The world is turning against Israel. It’s happening right before our eyes. In just the last few days, I’ve read the following headlines:
- France temporarily halts visas for El Al security staff
- Three Arrested After Red Paint Smeared, Door Smashed at Israeli Embassy in The Hague
- Star of David necklace ripped from neck, beaten for wearing a kippah, antisemitic attack in France
- Violent Attack in Montreal Leaves Jewish Father Injured in Front of Children, Kippah Thrown to Ground
- Around 90,000 Join pro-Palestinian March in Sydney, Drawing Ire From Israeli Politicians
- Brazil to join South Africa’s ICJ ‘genocide’ case against Israel
Even more concerning is the rhetoric of Christians toward Israel. Whether it’s because of ignorance or fear of becoming a target by association, it seems that Christians are slowly turning against Israel or completely becoming silent.
On social media, I have seen Christians asking questions like:
- Are today’s Jews the biblical Jews?
- As a Christian, should I support the modern state of Israel?
- Is Israel committing genocide?
In order to take a stand, we need to be able to answer these questions. I will each one in turn.
Are today’s Jews the biblical Jews?
Yes. First, let me explain where the question originates. In 1978, Arthur Koestler published a book, The Thirteenth Tribe, and in it he argued that modern Ashkenazi Jews were not descended from the Jews of the Bible but from the Khazars (a group of people who lived north of Turkey). Ironically, Koestler was Jewish, and he wrote his book for the purpose of trying to thwart antisemitism. He thought that if he could separate today’s Jews from the Jews of the Bible, then people would not be antisemitic anymore. Instead, the opposite happened.
Koestler’s book initiated the theory that many Christians believe today: that today’s Jews are not the biblical Jews. There are several problems with Koestler’s theory. First, many Khazars did convert to Rabbinic Judaism, but it was not unlike the many other instances in history when gentiles joined themselves to the Jewish people (for example, many Egyptians joined the Israelites in the Exodus). People have converted to Judaism for centuries.
Second, the science supports the connection between the Jews in the Bible and Jews today. Dr. Karl Skorecki, a genetics expert, has worked on several genetics studies. He explains that Jews, no matter where they may be from (Europe, India, Iraq, Morocco, Lithuania), share common ancestral markers. This means that despite centuries of exile and intermarriage with local populations, Jews across the world trace their ancestry back to a common source.
As a Christian, should I support the modern state of Israel?
Yes. Christians often question this with the argument that today’s Jews are not saved. The first problem with this approach is that the Bible says the Jewish people will return to the land of Israel before they are spiritually restored. There are dozens of scriptures that show this connection. Here is one of them. (Download our free guide with dozens more of these scriptures at liftingupzion.org/resources.)
“Thus says the Lord God: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.” Ezekiel 28:25-26
The second problem with this approach is that it ignores the spiritual awakening happening in Israel today. The Caspari Research Center reports that from 1999 to 2020, the number of Messianic Jews in Israel increased from around 5,000 to 20,000. Praise the Lord! He is fulfilling His word! Supporting Israel does not mean that we have to agree with everything the government does. However, we should unequivocally support the right of the Jewish people to abide in their ancestral homeland.
Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza?
No. What is genocide? It is “the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group.” Israel has shown no intent to destroy the Palestinian people. Their war is with Hamas, a terrorist organization that uses civilians as human shields and hides in schools and hospitals. Hamas seeks to increase the number of civilian casualties for propaganda purposes.
The genocide lie is a propaganda tool to try to get Israel to stop the war with Hamas. It’s not the only lie they use. Recently, an international media campaign showed starving Palestinian children and accused Israel of starving the people. Then the truth came out: the starved-looking children suffered from genetic conditions, not starvation. For the truth on what’s happening in Israel, follow CAMERA www.camera.org.
