Latest news with #JohnHagee
New York Post
12-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Christians United for Israel offers support where many fail: ‘Not going to allow Jewish people to suffer on our watch!'
We've been looking for love in all the wrong places. As a Jew, I was moved to tears last week at the Christians United for Israel annual summit in Oxon Hill, Md. Passionate support for the Jewish people from speakers and crowds was palpable —and overwhelming. 'In recent weeks, we have seen Jews murdered on the streets and Jewish businesses ransacked here in America . . . it's shameful,' Pastor John Hagee said from the podium. 'We are not going to allow the Jewish people to suffer on our watch!' 5 Pastor John Hagee recently gave an emotional speech at the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) convention. CUFI A good thousand people jumped out of their seat at the Gaylord Convention Center, just over 10 miles from Washington, DC, and cheered, many waving Israeli and American flags. The 20th annual CUFI summit, which ended July 2, was a three-day lovefest for the Jewish people and the Bible that culminated with lobbying at the Capitol. CUFI is a political powerhouse and growing, with nearly 11 million members nationwide. Its singular issue: Undying support for Israel. The romping, roaring Zionism at CUFI is awe-inspiring — especially after watching social justice groups, from environmentalists to pro-choice activists, close ranks against us, post-Oct. 7. That betrayal came after decades of support by Jewish organizations and even synagogues. Meanwhile, true friends have been standing with us ever since Hagee first brought together 400 evangelical pastors to his San Antonio church in 2006 to ignite a cohesive Christian movement around the affirmation of Jews and Israel, as part of a strict interpretation of the Bible. 'This relationship could not be more kosher,' said CUFI co-executive director and rabbi Shari Dollinger. 'CUFI is non-conversionary. CUFI is non-partisan. And CUFI unilaterally supports the Israeli government. I've been here for 18 years and I have never once been proselytized to.' 5 Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son was abducted by Hamas on October 7 and murdered, was one of several speakers at the convention. CUFI In the Jewish community, fear runs deep of Christian violence and blood libels, something CUFI leaders acknowledge and address head-on. Replacement theology — the belief that Christians and the church have replaced Jews and Israel in God's covenants — is seen as another threat. Those beliefs have been officially disavowed by mainline churches such as United Methodist and Evangelical Lutheran, although complete rejection of the theology varies among congregations. CUFI has always been in direct — and even combative — opposition to replacement theology. At the summit, that distinction was reiterated dozens of times by many speakers. 'The Bible is proof of God's eternal, unshakeable love of Israel and the Jewish people is all through the Scripture,' Hagee said in a speech. 'Jesus Christ is — and always will be — a Jewish rabbi.' Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told The Post after his Tuesday night speech at CUFI that the organization is uniquely 'vocal and public about their support' for Israel. 'You don't hear the ifs and the buts.' CUFI's success lathers up the anti-Israel actors. At last year's summit, protesters secretly infiltrated the conference and frequently disrupted Hagee's address, only to be hustled out by Prince George's County police as attendees shouted, joyfully, 'Israel lives! Israel lives!' 5 The convention's enthusiastic audience waved both Israeli and American flags. CUFI That, too, was a stirring moment, considering how so many Jewish events get derailed by a clutch of keffiyeh-wearing hecklers. The only security breach this year was when two long black banners reading 'CUFI Kills' and 'No God Bombs Children' temporarily dropped from balconies in the hotel atrium before hotel security yanked them down. Hagee, undaunted, told attendees: 'Our security team ha s caught 30 hardcore protesters trying to invade this meeting. We are not afraid of you thugs who think you can muscle your way into this organization and distract us. If a line has to be drawn, draw that line around Christians and Jews. We are one!' The crowd roared. In response to surging antisemitism in K-12 schools and universities, CUFI has doubled the size of its youth outreach team to 11 people, who work to mobilize more Christian kids to advocate for their Jewish peers. That initiative is proving fruitful. More than 200 high school students and 300 university students attended the summit, an all-time high. 5 A security breach, in which banners reading 'CUFI Kills' and 'No God Bombs Children' were temporarily dropped from balconies, did not deter convention-goers and speakers. Provided to NY Post Israeli-American Uriel Appel, a junior at University of Maryland at College Park, came to thank CUFI students whom he said were instrumental in beating back student-led Israel-boycott resolutions. 'CUFI has been our best friends on campus,' he told me. CUFI kids say they're all in. 'Jewish students are scared on campus, and me, as a Christian, I'm their ally,' Texas Wesleyan University student Arianna-Rosie Bourgoin told me. 'We're not the same people back in the day, from the Holocaust, from the Crusades. We're different. And we're stronger together.' The brash Zionism at CUFI is refreshingly, well, unneurotic. Hot pink T-shirts with 'Zionist' in a big font sold out early. 'The Bible is proof of God's eternal, unshakeable love of Israel.' Pastor John Hagee 'Jews are lot more self-conscious. We don't want to offend anyone or say anything that could be deemed as radical because we don't want to be seen as religious zealots,' Appel told me. 'They don't have that concern.' Although there's no official tally, organizers and longtime Jewish attendees say more Jews attended this conference than ever before. Demand for kosher food was so high this year, a separate luncheon was held for about 100 attendees. Still, if pro-Israel Jews intend to meet pro-Israel Christians halfway, we have a long way to go. Ken Marcus, former Trump appointee and founder of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, told The Post after his CUFI speech, 'It's a shame that some in the Jewish community are reluctant to accept some of the warmest and truest offers of support we have.' 5 One of the panels at the conference focused on the families of hostages. CUFI Here's an idea: Let's show up for the people who show up for us. Let's push back against anti-Christian bigotry in Jewish circles the way CUFI pushes back against anti-Jewish bigotry in Christian circles. Let's put to bed old, inaccurate fears that every evangelical is out to convert or replace us. And let's converge — en masse! — at the 2026 CUFI conference. Tickets are on sale now for $75 through August before they jump to $200 — the Anti-Defamation League by comparison charged $550 for tickets to its conference this year. We will dance down the aisles to 'Shalom Aleichem' — peace be upon you — and sing the American and the Jewish national anthems with our very best friends. I'll bring my new T-shirt that says 'CUFI: Game changer, planet shaker, friend and defender of Israel.'
