A new Christian-led coalition is stepping into the political arena with a bold agenda: to influence U.S. policy in favor of Israel by affirming its sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, commonly known as the West Bank, while also countering rising antisemitism across North America.
In a high-profile event at the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem on Tuesday, pro-Israel evangelical leaders gathered to celebrate the launch of the Conference of Presidents (COP) of Christian Organizations in Support of Israel. The coalition, which counts nearly 30 million members among its supporters, seeks to mobilize a united Christian voice to advocate for policies that recognize the biblical claims of the Jewish people to the West Bank.
“From beginning to end, the Bible is a Zionist document mandating that all believers stand with, and bless, Israel and her people,” declared Pastor John Hagee, a leading voice among the evangelicals. Hagee’s remarks underscored the coalition’s belief that divine scripture legitimizes the Jewish connection to the land, a stance they argue should be reflected in U.S. policy.
The initiative comes at a time of significant political recalibration. Last week at the annual National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Dallas, American Christian Leaders for Israel unveiled a declaration affirming the Jewish people’s inalienable right to the biblical heartland. The document, expected to be signed by thousands of religious figures, is set to be delivered to President Donald Trump, whose administration is already poised to revisit the issue of Israeli annexation in the region.
Advocates argue that endorsing Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria is not merely a political maneuver but a matter of national security and moral clarity. Dr. Mike Evans, founder of Friends of Zion, emphasized that the support from evangelicals was instrumental in Trump’s election, suggesting that his policies would naturally favor a strong pro-Israel stance. “The evangelicals gave Trump the presidency. He will support our position on the Bible and that’s why he chose leaders like Mike Huckabee, who backs Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria,” Evans noted.
Republican lawmakers have also weighed in. A letter from several members of Congress urged the president to formalize U.S. recognition of Israel’s claims over the West Bank—a move seen by supporters as essential to preserving the shared Judeo-Christian heritage. Meanwhile, figures like Israel’s Parliament Speaker Amir Ohana and other Likud representatives have long argued that maintaining control over these territories is the only viable path to long-term peace and security.
Critics, however, warn that such measures could further complicate the already volatile Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some argue that establishing formal sovereignty over disputed areas might hinder prospects for a two-state solution, potentially escalating tensions in the region.
Despite these concerns, the newly formed coalition is undeterred. Leaders such as Rev. Tony Perkins and Michele Bachmann, alongside other prominent figures, have committed to a coordinated effort aimed at both legislative change and grassroots mobilization. “We believe that not one organization alone is able to accomplish this,” said Mario Bramnick, co-founder of the Conference of Presidents. “A united voice is a strong voice, and together we can help shape U.S. policy in a way that supports Israel’s right to its ancestral homeland.”
As the Trump administration prepares to announce its policy on the matter in the coming weeks, the eyes of both supporters and opponents of the initiative will be closely watching. For the coalition, this is a defining moment—a chance to transform decades of faith-based conviction into tangible political influence, shaping the future of the Middle East and the security of Israel for generations to come.
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