Church leaders warned that these efforts have found support among “certain political actors in Israel and beyond”, accusing them of pushing an agenda that could undermine the Christian presence not only in the Holy Land, but across the wider Middle East
Christian Zionism and political actors in Israel have been accused by senior Christian leaders in Jerusalem of threatening the unity and future of Christianity in the Holy Land.
The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem said in a statement on Saturday that recent activities by local individuals advancing “damaging ideologies, such as Christian Zionism”, “mislead the public, sow confusion, and harm the unity of our flock”.
Political and financial support for israel coming from a powerful strand of evangelical Christianity in the United States is drawing growing concern from church leaders in Jerusalem.
The intervention comes amid growing concern among Palestinian Christians that Israel’s policies – including land confiscation, settlement expansion and pressure on church property – are accelerating the erosion of one of the world’s oldest Christian communities.
The church leaders warned that these efforts have found support among “certain political actors in Israel and beyond”, accusing them of pushing an agenda that could undermine the Christian presence not only in the Holy Land, but across the wider Middle East.
Many Christian Zionists also embrace the “prosperity gospel”, which teaches that blessing Israel brings personal and financial reward.
Critics say these beliefs translate into donations and political backing for Israel’s settlement enterprise, entrenching occupation while marginalising Palestinian Christians and undermining the historic churches of the Holy Land.
Individuals promoting these agendas have been “welcomed at official levels both locally and internationally”, according to the statement, with church leaders calling such engagement an intrusion into the internal life of the churches.
The leaders accused outside actors of disregarding the authority and responsibility of Jerusalem’s historic Christian leadership.
