'Christians should rejoice in Jewish return to Holy Land': ICEJ fires back after Jerusalem church leaders call Christian Zionism a ‘damaging ideology’

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) hit back against the heads of several traditional churches in Israel who attacked Christian Zionism in a joint statement on Saturday.

The statement condemned individuals outside their denominations who, it said, “advance damaging ideologies,” pointing to Christian Zionism as an example.

Though it was first published by the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate – and later also by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate – it did not specify which specific churches endorsed the statement, which was only signed by the "Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in the Holy Land."

At the time of publication, the information did not appear on the website or the social media accounts of the Latin (Roman Catholic) Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The statement went on to say that such people “may harm the Christian presence in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East.” 

“Recent activities undertaken by local individuals who advance damaging ideologies, such as Christian Zionism, mislead the public, sow confusion, and harm the unity of our flock,” the statement read. 

It also stated: “These undertakings have found favor among certain political actors in Israel and beyond who seek to push a political agenda which may harm the Christian presence in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East” and expressed concern that “these individuals have been welcomed at official levels both locally and internationally.” 

The undersigned Heads of Churches in Jerusalem “alone represent the Churches and their flock in matters pertaining to Christian religious, communal, and pastoral life in the Holy Land,” it added.

Notably, the statement neither defined what it sees as Christian Zionism, nor provided any rebuttal of this widely-held view among Evangelical Christians, instead relying on the claim to be the singular representatives of the churches in the Holy Land. 

On Tuesday, the ICEJ responded to the statement, taking issue with the charge of Christian Zionism as a damaging ideology. 

“As Christians, we adhere to a Zionism that is purely biblical in origin, belief, scope and practice – reflecting our sincere faith convictions and not shifting political objectives,” the ICEJ response said. 

“The promised restoration of Israel in modern times enjoys ample biblical credentials in both the Old and New Testaments,” it continued. “The Jewish return to the Land of Israel both reflects and affirms the faithful nature and character of God to always keep His sworn covenant promises, thereby strengthening the Christian faith rather than damaging or undermining it.” 

The ICEJ noted that the belief in the "promised Jewish return to Zion has been taught and embraced by many devout Christians throughout the Church age.” 

“Christian Zionism thus predates Supersessionism and will survive its passing,” the ICEJ emphasized. 

It also noted that even high-ranking figures within the Catholic Church have supported “Biblical Zionism,” citing the example of Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, Archbishop of Vienna, who expressed his support for Biblical Zionism during a speech at the Hebrew University in 2005. 

"Only once in human history did God take a country as an inheritance and give it to His chosen people," Schoenborn said while visiting the Hebrew University with an Austrian delegation. 

Schoenborn also said that Christians should “rejoice in the return of Jews to the Holy Land as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy,” while also calling for more to be done to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

Finally, the ICEJ blasted the heads of churches for airing theological disputes via press statements.

“Our shared Christian Scriptures counsel that it is better to address any differences we may have about doctrine and beliefs firstly in direct dialogue among brethren, rather than through the media,” it concluded. 

It remains unclear what prompted the attack by several heads of Jerusalem churches against Christian Zionism.

However, several news outlets noted that a recent report by the "Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem" decried “threats to Christian heritage – particularly in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank, and Gaza alongside issues of unjustified taxation – are the source of ongoing concerns that threaten the existence of the community and the churches.”

The report also called to “protect Christian communities, and our places of worship extend throughout the West Bank, where settler attacks increasingly target our churches, people and properties”.

Joint statements in the name of the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches are regularly shared by most leaders of major traditional churches in Jerusalem, including the Roman Catholic Church, various Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, as well as the Anglican and Lutheran churches.

Most of these churches serve Arabic-speaking communities in Israel, Judea and Samaria, and are generally critical of Israel and its government.