure he meant “persecution.”) I want to respond with both truth and clarity. (https://www.instagram.com/p/DQbQfjujSvA)

1. A FALSE ASSUMPTION ABOUT AMERICA

First, his statement assumes that every American is a Christian. That’s simply not true. America is made up of people of many faiths—Muslims, Hindus, Jews, atheists, and others. Yes, the majority of Americans still identify with Christianity, but we are not a theocracy. America has always been a diverse nation with freedom of religion as a core value. Through Spirit enhanced persuasion, we seek to bring others without coercion to faith.

So even on that level, his argument breaks down.

2. A FALSE ASSUMPTION ABOUT ISRAEL

Second, he assumes that everyone in Israel is Jewish. That’s also false. Israel is home to Muslims, Christians, Druze, and secular people, as well as Jews. In fact, Israel’s Arab citizens—roughly 20% of the population—have more freedom of worship and political participation than anywhere else in the Middle East.

So, no, Israel is not a uniform “Jewish-only” state. It is a democracy, and yes, even atheists live there.

As a Messianic Jew living in Israel, I can say the government does not support the persecution of Christians—not the thousands of Arab Christians or Jewish believers. Yes, there is resistance from a minority of radicals in the Ultra Orthodox community, but that is not State-sponsored persecution like you would see in Iran or other Islamic nations.

3. THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE OF THE REMNANT

But here’s the real issue—the biblical one. He clearly doesn’t understand the biblical principle of the remnant.

Throughout Scripture, God preserves a faithful minority through whom He blesses the whole. Right now, in Israel, there are roughly 30,000 Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus)—men and women who worship Him as Messiah and Lord.

Paul explains this mystery in Romans 11:13–16:

“I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.”

As Messianic theologian Mark Kinzer points out, the remnant of Jewish believers is not an exception but the evidence of God’s enduring covenant with Israel and they have an intercessory roll. “Paul calls this portion ‘the remnant’ and describes it as a representative and priestly component of Israel that sanctifies Israel as a whole.” ¹

The holiness of the remnant sanctifies the whole nation, just as the root sanctifies the branches. This enables God to bless Israel, based on the obedience of the remnant.

4. WITHOUT THE JEWISH PEOPLE, THERE WOULD BE NO JESUS

Let’s get something straight: without the Jewish people, you would have no Jesus, no apostles, and no Bible—no salvation. God raised up Abraham and his seed to bring the Messiah into the world—the Savior of all creation.

As Paul says in Romans 11:28–29:

“As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are beloved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”

Even in unbelief, Israel remains beloved. God’s covenant is not canceled; His calling stands forever.

5. THE HEART OF JESUS TOWARD ISRAEL

Jesus Himself wept over Jerusalem. In Matthew 23:37–39, He said to the Orthodox Jews of Jerusalem:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings—but you were not willing… You will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

In Hebrew, those words are Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai (Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord)—the same words we use to welcome someone to our homes today. Jesus was saying He will not return until Jerusalem welcomes Him as Messiah.

That means the salvation of Israel is tied to His return.

6. GOD’S EVERLASTING PROMISE

The Bible commands all believers to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

In Genesis 12:3, God told Abraham:

“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.”

That promise still stands. To bless Abraham includes blessing his descendants—the Jewish people. Genesis 17:7 states that this is “an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you.” Many of those who embrace fulfillment or replacement theology, want to delete this very clear statement from the Bible or at least reinterpret it. But not only is the text clear, history has proven it to be true. Ask Haman (from the story of Esther).

To curse them is to invite judgment.

7. THE FOLLY OF ANTISEMITISM AMONG CHRISTIANS

How strange—and tragic—it will be for the Jew-hating “Christian” (if such a thing could even exist) when Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, returns for His bride.

Some might say, “Well, He’s not Jewish anymore.” Really? Scripture calls Him the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5), and Judah is where the word “Jew” comes from! He is still the seed of David (Rom 1:3), and He will return as Israel’s King.

Jesus is not coming back for an antisemitic bride.

8. CRITICISM OF ISRAEL VS. CONTENDING FOR ISRAEL

Now, this doesn’t mean we blindly agree with everything the Israeli government does. Like any other nation, Israel’s leaders are human and fallible. But as believers, we are called not to condemn Israel, but to contend for her salvation.

Paul expressed the heart of God in Romans 9:3-4:

“For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race. The people of Israel.”

That is the heart of intercession—a love willing to sacrifice for the salvation of Israel. Could God’s desire for Israel be any more clear? And Paul writes this to the Gentile church in Rome, to warn them against persecuting the Jewish believers coming back from exile—which was happening.²

9. GOD’S PURPOSE THROUGH ISRAEL

God didn’t choose Israel because He loved them more than others. He chose them for the sake of the nations. Through Israel came the Messiah who died for the sins of the world.

As Isaiah says, Israel was called to be “a light to the nations.” The story of Israel is God’s story of love—for every human being.

10. A FINAL WORD

History has proven that those who bless Israel are blessed, and those who attack her come under judgment.

So, no, supporting Israel is not about political favoritism or racial superiority (God forbid!)—it’s about standing with the God who keeps His covenant and fulfills His Word. Sadly, this young man is theologically deficient and has no idea that the Bible he professes to believe predicts an End Time awakening in Israel (Hos. 3:5, Rev. 1:7, Rom. 11:26).

As Paul warns in Romans 11:18:

“Do not boast against the branches. If you do, remember: you do not support the root, but the root supports you.”

If you truly claim to follow Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, then your posture toward His people should reflect His heart—one of love, prayer, and longing for redemption, not rejection. But here is what we see happening: the formation of not only leftist, pro-Hamas/anti-Israel rhetoric, but right-wing antisemitic hate. While it was left-wing antisemitism that flourished in the former Soviet union, it was right-wing Jew-hatred that thrived in Germany, which led to Hitler and the Holocaust. It started with rhetoric, not rifles. Dehumanization came before the death camps. And the sad part today is that the rhetoric is coming out of the mouth of those who profess to believe in the Jew, dare I say, the Israeli, Yeshua

[1] Mark S. Kinzer, Postmissionary Messianic Judaism: Redefining Christian Engagement with the Jewish People (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2005), 151, Kindle edition.

[2] Claudius had exiled all Jews in the year 49 CE from Rom. In 54 CE Nero allowed them to come back. However, the Roman believers were treating them like second class believers, and this provokes Paul to write the book of Romans.