Christian Zionism, Spiritual Warfare, and Conflicting Identities

Christian Zionism is often associated with US evangelicalism—as seen in John Hagee’s politically influential Christian United for Israel—but it is in fact a global phenomenon, including within Pentecostal-charismatic circles. This article examines how Arabic-speaking evangelicals in Israel engage with this debate. They are confronted with Christian Zionism primarily through their encounter with Messianic Judaism, mainly in two different networks: Musalaha and the Lausanne Initiative for Reconciliation in Israel-Palestine ( LIRIP ), which emphasize dialogue and justice; and Watchmen for the Nations and the House of Prayer and Exploits ( HOPE ), which focus on spiritual warfare and prayer. Based on participant observation and interviews, this article demonstrates how Arabic-speaking evangelicals reinterpret, critique, and reject dominant Christian Zionism, instead emphasizing Jesus Christ, heavenly identity, and the universal message of Christianity. Their positions are contextualized within the global evangelical-Pentecostal-charismatic field, providing a critical perspective on Christian Zionism within these movements

Jewish Christian · Prayer · Zionism · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Pentecostalism and Christianity Studies · Religion, Theology, History, Judaism, Christianity