American Christians are closely following the Israel-Hamas war, with the majority favoring the defeat of Hamas and negotiations leading to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, a recent poll shows.
In the Lifeway Research survey, 88% of respondents said lasting peace in the region will require a mutually agreed-upon political solution negotiated by Israel and the Palestinians. About 81% said a two-state solution is one in which Israel and the Palestinians are self-governing with borders respected by all.
Nearly 9 in 10 Christians said they have kept up with news about the two-month-old conflict, which was triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ terrorist attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. Forty-four percent said they are following the events “closely.”
The evangelical research group’s survey also found that 60% of Christians say they believe “Israelis have a right to defend and protect their state,” while 47% said the nation is America’s closest ally in the region.
Survey dispels notion that Christians support Israel because of Bible prophecy
About 30% said “Israel is important for fulfilling biblical prophecy,” and 28% said the Bible instructs Christians to support Israel.
“American Christians have been following the war between Israel and Hamas, and two-thirds of those who attend church most often say their church has prayed for peace in Israel,” Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research’s executive director, said in a statement. “While a majority of American Christians support military action by Israel now, a much larger group believe lasting peace must come by mutual agreement of Palestinians and Israelis.”
Asked to define an optimal outcome to the current conflict, 56% of Christians said they want negotiations to follow, but 53% said they would first want to see Israel defeat Hamas.
About 45% of respondents said their church has prayed for peace in Israel and/or for “the peace of Jerusalem,” as recorded in Psalm 122:6.
Eighteen percent said they have heard a condemnation of the killing of civilians from the pulpit, and 15% said their congregations have condemned the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
Nine percent heard messages of support for Palestinian Christians from the pulpit, and 7% said there have been appeals to stand against the oppression of Palestinians.
“While a noticeable minority of American Christians are critical of some of Israel’s policies prior to Oct. 7, 2023, a majority have positive views of Israel and feel a strong response to the terrorist attack is warranted,” Mr. McConnell said. “Support for the defense of Israel does not supersede American Christians’ desire for civilian lives to be preserved, for negotiations to take place and to continue praying for peace.”
Lifeway Research conducted the online survey in November for The Philos Project, a nonprofit promoting Christian engagement in the Near East. It drew responses from 1,252 American Christians selected from a pre-recruited panel. Researchers said the sample provides 95% confidence that the sampling error from the panel does not exceed plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.
• Mark A. Kellner can be reached at mkellner@washingtontimes.com.
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