Fox News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed' Newsletter: Evangelicals with Trump in support of Israel's war on Iran
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world. IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER: - Evangelical leaders praise Trump's support for Israel amid war with Iran- DeSantis-sponsored rescue flights evacuate 1,500 Jewish Americans from Israel- 'Globalize the intifada' phrase stirs tensions on NYC campaign trail TOP STORY: Some of the most influential evangelical leaders in the U.S. told Fox News Digital that they believe President Donald Trump's support for Israel is unwavering as the Jewish state finds itself at war with Iran. Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, which numbers 10 million members, said, "I do not think President Trump will allow himself to be played by Iranian negotiators or American isolationists. VIDEO: Americans Against Antisemitism founder Dov Hikind joins 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss the latest on escalating tension between Israel and Iran and the possible role the U.S. could play as both nations trade missile strikes. WATCH HERE: RON TO THE RESCUE: As violence escalates in Israel during its conflict with Iran, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is dispatching four planes to evacuate 1,500 stranded Americans. Mano Maritime cruise ship Crown Iris picked up the evacuees in Ashdod, Israel, and took them on a 13-hour steam trip to Lanarca, Cyprus. Most passengers were from a program called Birthright Israel, which provides educational trips to the Holy Land. BIG APPLE BIGOTRY: Middle East tensions seeped onto the New York City campaign trail this week as President Donald Trump considers striking Iran. Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani refused to support banning the phrases "Globalize the intifada" and "From the river to the sea", comparing that leadership style to Trump. See what rival Andrew Cuomo had to say. HARDENING TARGETS: The NYPD ramped up security at Jewish sites across New York City after Israel launched strikes on Iran, kicking off a new war in the Middle East. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are increasing security at houses of worship and at Israeli diplomatic sites,' Mayor Eric Adams wrote on X. "I am praying for peace in the region." UN REPORT BLASTS ISRAEL: A new UN report accuses Israel of committing "the crime against humanity of extermination." Israel is restricting religious freedoms at holy sites in Jerusalem by subjecting Palestinians to "increased security checks, checkpoints, harassment and assault. DEGREES OF HATE - Recent UCLA graduate Isabella Brannon writes about how her Humanities commencement and others at the school were marred by blatant antisemitism, while students cheered and faculty stood by. GUEST EDITORIAL: Helena Ivanov, an associate research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, writes that unchecked misinformation on social media is helping to fuel campus antisemitism. Fabricated stories about Israel and Hamas in the wake of Oct. 7 have left students with a warped perspective on Jews and the Middle East, she found. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "They claim Jews exclude non-Jews from religious sites when the exact opposite is true. Only Israel protects freedom of religion for Christians, Muslims and Jews, while Jews have been banned and Jewish religious sites have been systematically trashed by Palestinian Arabs for a century." - Ann Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, responding to new UN report blasting Israel. - Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here. - Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to additional newsletters from Fox News here. - Want live updates? Get the Fox News app here
Fox News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Evangelical leaders praise Trump's continued support for Israel amid war with Iran
Some of the most influential evangelical leaders in the U.S. told Fox News Digital that they believe President Donald Trump's support for Israel is unwavering as the Jewish state finds itself at war with Iran. Speaking before and after the start of Israel's military campaign against the regime, the leaders highlighted the millennialong connection of the Jewish people to their historical homeland, while also emphasizing the shared values rooted in biblical teachings. The evangelical community helped deliver the White House to President Donald Trump and, therefore, believes his administration should support Israel's biblical rights to its historical heartland of Judea and Samaria, Dr. Mike Evans, founder of Friends of Zion, told Fox News Digital "We hold strongly to that stand. President Trump won because of the Evangelical vote. There are 52 million of us in America, and we are Bible believers," he continued. "Jesus said, 'You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria,'" he said. His organization claims nearly 30 million members. Evans praised the president's stance on Iran, saying, "The Trump strategy is brilliant because he's giving Iran a way out, but he's not taking it off the table that the U.S. will bomb Iran. Quite the contrary, he's made it very clear that if Iran does anything to attack U.S. bases in the Middle East or Americans, they will have hell to pay." Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, which numbers 10 million members, told Fox News Digital that Israel has long been a central concern for American evangelicals, a priority that has only intensified since the 9/11 attacks and more recently in the aftermath of Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre. For evangelical Christians, he said, support for Israel is rooted in religious conviction rather than political ideology. They view appeasement of Iran or engagement with terrorists not just as flawed policy, but as morally wrong and fundamentally evil. Just days before Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, and amid isolationist criticism against Israel, Hagee told Fox News Digital, "I do not think President Trump will allow himself to be played by Iranian negotiators or American isolationists. When it's all said and done, I believe President Trump is willing to do what it takes to ensure Iran is defanged either by enabling our strongest ally, Israel, to defend itself or otherwise." Following Israel's surprise attack on Iran, Hagee released a recorded message as part of an action alert asking his supporters to contact President Trump, thank him for his support of Israel and urge him to continue. "We must stand with Israel today and every day. Iran's future as an evil force in the Middle East is now in question. Only the people of Iran can take the country back. But Israel has opened the door for them and given the world room to breathe. Now the U.S. must take its seat at the head of the international table and stand alongside the only American ally in the free world willing to do what is necessary to protect the free world," Hagee said. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, posted about the growing threat Iran poses to both Israel and the United States on X. "Iran has said that they want to wipe Israel off the face of the map. They would also like to destroy America. Iran is a sponsor of terror … Israel has been forced into defending itself and needs our prayers," he added. "All of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him should 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem' (Psalm 122:6). Pray that this can be resolved quickly." Graham pointed to the long connection of the Jewish people to their historic homeland, while also emphasizing the shared values rooted in biblical teachings. "Most evangelical Christians believe the Bible and, of course, we believe Genesis, we believe God gave the land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and that every inch of that land belongs to the Jews," Graham told Fox News Digital. He underscored the importance of continued U.S. support for Israel, citing both strategic and democratic considerations. "The U.S. government has supported Israel since it became a nation, and for that support to continue is extremely important. It's the only democracy in the Middle East, the only place where elections are held. No one else in that part of the world has the kinds of freedoms that Israelis have," Graham said. Evans, also quoting scripture, noted that, "In Genesis chapter 12, God said, 'I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.' Evangelicals believe that pressuring Israel to give up land will bring a curse on America. If they have to choose between God's word and anyone else's, they will choose God's word," he said. Hagee also cited biblical teachings that promise blessings for those who bless Israel, framing the principle as both a spiritual conviction and a practical truth. "Consider the tangible results that cannot be denied—whether through intelligence and technology sharing or fighting on the front lines of the global war on terror, America has been blessed by supporting Israel in numerous ways. If we turn our backs on Israel, not only will God turn His back on America, but we will lose freedom's foothold in the Middle East," he told Fox News Digital. Hagee noted that the issue has become deeply personal for many in the United States, especially in light of recent antisemitic attacks on American soil. These include the terror incident in Boulder, Colorado, where an illegal Egyptian immigrant injured 15 people with Molotov cocktails during a march supporting hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as the fatal shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., which claimed the lives of two staff members from the Israeli Embassy. "We expect Congress to take up meaningful legislation aimed at combating the scourge of violent antisemitism raging across the country," Hagee said. He condemned the political delays surrounding the Antisemitism Awareness Act and the lack of progress on the Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act, which would prohibit federal agencies from engaging with companies that promote a boycott of Israel. "That Congress continues to dither here is shameful," Hagee said. For his part, Evans told Fox News digital that another issue that the Trump administration appears to be confronting aggressively: a French-Saudi-sponsored conference to push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. "We're not overly concerned, because we know the president will oppose this move at the U.N. Security Council," he said. "The United States will not back a Palestinian state at this time, as the entire premise of statehood has been based on land-for-peace—a concept that assumes Israel can secure peace by relinquishing territory. But Israelis have given up land and lost lives in the process, and it hasn't worked." "Israel is facing an existential threat and can no longer capitulate or play the land-for-peace game. Palestinians can lead a better life, as we've seen with Israeli Arabs, who have a better quality of life in Israel than anywhere else in the Middle East," Evans continued. "The only way forward is if they stop resorting to terrorism, and we believe the president supports this position of moral clarity, as do all Evangelicals."
