Evangelical groups follow a speech by Trump (Reuters)

University professor Jean-Pierre Filho said in his column in Le Monde newspaper that the evangelical right provides its unwavering support for the United States to destroy Gaza, in the name of the war on what he calls “evil” forces in the Palestinian Strip.

The writer explained in his column that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recklessly threw himself into the trap set for him by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), and he hopes that the current catastrophe, if it continues, will allow him, even at Israel’s expense, to avoid accountability before the judicial system in his country.

As for US President Joe Biden, he - as Pierre Filho sees it - blindly rushed into a similar trap by granting unconditional support to the Israeli campaign. Far from working for his own interests, he has played into the hands of his worst enemies: those radical Christian Zionists who have taken control of the Republican Party and are enthusiastically preparing for the return of Donald Trump to the White House. They believe that an all-out war must be waged against the “absolute evil” that he represents. Palestinian terrorism.”

An evangelical Christian from the United Kingdom waves an Israeli and a British flag during a procession celebrating the Jewish Sukkot (French)

Fanatical speaker

The writer reviewed the history of Mike Johnson, one of the most extreme figures in Christian Zionism in Congress, and said that he is an enthusiastic evangelical and is convinced that the “return” of the Jewish people to their “land” Israel contributes to the fulfillment of prophecies, even if that means that two-thirds of the Jews are slaughtered during these “ordeals.” As for the remaining third, he is saved by converting to Christ.

When Johnson was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives last October, his first gesture was to pass a resolution of unconditional support for Israel “which is defending itself against the barbaric war waged by Hamas,” and to refuse to vote in favor of the aid package for Ukraine prepared by the White House.

Johnson allocated about $15 billion in immediate aid to Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza, accused the New York Times of providing a "platform" to Hamas, and suggested "firing" any federal employee who showed solidarity with Gaza.

Christians attend a concert in support of Trump (French)

General mobilization

The writer also referred to Franklin Graham, the preacher who inherited from his father, Billy Graham, a real “television missionary” empire. Netanyahu received him on November 20, 2023, and asked all his followers to pray for him, because he leads “Israel, the people of God.” In “this war of good against evil.”

For her part, Michelle Bachmann, a former Tea Party inspiration in Congress, and now the dean of Regent University, an evangelical stronghold in Virginia, claimed that the population of Gaza “is mainly composed of mercenaries created by terrorism,” and says: “It is time to end Gaza. The two million people who live "There are nothing but cunning murderers who must be removed from this land. This land must be turned into a national park."

As for the very evangelical Mike Pence, former Vice President Trump, he did not hesitate during his recent visit to Israel to sign his name on a missile prepared to be launched at Arab targets in Lebanon.

The writer pointed out that the Christian Zionists, who strongly opposed the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, are also still hostile to the slightest “division of the Land of Israel” in order for the prophecies to be fulfilled, which is an act of faith for them, and this entire land must remain under the authority of Israel, according to what they believe. .

Expert Pierre Filho concluded that the Christian Zionists, having linked their individual and collective salvation to crushing Palestinian nationalism, will do their utmost to sabotage any diplomatic solution to the conflict in the Middle East, relying on the differences raised by the Gaza war within the Democratic Party itself, which further weakens the US President. In the face of Trump's "great return."

Source: Le Monde