In a time of rising hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people, Dianna Hobbs offers ten biblical principles to help Christians respond with clarity, compassion, and faithfulness, anchoring our witness in Scripture and Christ’s love.

By Dianna Hobbs, EEW Magazine Online Founder

Tension surrounding Israel and the Jewish people isn’t new, but in recent years, the temperature has clearly risen.

Stories of antisemitism, polarizing headlines about Israel, and heated debates have become almost inescapable.

Not just in politics, but in our everyday conversations and across our social feeds.

As a mother of four Gen Z children and a woman committed to strong Christian values, I recently found myself having a heartfelt conversation with my crew around the kitchen island about the growing hostility they’re witnessing toward Israel. They’re noticing increasingly antisemitic views in the news and throughout their digital spaces.

I reminded them that, as Christians, our position must always be anchored in Scripture and compassion, not in culture wars or social pressure.

That conversation lingered with me. The points we discussed are ones I feel compelled to share, especially in times like these, when the Church’s witness is being tested.

Here’s the bottom line: As followers of Jesus, we’re called to respond differently. Not with knee-jerk reactions, not parroting talking points, and certainly not with hatred or indifference. Our standard is higher: the unchanging Word of God.

In a moment when it’s easy to get swept up in the noise, we need clarity, humility, and the courage to stand apart. We must separate modern politics from God’s eternal covenant, reject hatred in any form, and anchor ourselves in the truth that God’s purposes for Israel and the Church are not determined by human opinion.

So, what does that look like in practice? Here are ten biblical ways Christians can walk faithfully and wisely in the midst of rising hostility against Jews.

#1 Remember Israel’s Chosen Status in God’s Redemptive Plan

Scripture is clear: God’s covenant with Israel is unique and lasting (Deuteronomy 7:6; Romans 11:29). This doesn’t mean we turn a blind eye to wrong or rubber-stamp every decision by the modern state of Israel. But it does mean we recognize that, in the story of redemption, Israel has a place.

In Romans 11:11-36, Paul uses the image of an olive tree to explain this: Israel is the cultivated tree, and Gentile believers are like wild branches that, by God’s grace, have been “grafted in.” In ancient times, grafting a wild branch into a cultivated tree was a way to share in the nourishment and life of that tree. In the same way, non-Jewish believers are included in God’s family, not by replacing Israel, but by being joined to the same root and promise through Christ. (Romans 11:18)

#2 Distinguish Covenant from Politics

It’s easy to confuse the eternal with the temporary, so be careful. The ancient promises God made to Israel are not automatically synonymous with any modern political reality. While present-day events may intersect with God’s larger purposes, we must be prayerful and discerning.

Faithful Christians are loyal to God’s purposes, not partisan platforms. “My kingdom is not of this world,” Jesus reminds us in John 18:36. That doesn’t mean politics are irrelevant, but it does mean we don’t let them define our faith or our posture toward the Jewish people. Only the Word of God can be our consistent guide.

#3 Reject Hatred and Antisemitism in All Forms

Antisemitism isn’t just a political or social problem; at its core, it is a spiritual distortion that stands in direct opposition to the heart of the gospel. Scripture is unambiguous: hatred of any kind is incompatible with genuine Christian faith (1 John 4:20). We are called to love our neighbors.

We must also recognize that, through Israel, God brought forth both Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and the message of salvation: “Salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22).

That sacred history demands our respect and gratitude, not hostility or indifference. Any form of prejudice or bigotry, whether subtle or overt, must be actively rejected by those who claim the name of Christ.

#4 Honor the Root of Your Faith

God’s covenant with Israel is not void. Christianity is not detached from Israel’s story. Rather, it flows from it. That means Christians should never approach Israel with superiority or contempt. Jesus, the apostles, and the early church were all Jewish. To look down on Israel is to forget our own spiritual roots.

Paul reminds us that we are nourished by the same root (Romans 11:18). Therefore, honoring Israel’s role in God’s redemptive plan helps us walk in humility, not pride.

#5 Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

This isn’t a slogan to be ignored; it’s a biblical command to be followed. Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you.’”

Praying for Jerusalem—a city whose name means “peaceful” and which King David established as Israel’s capital 3,000 years ago (2 Samuel 5:6–9; 1 Chronicles 11:4–9)—aligns our hearts with God’s heart.

It’s about seeking peace where there’s conflict, wholeness where there’s division, and the fulfillment of God’s promises in His way a time, not ours.

#6 Hold Israel Accountable Without Hating Her

God’s love for Israel never meant turning a blind eye to her failures. Throughout Scripture, the prophets delivered hard truths and correction, not out of animosity, but out of deep covenant love (Amos 3:2).

In the same way, Christians are called to honesty and discernment. We can acknowledge when Israel, like any nation, falls short of God’s standards. However, we must never let that slip into hatred, disdain, or sweeping condemnation.

Genuine love does not ignore truth, and real truth-telling is always rooted in love. Both are essential if we want our witness to reflect the heart of Christ.

#7 Guard Against Conflating the Gospel with Nationalism

While loving and praying for Israel is biblical, remember this: the kingdom Jesus proclaimed isn’t advanced through flags, borders, or military power. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12).

When Christians blend the gospel with nationalism, whether for Israel, America, or any other country, we risk reducing God’s purposes to the interests of one group or nation. Nationalism confuses the mission of Jesus, who came to redeem people from every nation and tribe, not to champion the political aims of any single one.

The good news of Jesus is far bigger than any flag or government. Our ultimate loyalty is to Christ and His Kingdom, which transcends every earthly boundary.

#8 Be Salt and Light in a Hostile Culture

As hostility and prejudice rise, silence is not an option for followers of Christ. Jesus calls us to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16). Salt preserves and flavors; light reveals and guides. In other words, Christians are meant to influence the world for good, preserving truth, reflecting God’s character, and pointing others to Him.

We are to stand up for human dignity and defend those who are marginalized or targeted in every nation and people group (Luke 10:27).

Therefore, in moments when antisemitism surfaces, Christians should be known as peacemakers and advocates for justice. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

#9 Educate Yourself Biblically and Historically

In the age of headlines, hashtags, and hot takes, it’s all too easy to form opinions based on incomplete or misleading information. Yet as God’s people, we’re called to deeper understanding. That means learning what Scripture truly says about Israel, the Church, and God’s promises, without confusing those truths with political rhetoric.

It also means understanding the real history and present reality of antisemitism. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

Wisdom, humility, and learning help us avoid repeating old errors and enable us to walk faithfully in complex times.

#10 Keep Your Allegiance to Christ Above All Else

Christians must never idolize any nation, including Israel, nor should we disparage what God has called chosen. Our highest loyalty is always to Christ and His Kingdom, not to any earthly government or cause.

“For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36). When our allegiance remains fixed on Jesus, we can navigate even the most difficult issues with clarity, courage, and grace.

Friend, my prayer is that we would be found faithful: anchored in Scripture, overflowing with compassion, and unwavering in our devotion to Christ and His Kingdom.