Standing with Israel is an integral part of Britain’s Christian heritage. The consequences of Britain turning its back on Israel are so severe that we must bring the Biblical view of Israel into the national discussion with confidence and urgency.
The word ‘Brit’ means “covenant” in Hebrew and implies the shedding of blood in the process of ratifying an agreement. The word “Brit” is used throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, used especially for the several covenants made by God with His people, including the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob concerning the Land of Israel. Our prayer is that “Brit-ain” will be guardians and upholders of the promise God made to Israel and be faithful in keeping our own promise in standing with the Jewish people.
The Bible is the foundation in our stand with Israel and the Jewish people. Here are three reasons why the Bible must be integral to current political discourse:
1. Britain Is a Christian Country
Many Christians would agree with the statement that Britain is a Christian country. Some might believe that this was only true in the past, but no longer today. However, Judeo-Christian values undeniably form the bedrock of Great Britain.
Why did Britain choose these values as the foundation for the nation? It wasn’t simply to provide substance for pomp and ceremony. It was because the people of this nation, and its leaders, recognised that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).
Judeo-Christian values are upheld by those who fear the Lord and seek to obey His commands. The Ten Commandments, given to the Jewish people, are foundational to Britain’s moral code and legal tradition. These shared values between Christians and Jews should shape the UK’s perspective on Israel and the Jewish people.
For politicians to dismiss the Biblical foundation of Israel’s sovereignty is to reject the very beliefs upon which Britain was built; beliefs that a vast majority of British people still consider important today.
These shared values also mean that Christians should be the best friends of the Jewish people. When a nation holds onto these values intentionally, it should create the safest place for Jews outside of Israel. Britain has not chosen to be governed by secular humanism. It has not surrendered to sharia law. Rather, it has historically sought to be guided by the God of Israel.
The Bible says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is reproach to any people,” (Proverbs 14:34).
2. Israel Is a Moral Test
Britain’s decisions today will shape the UK-Israel relationship for years to come. Turning its back on Israel by rewarding the calls of jihadists not only fails to protect the Jewish state, but also weakens the spiritual and moral defences that have historically protected the United Kingdom.
Those who call for a Palestinian state may be sincere in their desire for peace. But sincerity must be tested against a moral standard.
Israel is under immense pressure by the UK to give up sovereignty in favour of a Palestinian state, while still having 50 of its people held hostage, kidnapped from their homes during the most brutal massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Contrast this with Britain’s reaction when calls were made to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The UK objected, fearing it would upset the Palestinians and hinder peace efforts. The United States ignored the protests and moved forward; Britain conceded to pressure from the Palestinians.
Yet now, Britain is telling Israel to accept a state carved out of its own land, only to appease those who have sought its destruction. Recognising a Palestinian state would reward terrorism. That fails the moral test completely.
Some argue that recognising a Palestinian state is the moral thing to do, in order to support the Palestinian people. Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, for instance, justify their stance on humanitarian grounds. But this overlooks the ongoing Palestinian terrorism that Israel has faced since its rebirth.
There is no contradiction between standing with Israel and having compassion for the people of Gaza. Christians must pray for the people of Gaza. Some may even be led to provide practical help. But that motivation must flow from Christ’s love; to see the suffering aided, and to see Palestinian Muslims find Jesus.
It must not arise from resentment toward Israel. It must not be driven by hostility toward the Jewish people. And it must not be fueled by propaganda that blames Israel for the crimes of its enemies. While Hamas leaders feast on stolen aid in underground tunnels, a faux humanitarianism, perpetuated by the media and echoed by politicians, has deceived even some in the Church.
Such self-righteousness is not real compassion when it is steeped in arrogance against the State of Israel. Worse still, it feeds the dangerous drift of the Church, already compromised by the insidious false teaching of replacement theology, away from a Biblical love for Israel.
3. The Bible Confirms Historical Fact
The view that Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people is confirmed by the Bible and historical evidence. There has been a Jewish presence in the Holy Land for over 3,000 years. The Land of Israel is the Land of the Bible.
To ignore what the Bible says about the Jewish homeland is to ignore historical fact.
For example, Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people. It has never been the capital of any other people group – not the Romans, not the Babylonians, not the Ottomans – only the Jews. Dividing Jerusalem, as a Palestinian state would effectively do, violates Biblical commands. Recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, on the other hand, is fully consistent with Scripture.
Conclusion
The Bible says in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you.” This is not a secret formula to fetch blessings. It is a revelation of God’s heart for His people and for the nations. God Himself desires to bless Israel, and He wants nations to understand how important Israel is to Him.
The command to bless Israel is essential for any nation that seeks to be blessed, because it is an act of unapologetic obedience to the Word of God.
To go against Israel is to “poke the apple of God’s eye.” That cannot happen without God responding.
Today, Britain stands at a crossroads. This historic moment for Britain will determine whether it chooses blessing or cursing. Foreign policy is never easy, and many believe the Israel-Gaza situation is the most complex issue in global politics. It’s no wonder the Bible describes Jerusalem as a “heavy stone.”
But the Bible gives clear direction. Standing with Israel could be the most straightforward foreign policy decision Britain could make.
Let us pray that the United Kingdom will get back to the Bible.
