The US has supported Israel throughout the war on Iran and the genocide in Gaza. Much of that backing is rooted in Washington’s long-standing regional and strategic interests.

But within the administration of President Donald Trump and beyond, prominent Christian Zionists have sometimes framed conflicts in the Middle East in biblical terms, invoking scripture to justify support for Israel.

Christian Zionism is a political and religious movement that supports the return of Jews to the Holy Land, broadly covering modern-day Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Supporters believe this fulfils biblical prophecy and will lead to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Rapture, and the “End Times”. Many Christian Zionists strongly support the state of Israel, including Israeli settlements and occupation policies.

Roots in Protestant Europe

The movement’s origins trace back to Protestant Europe after the Reformation in the 16th century. Some theologians believed Jews played a central role in biblical prophecy and the coming Messianic Age.

These ideas spread to North America with Puritan settlers. In the 19th century, Christian Zionism gained influence through Dispensationalism, led by Anglo-Irish preacher John Nelson Darby, who promoted a literal interpretation of the Bible and belief in the Rapture and Tribulation.

Influential political figures such as Lord Shaftesbury and Arthur Balfour supported the idea of Jewish return to Palestine. In the United States, preacher William Blackstone popularised similar beliefs through his bestselling 1878 book Jesus is Coming.

These ideas overlapped with Jewish Zionism, championed by Theodor Herzl in the late 19th century.

Evangelical political power

Today, Christian Zionism is most closely associated with Evangelical Christianity, particularly in the United States, where Evangelicals make up a significant political constituency.

Many live in the conservative “Bible Belt” and form a major Republican voting bloc. Prominent US political figures linked to Christian Zionism include Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Christian Zionist groups have played a major role in shaping US policy towards Israel. Christians United for Israel (CUFI), led by televangelist John Hagee, claims more than 10 million members and has lobbied heavily in favour of pro-Israel policies, including the relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem in 2018.

Donald Trump openly acknowledged Evangelical enthusiasm for the move.

Critics raise concerns

Critics argue that Christian Zionism promotes antisemitic ideas because many adherents believe Jews must ultimately convert to Christianity. Jewish and Christian scholars have criticised the movement for reducing Judaism to a temporary stage in Christian prophecy.

Rabbi Dow Marmur accused Christian Zionism of ignoring centuries of Jewish religious tradition.

Several Christian Zionist leaders have also faced criticism for hostile remarks about Judaism and Islam. Pastor Robert Jeffress claimed Judaism could not bring salvation, while Hagee controversially suggested the Holocaust occurred as part of God’s plan to return Jews to Israel.

Mainstream churches respond

Most non-Evangelical Christian denominations, including Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Lutherans and Anglicans, reject Christian Zionism.

Church leaders in Jerusalem recently condemned it for promoting division and harmful ideologies amid ongoing tensions in the region.

• Daniel Tester is an independent journalist and writer specializing in human rights, geopolitics, and UK-Israel relations. Based in the UK, his work in Middle East Eye focuses heavily on Palestine and Middle Eastern affairs.