Jerusalem Patriarch and Churches Warn Christian Zionism Threatens Christianity

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, and senior leaders of several Christian churches have warned that Christian Zionism poses a serious threat to Christianity, particularly in the Holy Land, by distorting Christian theology and undermining the presence and rights of indigenous Christian communities.

In a joint statement and public remarks, church leaders said Christian Zionism promotes a political ideology that they argue misuses biblical texts to justify territorial claims and policies that marginalize Palestinian Christians. They warned that such interpretations reduce Christianity to a political tool and contradict core Christian teachings of justice, peace, and equality.

The church leaders said the ideology fuels division and exacerbates conflict in Jerusalem, where Christian communities have lived continuously for centuries. They expressed concern that Christian Zionism aligns itself uncritically with nationalist agendas, contributing to the erosion of Christian heritage sites and accelerating the emigration of Christians from the region.

Patriarch Theophilos III said the survival of Christianity in the Holy Land depends on protecting the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of religion or ethnicity. He stressed that Christian Zionism, as described by church leaders, ignores the lived reality of local Christians and weakens the universal moral message of Christianity.

The statement was supported by multiple denominations, including Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant churches, reflecting rare unity among Christian leaders in the region. They called on global Christian communities to listen to the voices of local churches and to reject theological narratives that legitimize injustice or exclusion.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, where religious and political issues are deeply intertwined. Church leaders urged international Christians to support peace efforts based on international law and human rights, rather than ideological positions that they say endanger the future of Christianity in its birthplace.

Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera, Vatican News, Middle East Council of Churches