“The Modern state of Israel is NOT the Israel of the Bible.” I’ve heard and read this phrase many times over the past few months. The fact that this phrase is said is not really surprising. The thought and idea, or even the theology, of God replacing and abandoning His covenant with Israel has been around for a long time. What has been disappointing is hearing the voices of Jesus’ followers who are now agreeing with and spreading similar statements.
For the past few years, I have been asking myself this question: “Where will the church be regarding Israel in 20-30 years?” Working with young adults in Israel, I’m naturally concerned about this generation globally. So, what follows are my sincere personal thoughts as we observe the growing opposition to the existence of Israel and the Jewish people.
In many of the meetings that we have participated in abroad, over the years, the average age group tends to be higher. That’s not to discount the importance of the “older” generations who have stood by Israel, helped pray for, supported, and built up the Messianic body in Israel for decades now. These stalwart partners are typically referred to as Baby Boomers and Gen Xers (those born between 1965 and 1980). But as a younger guy (although the youth consider me OLD at 36!), I’m always looking at who will stand by us when I’m in my 50s and 60s.
Church, we have a problem.
A recent poll showed that around 60% of the Gen-Z group (ages 18-29) support Hamas, while it’s the complete opposite for the age 65+ group, whose support for Israel is around 85%. Among conservatives in this group, from 18-49, there is a sharp rise in UNFAVORABLE views towards Israel. Only 35% expressed anti-Israel attitudes in 2022, but it has jumped to 50% in 2025. Among liberal voters, it’s even worse. During the last three years, it rose from 62% to 71% (ages 18-40). The following article lays out this picture: https://www.jns.org/public-opinion-for-israel-shows-an-alarming-trend/
These numbers tell a story. Something is shifting in how young people feel about Israel. Exacerbated by poor and slanted media coverage, lack of education about history, and university indoctrination (funded by Qatar and other Muslim groups) — it’s getting worse. The problem we face is that many of these same young people are part of the Church, where they may not be challenged on these issues. Many churches simply don’t think teaching their youth about Israel is important. They have many other challenges to deal with (which is true), but ignoring the issue of what they believe God has to say about Israel will make it worse.
The Church must ask itself these two questions:
1. What do our young adults believe God says about Israel?
2. Have the last two years of war impacted their beliefs, and how can we address it?
There is a lesson about discussing sensitive topics that I learned from Pastor Oded, who is part of our Katzir oversight team. “If we are not talking to them about it, someone else is.” I can guarantee that if your church, or any community, is not actively equipping its young people to understand what is happening in Israel — rooted in a biblical foundation and understanding —someone else is reaching them with their own message about Israel.
Sound the Alarm
There is an alarming trend on social media. Well-known figures with large followings, especially young listeners, and even some Christian leaders have begun to spread well-known tropes—false narratives and lies about Israel and the Jewish people.
Why is this trend significant? Because I am certain your kids and young adults are hearing the same things and being influenced by them. Many people want to believe that it will blow over when the war ends. Others think they’re just “talking heads.” Who cares? Historically, though, it makes a big difference. This trend follows a similar, well laid out pattern that we have seen before—namely, in the history of Nazi Germany:
1. National Crisis (war, economy)…leads to
2. Blaming the Jews… which escalates into
3. Violent actions against Jews.
Ironically, what is said to be opposition to the actions of Israel as a nation is actually playing out all over the world against Jewish people, proving this really isn’t about Israel; it’s about all Jews. Globally, anti-Semitic cases have gone up 340% since 2022. The US has reported a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents since October 7th, 2023. And violence is a natural consequence of such trends.
The Shock of Racist Murders
The above downward spiral is being shockingly manifested before our eyes. Here, I’ll give two well-known cases (there are thousands of cases not reported in the media). In Colorado, an attacker murdered a woman (burned her to death is a better description) while yelling “Free Palestine!” Two weeks prior, two Jewish believers, Yaron Lischisnky and his soon-to-be fiancée, Sarah Milgrim, were openly gunned down at a State Department event in Washington, DC.
Some of my family were friends of Yaron and his family, as was Ruby. So this was close to home for many people we know here. The attacker was yelling the same thing, “Free Palestine,” and later said, “I did it for Gaza.” He also wrote that those responsible for Israel’s actions in Gaza forfeited their humanity.
The latest case that really caught my eye was the Minnesota mass shooting event, in which a mentally ill transgender person murdered two children in a Catholic school. In addition to other phrases written on his guns, like “Trump must die,” he wrote “6 million is not enough” and “Israel must fall.” The attack itself may not have been anti-Semitic, but the person was fueled by the same hatred against Israel and the West. The common ground of the anti-Semitism behind these attacks, fueled by false media narratives, cannot be ignored. This will impact our young people whether we like it or not.
Urgent Need to be Informed and to Educate the Believing Community
There is an urgency in this time to make sure that we are equipping the next generation in the Church about Israel.
What can you do in addition to praying (which always is vital and powerful)?
1. Educate yourself and your family regarding the history of anti-Semitism. Don’t leave this up to the schools. Schools will not be able to equip your kids to learn about anti-Semitism, Israel, and, more importantly, how this relates to the Bible.
2. Ask your kids what they believe about this latest war in Israel, what they hear about it, and don’t be afraid to talk about it, even if you aren’t an “expert.” Find out what sources they are listening to.
3. Make sure your church is talking about this! And even if they are, make sure your church is discussing this with the youth and student groups, if you have them.
4. Equip your youth and young adults/college students’ pastor on these issues. If there’s no one “on staff,” help whoever is teaching the youth to be equipped. Stir vision for the church to send them to Israel. Help provide tools to teach the next generation about God’s heart for Israel. Please don’t leave this subject to chance. If you’re not talking to them about it, someone else is.
5. Supply material they can learn from. Books are great, but podcasts and listening material are more likely to impact young people. According to the American Bible Society, Gen-Z today engages with bible content first through TikTok, then podcasts, and only then the Bible app. Telling them to “go read the Bible” simply won’t reach them.
A Quick Update: What’s happening on the ground, here in Israel?
As I write this update, the new ground operation in Gaza is now officially starting. Many of our friends are currently in reserve duty, and their service has been extended. I received news that our unit is being called up on November 1st for another round of 2-3 months of reserve duty in Gaza (we will be the “second wave” that replaces those who will start the ground operation). I don’t know yet what I will do, as my wife is due to give birth around September 20th, and she starts her studies on November 2nd. Many families find themselves in the same situation, torn by the need to serve their nation, with their families paying a heavy price. Please pray for our family and for wisdom to know how to navigate this.
Yesterday, I was able to visit a reserve tank unit on the Lebanon border and provide them with the tactical uniform Ruby helped develop. I shared with some of them who we are as believers in Yeshua as Israel’s Messiah. They were ecstatic to receive these amazing uniforms and a few other small gifts. Once again, thank you for helping us make a difference and impact what is happening on the ground, giving these soldiers something nice in the midst of all the pressures.
I can’t share photos of the smile on their faces for security reasons. Sadly, this is a direct result of what I reported above. Now, when an IDF soldier travels abroad, he or she is at risk of an anti-Semitic attack. But please know that very few things bring such big smiles to their faces. Your gifts and prayers are what make that happen!
