vitalwholeness

Along with millions of others I just watched Benjamin Netanyahu address a joint session of the American Congress. In many respects, it was a predictable moment: The old warrior made the case for an assertive defence of Israel, beseaching her chief ally, the United States, to join in common cause to protect civilization from the agents of barbarism on all sides, chiefly Iran. We will do this together, he said. We will never give up. Those who dare hurt us will pay the price. And we are very close to accomplishing this latest challenge against Hamas in Gaza, with your help.

That message was received enthusiastically by many. Afterall, Israel has been a long-standing partner in most every way. Overall, the US has stood by her resolutely. Especially militarily. Where Bibi crossed the line, however, was in painting all protesters against the prosecution of the war in Gaza as not only anti-semitic, but standing on the side of evil. Scores of citizens in Israel, the United States, and other nations around the world disagree with that assertion and do not believe that every protest is fomented by Iran and is pro-Hamas. This issue is muddier than that.

If one took a snapshot of Congressional response to the speech on the right side of the hall, the image would be one of enthusiastic unanimity. Yes, that party resonates with strongmen rhetoric and so with Netanyahu. But it is more than that. Why do they extend unqualified support to Israel, regardless of policy or practice? It has to do with a very particular sort of Zionism – Christian Zionism.

Zionism is an ethic-nationalist movement that arose in Europe in the 20th century with the aim of creating and protecting a Jewish homeland, a region corresponding to that of the land of Israel in in the Jewish tradition. That agenda included the rise of the empowered and strong Jew that would eschew victimhood. The Jewish state would provide the identiy and locale for thriving.

Christian Zionism, however, is something else. Like Jewish Zionism, Christian Zionism is committed to preserving the Jewish homeland in Palestine. But they do so for different reasons. Their motivation arises not out of altruistic concern for Israel as a people. It rather derives from a one Christian notion of the conclusion of history in which Israel needs to be reconstituted in order for it to happen. In other words, they need Israel to be established as a part of their own end-times scenario. When they advocate for Israel they are standing for something else. For them, the state of Israel is a means to another end that doesn’t have a lot to do with Israel itself.

Earlier generations of Christians saw the establishment of Israel as a moral necessity following the Holocaust. They made pilgrimage to the “Holy Land” to walk in the places cited in the Bible, both in Hebrew and Christian scriptures. But Israel was not seen as little more than a means to another end.

In more recent times a different Christian orientation has arisen in powerful quarters. Unquestioning support of Israel arises out of their eschatology and convictions about what is required to usher in the end of days. Israel is seen as a part of that chess game. Therefore, political decisions are made on the basis of serving that theological end. For example, from the point of view of Christian Zionism, a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestinian quandary is an impossibility. In this understanding, the Palestinian side of the formula is, well, beside the point. Only one thing is the point: keeping Israel established right where it is. Which means the Israel foreign aid piggy bank will always be available, even in the presence of strong humanitarian reservations.

That is why Netanyahu’s speech included explicit references to Israel and the land in the Bible; he knows very well what matters to his audience. He named the superstars every Christian would know by heart – Patriarchs, Kings, and Prophets. For Christian Zionists, this reinforces what they already believe; supporting Israel regardless is a theological mandate.

Christian Zionism is not only native to many forms of Christian fundamentalism, it has also become a plank of Christian Nationalism orthodoxy. In this religious-ideological hybrid, Christians believe that God has ordained the United States to be a Christian nation and intended a theocracy with one religion and one autocratic politic. To be a devout Christian and patriotic American means supporting Israel. Not for Israel, but for America.

When Netanyahu slyly told the story of brave college students defending the American flag from being burned at a demonstration on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza, he knew what he was doing. Immediately, the Christian Nationalists in the chamber took up the chant, “U.S.A.- U.S.A.- U.S.A.” Christianity, Israel, USA. One thing.

The current Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, is one of those, but by no means the only one. As long as he is Speaker there will be no serious consideration of Israel’s action in Gaza or any other action. Israel will not be held to the same evaluative standards as are held for other nations. The Israelis know this, of course, and play the Christian Zionists as they always have. They know that these Christians view them as a means to another end. But then again, more than one can play that game: Believe what you will about us, Christian Zionists. Just keep sending that check.