Modern Christians, particularly those within the United States, often show unwavering support to Israel in its various conflicts. While there are perhaps good reasons for this at times, there may also be advantages to taking a step back and attempting a more objective view of the situation.
Why do Christians support Israel?
There are variety of explanation why Christian support for Israel is so strong.
God’s chosen people
First of all, we’ve the normal view that the Israelites are God’s chosen people. While there are theological arguments about whether that also stands, there are little doubt plenty of Christians who take the view that Israel holds a special place in God’s heart and so must also hold a special place in our hearts.
Historical injustice
The western world knows full well what happened to the Jews within the Second World War and understandably wouldn’t wish to see a re-run of what remains to be widely considered the worst crime against humanity ever committed.
“They’re more like us”
This is where religion and politics mix. Many Christians see their spiritual heritage as coming from Judaism, and indeed it’s hard to disclaim that is the truth is the case. Compared to Islam, many Christians feel that Judaism is just not that distant from their very own faith.
This combined with the proven fact that Israel is effectively the one liberal democracy within the region, again making them identical to us.
This point is typically put more bluntly because the “Would you somewhat end up in a dark alley with ten Muslims or ten Jews?” query.
The problem
Added to all that is the proven fact that Israel finds itself surrounded by hostile neighbours and lives with the constant threat of terror attacks.
Critics of Israel often note that its reprisals are excessively brutal and end in large numbers of civilian casualties and destruction. Given the recent conflict in Gaza, it is difficult to disclaim that Israeli military motion may be quite devastating.
The reasonable response to that is the “What would you do then?” query. Should Israel just do what Europe does in response to constant terror attacks? (i.e. nothing) or should they really attempt to remove the deadly threat to their people?
Can any nation that takes itself seriously allow an event just like the 7 October attacks by Hamas go unanswered?
War is just not a game of football
Israel’s decision to go to war over the problem is totally comprehensible and quite probably the best one. But it also has consequences.
War inevitably results in the moral coarsening of everyone involved. What was previously unthinkable, becomes not only acceptable but maybe even righteous and desirable.
Let us take the instance of Israel’s famous exploding pager operation in Lebanon. This extraordinary attack, targeting Hezbollah’s leadership killed 42 people, but injured hundreds more. Two of the dead were children.
It probably is the case that this was probably the most efficient and “low casualty” approach to eliminating Hezbollah’s leadership structure. However, it’s also the case, that had for instance Russia done this in Ukraine, or if Iran had done it in Israel, it might have been called terrorism.
Benjamin Netanyahu apparently boasting of the attack, by presenting a golden pager to Donald Trump, strikes me as being somewhat bad taste.
Here lies the issue for Christian supporters of Israel. By cheering on all the things Israel does, the impression may be provided that Christians are the truth is cheering on the wholesale slaughter of ladies and youngsters in Gaza.
The situation is just not helped when some in Israel use allegedly genocidal language when discussing what must be done with the Palestinians in Gaza.
As Christians, we are able to support Israel and even affirm the necessity for it to take unpleasant actions to defend itself. However, we must always accomplish that while acknowledging and regretting the human tragedy that comes with it.
It may also be value acting as a “critical friend” infrequently. An actual friend will let you know what you the reality, not only cheer you on irrespective of what you do.
