The Israeli prime minister urged American Christian Zionist leaders to defend the shared Judeo-Christian tradition while denying that Israeli officials are trying to steer U.S. policy away from peace talks with Iran.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with American evangelical Christian Zionist leaders in Washington on Wednesday, urging them to remain politically and publicly engaged as he separately rejected Vice President JD Vance’s claim that figures inside the Israeli government are attempting to influence Americans to support a prolonged war with Iran.
During the gathering, Netanyahu thanked evangelical supporters for their longstanding backing of Israel and called on them to respond forcefully when their beliefs and political positions come under attack.
“Stand up. Stand up and don’t cower. When you’re faced with an attack, what do you do? Attack back,” Netanyahu told the group.
He framed the relationship between Israel and American evangelicals as part of a common religious and civilizational tradition.
“We’re descendants from the original Hebrews of the Holy Land. And we are the first part of that Judeo-Christian heritage, which we cherish and which has given the world, the civilization, freedom and faith,” Netanyahu said. “And, again, we have to stand up and defend it. It’s under attack from the rising tide of antisemitism and anti-Evangelicalism. It’s not accidental that the two are coming under a joint attack, because we are one.”
The Israeli leader’s appeal came the same day he responded to Vance’s allegation that some officials in Israel are working to keep the United States involved in the military campaign against Iran.
“Well we’re not, actually,” Netanyahu said when asked about the accusation.
Vance had previously said he was certain that elements within the Israeli government were trying to move U.S. policy away from negotiations and toward continuing military operations.
“I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there have been people within the Israeli government who are trying to actually shift us away from that policy because they want to continue the military campaign,” Vance said.
“There are some people within their system, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,” he added.
Netanyahu’s meeting with evangelical leaders highlighted the importance of Christian Zionist support within the United States, particularly among conservative voters and activists who view the defense of Israel as both a strategic and religious priority.
His remarks also underscored the political tension surrounding the direction of U.S. policy toward Iran. While Netanyahu has consistently favored sustained pressure on Tehran, the Trump administration has continued to weigh military action against efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.
The competing statements from Netanyahu and Vance exposed a disagreement over whether Israeli officials are attempting to shape American public opinion and policy in favor of extending the conflict. Netanyahu denied that such an effort is underway, while Vance said he had no doubt that some within Israel’s government were pursuing that objective.
The prime minister’s appeal to evangelical leaders focused on defending Israel and the broader Judeo-Christian tradition from what he described as simultaneous attacks against Jews and evangelical Christians. At the same time, his denial of Israeli pressure sought to separate that political outreach from efforts to influence Washington’s decisions about the war.
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