Shifting Dynamics in U.S. Conservative Support for Israel
Support for Israel among U.S. conservatives, historically strong, is exhibiting changes. Jackson Lahmeyer, an evangelical pastor and founder of Pastors for Trump, has noted that evangelical Christians in America have largely been proponents of Israel and Jewish people, attributing this stance to their evangelical faith. Recently, Lahmeyer observed a shift in the discourse surrounding Israel, particularly in online environments.
Influential Figures and Commentary
Several influential figures, including Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have articulated positions concerning Israel. Last week, Tucker Carlson interviewed Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist. During the discussion, Carlson stated, "I've always thought it's great to criticize and question our relationship with Israel because it's insane and it hurts us. We get nothing out of it, I completely agree with you there." Fuentes also made antisemitic statements regarding American Jews' loyalty.
Generational Trends in Support
Opposition to Israel within conservative circles predates recent observations. A Pew Research Center poll indicated that conservatives under 50 are increasingly skeptical of Israel. Over a three-year period, negative views within this demographic increased from 35% to 50%. This trend could potentially affect the military and foreign aid Israel receives from the U.S. Daniel Hummel, a historian at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, noted that for over a decade, Israel's primary political backing in the U.S. has originated from Christian conservatives. Hummel stated that this demographic currently represents the "last bastion of organized, large-scale national support for Israel."
Historical and Religious Foundations of Support
Christian support for Israel is rooted in biblical interpretation. Lahmeyer conveyed that many evangelical Christians believe God's covenants with the Jewish people, as described in the Old Testament, remain in effect. Support for the modern state of Israel is viewed as honoring this divine will, with some evangelicals also believing the return of Jewish people to Israel is a prerequisite for the second coming of Christ.
Hummel detailed the growth of Christian support for Israel since its establishment in 1948. Notable evangelical figures like Billy Graham visited Israel in the 1960s, and by the 1980s and 1990s, organizations such as the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition had become supporters. Following the 9/11 terror attacks, evangelical support escalated, significantly with the formation of Christians United For Israel (CUFI) in 2006. CUFI, a single-issue lobby, advocated strongly for Israel, including its settlement policies in the West Bank. Christian Zionists, driven by biblical beliefs, became central to American support for Israel, often supporting Israeli policy decisions.
Impact of the Gaza Conflict
The conflict in Gaza has contributed to a decline in support for Israel among evangelical Christians over the past two years, according to Lahmeyer. Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland, affirmed this observation through public opinion tracking. His research indicates that among evangelicals aged 18-34, 32% sympathize with Israel over Palestinians, a figure more than 30 points lower than older generations. Support among Republicans in the same age range stands at 24%.
This shift in sentiment has been observed to encourage existing critics of Israel on the right. Influencers such as Candace Owens and Stephen Bannon have publicly voiced criticisms of Israel. Curt Mills, editor of the American Conservative Magazine, suggested that these personalities are responsive to an audience expressing frustration and anger concerning the Gaza conflict and advocating for reduced U.S. entanglement in new wars, particularly in the Middle East. Concerns have also been raised regarding the perceived influence of Israel on U.S. military decisions.
Antisemitic Rhetoric and Theological Divides
Some influential figures have utilized the context of the conflict to disseminate antisemitic narratives. Last month, podcaster Candace Owens discussed a meeting between Israeli Prime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. social media influencers, stating, "Two years ago, the mere idea that you might share a perspective that Jews are controlling the media, that would be considered antisemitic. You would be called a Jew hater. Fast forward to 2025, and Bibi Netanyahu is now hosting an on-camera meeting." Nick Fuentes, during his appearance on Carlson's show, promoted ideas including that Jewish people naturally dislike Europeans and prevent America from unifying.
Hummel noted that a portion of this antisemitism is intertwined with theological differences regarding Israel. He stated that many conservative opponents of Israel are Catholic or non-evangelical Protestants, who do not share the theological perspective of a sacred covenant between God and the Jewish people. Some individuals, like Fuentes, are reintroducing historical Christian conspiracy theories about Jewish people.
Future Implications
The long-term implications of these trends for the relationship between America and Israel remain uncertain. The Trump administration has maintained broad support, with Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, serving as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Telhami indicated that while shifts in public opinion do not directly guarantee policy changes, a departure from uniform support for Israel on the American right is evident.