By Daoud Kuttab
Arab and international theologians have sounded the alarm over the dangers of Christian Zionism, calling for greater global awareness of the harm caused by distorting the Bible to justify colonialism and occupation.

At a press conference held, Saturday January 25th ,at the Baptismal site on the east bank of the Jordan River, Rev. Dr. Mitri Al-Rahab, founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, stated: “Christian Zionism is not limited to a specific group, such as evangelicals, or a specific region, such as the United States. Its danger lies in the fact that it is supported by many across most countries of the world.” He emphasized the significance of the conference, particularly its Hashemite sponsorship and its focus on the impact of Christian Zionism on Middle Eastern Christians.

The conference, patronised by Jordan’s Prince Ghazi, special advisor to King Abdullah II titled “International Consultation on understanding Christian Zionism and Its effects on Christians in the Middle East,” brought together experts, academics, and religious leaders from 17 countries. These participants specialize in fields such as religion, history, archaeology, and anthropology, with the event attended by the heads of churches in Jerusalem and Jordan. Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed, Senior Advisor to His Majesty the King for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy to His Majesty the King, the conference commenced Thursday at Al-Maghtas, a significant Christian pilgrimage site.

The conference committee included Dr. Mitri Al-Rahab; Dr. Tariq Al-Jawhari, Director General of the Royal Al-Bayt Foundation for Islamic Thought; Dr. Wasfi Kilani, Director of the Hashemite Fund for the Reconstruction of the Holy Mosque and the Dome of the Rock; Dr. Munib Younan, the former Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerusalem and Jordan; and Dr. Robert Smith, a pastor and history professor at the University of North Texas.

Dr Jack Sara president of the Bethlehem Bible College which was the first in the region to call out Christian Zionism in their Christ at the Checkpoint conferences told the conferees that it not easy being an evangelical Palestinian Christian. “The term evangelical has been marred because of the association of evangelicals with Israeli war criminals.” He called Christian Zionism “a heretical replacement theology that replaced Jesus with Israel.

Nevertheless, he insisted that he is “not ashamed to be Palestinian, even when I am told to my face that my people are a block in the way of God’s plan, and that we should leave our homeland to make room for the Jews.”

Despite his frustration, Sara who is Pastor with the Christian and missionary Alliance church in the Holy Land yet called on the conferees to “dialogue, confront, change and bring back the teaching of Jesus about peace, love and reconciliation.”

Reverand Sara called for reclaiming the true meaning of evangelical which refers to someone who carries the good news of the gospel to the world.

Retired Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan described Christian Zionism as a “heresy,” criticizing those who politicize the Bible to justify occupation and violence. Speaking to Milhilard.org he said: “This is the first time we as Christians speak in a unified and clear manner in rejecting these attempts.” He called for Western churches to oppose such misguided teachings and referred to Christian Zionists who support occupation and violence as “outcasts” from the Christian faith.

Bishop Younan described the conference as “outstanding” in its arrangement guests and program, adding: “What His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi and his team did lent seriousness and credibility to this critical work. It will help shift Christian public opinion, especially given the Trump administration’s significant inclusion of Zionist Christians in senior positions.”

Archdeacon Faeq Haddad, pastor of the Redeemer Episcopal Church in Amman, highlighted the conference’s importance in raising awareness. He told Milhilard.org: “The conference sheds light on the effects of Christian Zionism on Christians in the Middle East and aims to develop strategies to confront these impacts.”

One of the speakers reflected on his journey from being a Christian Zionist to embracing a justice-driven faith, critiquing the rise of white Christian nationalism and its ties to Christian Zionism. Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver describes (read full presentation here) how his early faith indoctrinated him with beliefs that justified oppression under the guise of biblical prophecy, noting, “Nothing is more dangerous to peace and justice than a believer holding a Bible convinced they are ordained to do the will of God.”

De La Torre emphasizes the need for allies to confront complicity in systems of oppression, advocating for targeting the “moveable middle” in efforts to challenge deeply entrenched beliefs and foster solidarity with marginalized communities. De La Torre gave advise to his fellow Christian brothers in the Middle East. “As you think of liberative strategies, please remember that when dealing with U.S. Christian Zionists, you are dealing with deeply held theological beliefs, positions difficult – but not impossible to change. Ask us allies not to speak for you, but to speak about our complicity with your oppression.”

During the opening session, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine emphasized that Christian Zionism’s endorsement of occupation and violence contradicts true Christianity, noting that Jesus never preached violence.

Prince Ghazi led participants on a tour of batismal site highlighting its Christian pilgrimage significance and the efforts of King Abdullah II to protect Christian sites and communities in the Holy Land. Delegates also visited Petra, including its recently discovered ancient churches.

The conference explored historical, political, and theological aspects of Christian Zionism, including its links to colonialism, genocide, settler archaeology, and its global influence in regions such as the United States, Europe, Canada, India, and Japan. Strategies to confront Christian Zionism were a major focus, alongside discussions of its impact on Jerusalem and its role in promoting Islamophobia and racism against Palestinians.

Participants emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of Middle Eastern Christians rather than simply reporting on their circumstances from afar. The discussions underscored key priorities:

• Countering the use of religion to justify occupation and aggression.
• Raising awareness among Christians about their history and roots in the region.
• Building international alliances to combat hate speech and division.

Dr. Robert Smith noted the U.S. administration’s overt embrace of Christian Zionists, adding: “In previous administrations, their Zionism was more hidden. Now, the cover has been lifted.”

Dr. Mitri Al-Rahab explained that while “Zionism and Christianity are opposites,” the term Christian Zionism has become widely recognized, serving as the ideological framework for the occupation of Palestinian lands. He concluded that Christian Zionism’s harmful effects, including its facilitation of ethnic cleansing and marginalization of Christians under occupation, must be urgently addressed.