Evangelicals Urge Trump to Support Israel’s Claim on the West Bank

A coalition of evangelical Christians, who largely supported Donald Trump in the 2016 elections, are advocating for U.S. policy changes that would endorse Israel's claims over the West Bank. The push comes amid growing tensions over the land seen as essential for a potential Palestinian state.

Evangelical Christian leaders who contributed to President Trump's electoral success are now urging him to endorse Israel's claim to the West Bank. This direction is rooted in the belief that the territory was divinely given to the Jewish people as per Biblical promises, a claim gaining traction among Trump's supporters.

Since Israel's capture of the land from Jordan during the 1967 conflict, the region has been a focal point of contention and is viewed by many advocates of a two-state solution as a future Palestinian homeland. In recent years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has intensified settlement construction in the area, further complicating matters.

A group of influential evangelical figures, including Ralph Reed and Tony Perkins, has taken this issue to the forefront, utilizing various strategies to influence Trump’s stance. Their efforts range from high-profile visits to Israel and direct petitions to the White House, to advocacy at pivotal evangelical gatherings aimed at bolstering support for their cause in Congress.

During a visit to Jerusalem, Mario Bramnick, a key supporter and pastor, expressed his conviction that divine support grants Israel a "blank check" over the West Bank. This movement is a part of the broader Christian Zionism ideology which interprets the modern state of Israel as a fulfillment of Biblical prophecies.

As these leaders continue to advocate for policy changes, the ramifications may extend far beyond U.S.-Israel relations and pose significant implications for the prospects of Palestinian independence and peace in the region.