Stop unholy alliance

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s decision to relocate the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was intended first and foremost to reward evangelical Christians for their enthusiastic support for him during and after his election campaign.

The participation in Monday’s dedication ceremony of two extremist, controversial evangelical leaders, both of whom have made disparaging comments about Jews in the past, highlights this unholy alliance.

US Christian evangelical movements claim tens of millions of followers. Most believe Israel’s establishment hastens the second coming of their Messiah, and that the re-establishment of the Kingdom of Israel and the Temple are preconditions for the fulfilment of their vision: Armageddon, followed by destruction and the mass conversion of Jews to Christianity.

Their beliefs lead them to adhere to the most delusional elements in Israeli politics and to encourage Israel to adopt extremist policies that will bring them closer to their goals.

US ambassador to Israel David Friedman recently joined his Israeli counterpart, Ron Dermer, in endeavouring to make evangelicals – who support Israel’s hawkish rejectionism regarding the Palestinians – the sole foundation of US support for Israel. This further erodes Israel’s standing in its traditional power centres – above all US Jews, who view evangelicals as a threat to their values.

This dangerous wager poses a double hazard: on one hand, Israel is distancing itself from supporters it may need as soon as November in the event the Democrats win control of the US Senate or the House of Representatives.

On the other hand, nothing lasts forever: polls show that younger evangelicals oppose blind support for Israel. A responsible Israeli government would change its policy, extend a hand to forces it has neglected and wean itself off exclusive dependence on messianic Christians.