Among American Christians, a positive view of the modern State of Israel has never been a hundred percent. Yet among today’s younger generations, it has been dropping precipitously. A Lifeway survey conducted just after the October 7 massacre (lttl.pw/israel-survey) showed that while 22% of Christians over age 65 have a negative perception of Israel, that number has risen to 42% among Christians aged 18-29. Less than half (48%) of Christians in this age group even believe the fact that Hamas attacked and killed 1,400 people that day. And a solid majority (59%) believe that “armed rebellion of Palestinians against Israel is a natural response of people who have been mistreated by the state of Israel.” In short, Christian support for the State of Israel is deteriorating… fast.

So why should Christians and Messianics even care what goes on in the foreign State of Israel? Other than concerns about whether or not peace in the Middle East impacts our safety here at home—with the State of Israel being our only ally in the region—what does it even matter? It matters because caring about Israel isn’t about agreeing with or supporting a geo-political entity, or a government, or a war, or—in a manner of speaking—even the Land itself. Rather, it’s always been about caring for, loving, and supporting a people: God’s chosen people, the people of Israel, the Jewish people. Indeed, according to the Scriptures, “Israel” is not a place, but a people.

The modern State of Israel is home to nearly half of the entire world’s Jewish population, with Jews comprising about three-quarters of the country’s population. To hate the nation-state of Israel, then, is to literally hate half of the whole world’s Jews—half of “Israel.” False propaganda aside, while no people-group is perfect, believers in Yeshua ought to naturally afford the Jewish people in general special consideration, merely for the fact that they have been, and always will be, God’s uniquely-selected people.

For you [Israel] are a holy people to Adonai your God. Adonai your God has chosen you to be to Him for a people, a distinctive treasure, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the ground of the earth. Not because of your being more numerous than any of the peoples has Adonai set His affection on you and chosen you, for you are the least of all the peoples, but because of Adonai’s loving you. (Deut. 7:6-8, mjlt)

To ignore or reassign this significant distinction of Israel is to ignore the will, love, and affection of God. His adoption of Gentile believers in Yeshua does not diminish or cancel the unique relationship He has with Israel. In Isaiah 43:1, Adonai said, “having formed you, O Yis’rael… I have called you by name—you are Mine.” The people of Israel belong to God in a way that no other single people group ever has, or ever will.

But in order for believers to truly care about Israel, that love and concern must definitionally expand beyond the borders of the modern nation-state. Because “Israel” exists outside Israel in the Jewish people of the Diaspora.

Remember that only in the last century have Jews in large numbers returned to their ancestral lands. Since ancient times, the Jewish people have been dispersed among the nations (“Diaspora”). This is who Yeshua’s brother Ya’aqov (James) was writing to in his letter, as we learn from the very first verse.

From Ya’aqov… to the Twelve Tribes of Yis’rael who are in the Dispersion: Shalom. (mjlt)

Israel therefore exists everywhere that there is a nation of Jews, a ghetto of Jews, a family of Jews, or any individual Jew. Biblically speaking, the geographical location of a Jew makes no difference on his Israel-ness. This means that every Jew everywhere is due at least the same special consideration as those in the Land. It is their birthright, though some may despise it like Esau.

So if Christians should uniquely care for Israel, and every Jew everywhere is Israel, then this also further extends to include Messianic Jews and all Jewish believers in Yeshua. In Romans 11:1, Paul affirms his identity as an Israeli, proclaiming, “I say this, then: ‘Did God push away His people?’ Let it not be! Indeed, I also am a Yis’r’eliy [Israelite], of the seed of Av’raham, of the tribe of Bin’yamiyn” (mjlt); and as a Jew in Acts 21:39, saying, “I, indeed, am a man, a Y’hudiy [a Jew]” (mjlt).

Israel, then, is in your midst. Your care for the provision, protection and safety of Israel should also extend to the fellow believer who is Jewish, who is increasingly likely to experience hatred and persecution no matter where he lives, and no matter what he believes.

Christians who love Israel must understand that “Is­rael” is not as far away as one might think. While Israelis who live in the Land are a high profile target, the Jews who live in the Diaspora—including Messianic Jews—are “Israelis,” too, whether they identify that way or not. Yes, the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. Yet Jews all over the world need Christians to remember that caring about Israel isn’t just about support for a nation-state, but for the people who uniquely belong to God.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!