Is Israel Losing Evangelical Support from the West?

Why one of Israel’s strongest alliances is under new pressure

Evangelical Christians have long been among Israel’s most steadfast allies, numbering over 80 million in the United States and influencing both politics and culture. Yet shifting generational attitudes, new media debates, and theological disputes are raising questions about whether that support can be sustained for the future.

A Strong History of Evangelical Support for Israel

For decades, American evangelicals have been among Israel’s most reliable allies. Surveys show that between 25 and 30 percent of U.S. adults identify as evangelical or born-again Christians, representing more than 80 million people. Within this community, support for Israel has often reached overwhelming levels.

A 2017 Lifeway Research survey found that 67 percent of evangelicals expressed a strong connection to Israel, rooted largely in biblical conviction. Yet recent debates in American media suggest this once unshakable alliance is facing new pressures.

Evangelical Support Under Pressure

Yet in recent years, some critics have emerged, including prominent voices such as Tucker Carlson. Tucker Carlson, for example, recently challenged Senator Ted Cruz by suggesting that the biblical covenant applied to ancient Israel alone.

Arguments like this attempt to weaken the traditional scriptural foundation of evangelical support, which for decades has been central to sustaining Israel’s place in American political life.

Reaching the Next Generation

Generational shifts may pose an even greater challenge. Polling by the Pew Research Center in 2021 found that younger evangelicals are significantly less supportive of Israel than older generations.

Among evangelicals under 30, support for Israel dropped from 69 percent in 2018 to just 33 percent in 2021. Recognizing this trend, programs such as Passages were established to bring young evangelicals to Israel. Modeled in part on Birthright for Jewish students, Passages trips include encounters with both Israelis and Palestinians to provide a more nuanced picture and to counteract anti-Israel narratives found on many campuses.

In this portion of the One Jewish State podcast, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman speaks with best-selling author and former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren about the state of evangelical support for Israel.

The Theological Battle

Beyond generational change, a broader theological struggle is also unfolding. The Palestinian Authority has repeatedly denied Jewish historical ties to Jerusalem, even questioning the existence of the First and Second Temples.

For Christians, these denials are not merely political but theological, since the New Testament itself assumes the Temple’s existence. Oren argues that attempts to erase Jewish history are in fact attacks on Christianity as well, highlighting the shared roots of both faith traditions.

Shared History and Shared Destiny

Despite these challenges, the case for a continued alliance remains strong. Jewish prayer and liturgy remain rooted in the covenant with Abraham, the same covenant cherished in Christian scripture. Evangelical support is not simply political; it reflects a deep spiritual connection across thousands of years of history. For many, this continuity makes clear that the Jewish people who live in Israel today are the same people who stood at Mount Sinai.

Looking Ahead

The future of evangelical support for Israel will depend on both preserving theological conviction and engaging younger generations with firsthand experience.

The alliance has already shaped American policy for decades and remains one of Israel’s strongest assets abroad. Ensuring its vitality is not only about politics but about preserving a shared story that binds Jews and Christians across generations.