Summary

Christian Zionism is a term that is predominantly associated with theologically conservative Christians who believe that the modern nation state of Israel is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Contemporary Christian Zionists believe that Israel’s creation in 1948, its expansion in 1967, and its flourishing are all evidence that God continues to have a special relationship with the Jewish people. Consequently, Christian Zionists assert that it is their duty as Christians to support and protect Israel, which they see as a logical extension of their evangelical identity. This support takes the form of political lobbying and providing financial support through donations, tourism, other activities in the United States and Israel. For many, the belief that God still has a special relationship with Israel also includes an emphasis on eschatology, or the end times, and the belief that Israel’s establishment is part of a series of events that will lead to large-scale war, leading to the battle of Armageddon and the return of Jesus. In the United States, there have been varying levels of politically active support for Israel from theologically diverse Christians. However, after 1967 the base of Christian Zionism in the United States was consolidated among theologically conservative evangelicals who viewed Israel in prophetic terms and interpreted events in Israel through that theological lens. Beginning in the 1970s and continuing into the 21st century, the politically active base of Christian Zionism became increasingly defined by the most conservative elements of American evangelicalism and the Christian Right. Christian Zionists were among the fiercest critics of the Obama administration, whom they argued was putting Israel in existential danger and, therefore, inviting divine punishment on the United States. Conversely, Christian Zionists, as a subset of evangelicals, were among Donald Trump’s biggest supporters, and through his Administration they achieved many of their political aspirations such as moving the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.