Evangelicals beware

Since the attack on Israel by Iranian-backed militias on Oct. 7th, 2023, Jews around the world have faced massive levels of anti-Semitism, from boycotts and harassment to physical violence. But now some Christians are being targeted as well by the “pro-Palestinian” cause—persecuted for their belief in the Bible, and the role they see the Jews as playing in it. Worse, this is not coming from some campus crazies, but from the United Nations.

Francesca Albanese, a UN official with the bulky title “Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967” has become notorious for her hostility to Israel and support of Hamas narratives. Now she is targeting two small Christian Zionist groups for their support of the Jewish State. She has written letters to these groups accusing them of participation in “war crimes and crimes against humanity,” “gross violations of human rights,” and “contributing to the denial of the Palestinian right to self-determination.”

Albanese threatens to denounce the groups in a report to the UN Human Rights Council at its current session. Albanese has made a career condemning Israel—but now she is turning to private actors, who are more vulnerable. The groups see the use of official UN letterhead to accuse them of massive crimes as an attempt to intimidate them. Albanese sent similar letters to a few dozen major companies—banks, pension funds, and tech companies—that do business with Israel, as well as Israel Bonds. The inclusion of two small, little-known Christian groups among these billion-dollar behemoths sends a clear message of targeting the partnership that has emerged between evangelicals and the Jewish State.

Christian Friends of Israel Communities Heartland (CFOIC), based in Colorado Springs and founded in 1998, focuses on educating Christians about its view of the Biblical significance of Judea & Samaria. Christians for Israel (C4I) is a Dutch faith-based organization founded in 1979, which describes itself as a “mission to the Church—to Christians—to teach about God’s plan for the Jewish people,” according to Frank van Oordt, its executive director. They organize weekly lectures across Holland and have affiliates around the world.

“Our hearts’ desire is to really know God—and he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” explains Willem Griffioen, C4I’s acting chairman. Referring to the depiction by progressive Christian groups of Jesus as a Palestinian, he says, “this is a perfect example of people trying to make God into their image.”

God, these Christians argue, has a deep connection with a particular place—Judea and Samaria, where most of the Bible’s stories take place. Because of this CFOIC and C4I, along with other support for Israel, make it a point to support Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria—“settlements,” as they are widely known. They provide a variety of charitable needs, from fire extinguishers for a synagogue to playground equipment. CFOIC, like many Jewish charitable organizations, has helped Jewish communities that face constant terror attacks purchase non-lethal security equipment, like radios and bulletproof vests. Albanese, without any evidence, claims that such lifesaving assistance “enables and encourages settler violence.”

Even by the standards of the UN, Albanese’s letter stakes out new territory. In essence, it claims that the mere fact of Israeli Jews living in Judea and Samaria is a war crime—and that any kind of economic assistance to them is itself illegal. By contrast, the United States regards such communities as legal, and U.S. law provides that products from Judea and Samaria be labelled “Made in Israel.” Even European governments, which are critical of Israeli governmental actions in supporting Judea and Samaria communities, regard trade and other dealings with them as entirely legal.

Moreover, Albanese’s threats have no basis in international law. Indeed, Albanese relies on two sources—a recent International Court of Justice Advisory opinion, and a UNHRC document that makes recommendations to businesses about human rights. Neither have any authoritative status in international law. Albanese is trying to bootstrap non-legal materials into a concrete threat of “criminal liability” against these Christian groups.

C4I’s president is the Rev. Willem J.J. Glashouwer, whose father was a prominent pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church and helped hide Jews from the Nazis. So did the maternal grandparents of Mr. Griffioen. These men see their efforts to help the Jewish State when faced with threats of external extermination as a continuation of their familial calling and will not be deterred.

Christian Zionists are “very dedicated,” says Sandra Baras, international president of CFOIC. C4I has seen its premises vandalized repeatedly since the current war began but remain steadfast. “God says he loves His people, and we should follow His example,” says Mr. Van Oordt. “Even if they live in Judea & Samaria.”

The Justice Department has denounced Albanese’s campaign as “legally groundless … defamatory, dangerous, and a flagrant abuse,” and called on the secretary general to fire her. The economic contribution of these Christian groups to Israel is infinitesimal—their solidary and moral support are invaluable. By choosing to go after them, the UN shows that contemporary anti-Semitism is not merely interested in destroying Israel but punishing Christians for whom the return of the Jewish people from exile is an important part of their personal faith.