Toward an Israeli Christian Zionism

On December 15, against all expectations, a ceremony honoring Christian soldiers took place in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), organized by Lt. Col. (Res.) Ihab Shlayan, the highest-ranking Christian officer serving Israel. Gathered at this event were Christians from multiple backgrounds—Arabic-speaking, Russian, and Eastern European—standing shoulder-to-shoulder, wearing the same uniforms and saluting the same flag. This image was more than symbolic; it was a glimpse into a future in which Israeli Christians not only acknowledge their past but actively shape their destiny in the Jewish state.

Lt. (Res.) Yousef Daw, one of the soldiers present, reflected on this transformation: “This uniform doesn’t erase who we are—it amplifies it. We’re Israeli Christians, and that truth can’t be silenced.” These words resonate with an emerging Israeli Christian Zionism rooted in a renewed understanding of faith, nation, and heritage. No longer content with identities imposed from without, Israeli Christians are charting a course defined by indigenous cultural revival, self-determination, biblical conviction, and loyalty to Israel and its liberal-democratic values.

Father Anton Ajina (left) and Father Yaqub Abu Aqel offer a blessing on the food. Clergy were present from Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical streams. — photo by author

A New Ideological Framework

Israeli Christian Zionism begins with the recognition that both Judaism and Christianity are indigenous to this land, flourishing here long before the Muslim conquests. The goal is nothing less than to restore the cultural autonomy that was lost, honoring the ancient Christian heritage that has existed alongside Judaism for millennia. In asserting this, Israeli Christians commit themselves to self-determination, rejecting foreign Christian agendas that often romanticize or politicize local believers, and shedding the yoke of Muslim-Arab domination that has too often stifled their voices.

This movement also embraces unity in diversity. Just as Jews have maintained cohesion while holding myriad religious and cultural expressions, so too will Israeli Christians celebrate their own broad denominational spectrum. From Catholic to Orthodox to Evangelical, they find strength in their differences, forging alliances built on shared faith, historical roots, and a commitment to the Jewish state. In doing so, they position themselves as active partners in Israel’s future, not as passive communities defined by others’ struggles or claims.

Underpinning this outlook is a biblical worldview, one that recognizes the eternal bond between the Jewish people and the land of Israel. From Genesis to Revelation, the scriptural narrative affirms the centrality of Israel, and Israeli Christians find meaning in being grafted into the people of Israel—spiritually through faith in the biblical promises, as described in the New Testament, and tangibly through their demonstrated loyalty, as described in the Hebrew Bible for groups like the Kenites. In this ideological framework, “Palestine” is a political fiction, and Arab nationalism a discredited narrative meant to subjugate rather than empower indigenous minorities. Instead, these Christians reject the failed constructs of Arab identity that do not reflect their heritage or interests.

An Israeli Christian soldier — photo by author

Israeli Christian Zionism also emphasizes self-reliance in matters of security. Working alongside the Jewish people and other loyal minorities like the Druze, Israeli Christians accept the responsibility of defending their shared homeland. This approach is profoundly pro-Western, embracing Israel’s role as a beacon of liberal democracy in a region often hostile to religious and cultural pluralism. It signals a readiness to be fully integrated, both civically and militarily, and to help ensure Israel’s moral and strategic strength in the years ahead.

Above all, the ideology affirms a shared destiny—Christians, Jews, and other loyal minorities like the Druze joined together in building a stable, flourishing society. Rather than being outsiders looking in, Israeli Christians see themselves as co-owners of this national project.

Toward Actualization

This emerging identity is already visible, yet it faces practical hurdles. While Christian participation in the IDF is growing, official support structures remain limited. Many Christian recruits lament the absence of dedicated outreach, permanent recruitment channels, mentorship, and a more nuanced understanding of their cultural and religious backgrounds. The IDF’s occasional tendency to categorize “Arab Christians” separately from other Christian soldiers reflects lingering misconceptions. “I don’t understand why they do this,” Lt. Col. (Res.) Shlayan has said. “The IDF seems transfixed by the language we speak. All of us Christian soldiers are brothers. We love Israel and we love Jesus.” This year, there were signs of political intrigue behind the scenes, with few invitations being issued, leading to lower attendance than a previous Christmas event in 2022.

Lt. Col. (Res.) Ihab Shlayan with Rabbi Shlomo Ben Moyal — photo by author

Yet these challenges are not insurmountable. They are opportunities. By investing in the integration of Christian recruits—offering culturally sensitive training, support for families, and steady lines of communication—the state and its institutions can strengthen the bonds forged at events like the December 15 ceremony. Doing so would tap into a reservoir of talent and dedication, fostering a more inclusive and resilient society. Israeli Christian Zionism is not a vague ideal; it can become a living reality when given the chance to flourish within the frameworks of Israeli civic and military life.

For  Lt. Col. (Res.) Shlayan, Israeli Christians have not merely received a passive inheritance, but an active calling. By reclaiming their ancient birthright, reasserting their cultural autonomy, and forging a vibrant, self-defined identity inseparable from Israel’s well-being, they herald a new era. “Standing side by side with our Jewish and Druze brothers and sisters, we show that this land’s future belongs to all who love and protect it,” Shlayan said. The challenge and the promise now lie in ensuring these principles shape policies, relationships, and opportunities on the ground—turning vision into action, and ideology into enduring contribution.

Israeli Christian soldiers leaving the event — photo by author

Not all Christians welcome comparisons that lump them together with other minority communities. “We share a unique bond with the Jewish people,” said Nikon Sparta, a retired police officer from Nazareth whose children serve in the IDF. “Long before the modern State of Israel, before the British, before the Ottomans—there was the Bible. That’s the source. According to Romans 11, we Christians are the branches, and the Jewish people are the trunk. A healthy tree needs its trunk and branches working together in harmony.”

In the end, the ascendance of Israeli Christian Zionism will not only affirm Israel’s pluralistic character but also enrich the nation’s spiritual and cultural mosaic. Israeli Christians, faithful to their roots and committed to Israel’s destiny, can help write a new chapter in the country’s unfolding story—one defined by empowerment rather than subjugation, and by a proud, unshakeable bond with the Jewish people and their homeland.