Southern Baptists and other evangelicals consider Israel and Ukraine funding priorities
The debate highlights the intricate dance between faith, politics, and global affairs.
Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Gaza, American evangelicals find themselves grappling with a multifaceted dilemma. Traditionally staunch supporters of Israel, evangelicals are now faced with nuanced challenges — including the Ukraine-Russian conflict — that intersect with their political and religious beliefs.
Historical Support for Israel
Evangelicals have long maintained a strong pro-Israel stance, rooted in biblical narratives and a belief in Israel's divine significance. Their unwavering support has been a cornerstone of Republican foreign policy, aligning with conservative values and national security interests.
Recent events have complicated this narrative. The weekend attack on Israel by Iran, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, mounting civilian casualties, and human rights concerns have prompted some evangelicals to reevaluate their position. A younger generation of evangelicals is more open to questioning traditional alliances, emphasizing empathy and justice over geopolitical allegiances.
The war between Russia and Ukraine further complicates matters.
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention, led by Brent Leatherwood, has made supporting Ukraine a priority in 2024 while maintaining cursory support for Israel. In a letter to Mike Johnson (R-LA), a Southern Baptist and speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Hakeem Jeffries, House minority leader, Leatherwood calls for more U.S. aid to Ukraine and continuing support of Israel.
Leatherwood states he is “writing to share the concerns of our convention (the Southern Baptist Convention) in continuing to support the people of Ukraine in their struggles to protect their national sovereignty.”
Leatherwood adds, “Due to both our long-held beliefs and our experience serving those most impacted by these conflicts, we support the work of Congress in providing additional support to Ukraine and welcome Congress to take action to prevent further loss of life. In addition, we support members working across the aisle to pass meaningful legislation that undergirds our strong commitment to democratic states, including maintaining support for Israel and Taiwan, who themselves face regional conflicts, or threat of such, similar in geopolitical nature to that of Ukraine.”
Johnson is a former trustee of the ERLC and as the newly appointed House Speaker he's under pressure for a $95 billion package, which includes aid to Ukraine, that was passed in the Senate in February but still has to be approved in the House.
According to reporting by Christianity Today, House conservatives who opposed the funding package have threatened to trigger a vote to remove Johnson from office.
Political Dilemma: Ukraine vs. Israel
For Republican politicians, balancing evangelical support for Israel with broader public sentiment is challenging. While some GOP leaders continue to echo unwavering support for Israel, others acknowledge the complexities and advocate for a more nuanced approach.
Evangelical leaders like Franklin Graham and John Hagee remain steadfast in their pro-Israel stance. However, other voices within the evangelical community emphasize the need for compassion toward Palestinians and a commitment to human rights.
Republicans face a delicate balancing act. They must maintain evangelical support while acknowledging the realities on the ground. The evolving dynamics in the Middle East and Ukraine require thoughtful engagement, and recognizing the suffering of war.
In conclusion, the debate highlights the intricate dance between faith, politics, and global affairs, as evangelicals grapple with their role in shaping U.S. foreign policy toward Israel, Gaza, and the Russian-Ukraine conflict.
Based on reporting by The Washington Post, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, and other media sources.