Evangelical Christians come under attack as more move to oppose Israeli occupation

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

http://mondoweiss.net/2014/11/evangelical-christians-occupation

On October 26, 2014, the Jerusalem Post carried an article entitled “Bethlehem Bible College – purveyor of anti-Israel propaganda” in their Christian News section. The Rev. Alex Awad, a Baptist minister who works both for Bethlehem Bible College and The United Methodist Church, was personally named as part of “a blatant attempt to demonize Israel.” The article goes on to denounce a video the college produced on the bombing of Gaza. Though not immediately apparent, the writer of the article is on the staff of “Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting,” a controversial US based pro-Israeli organization.

That the Jerusalem Post felt it necessary to publish this frontal attack on a well known Bible college is actually a good sign.

The mainstream Israeli press, and no doubt Israeli policy makers themselves, are now having to deal with the fact that unqualified support for Israel’s territorial expansion can no longer be assumed even among US Evangelical Christians. While it is certainly true that many of the most ardent supporters of the occupation are so-called Christian Zionists, there are growing numbers of theological conservatives, including some who might be included among the “Christian Right,” who are viewing the human rights situation in the Holy Land in a far different light.

Much of this change has to do with a greater variety of trips to the Holy Land, trips that include the West Bank and encounters with an indigenous Palestinian Christian community. Tourists who in years past might have been limited to visiting Holy sites are now returning home with a sense of profound indignation at the way Palestinians have been treated. I am one such tourist myself; I’ve taken sides on this issue whereas before I was quite neutral. I also know my experience is not unique.

If Israel is even losing respect amongst the fun die here then their goose is cooked.

BDS.

[Chemisse]

1. Could the tide finally be turning?

If international sentiment swelled up against them, they might be forced to finally go forward with a 2-state agreement.

[peacebird]

2. One can always hope so.... I know i do.

[Scootaloo]

3. Well, there's a difference between evangelical, and fundamentalist

It's a venn diagram sort of thing. Almost all fundamentalists are also evangelicals, but probably most evangelicals are not fundamentalist.