Growing Rift Emerges Between Palestinian Christians and US Evangelicals Over West Bank Settlements

A CNN report highlights a deepening divide between the Palestinian Christian community in the West Bank and American evangelical Christians. The Palestinian Christians accuse US evangelicals of supporting Israeli settlements and ignoring the hardships faced by the local Christian population. The town of Taybeh, for example, has seen its population shrink to about 1,200 residents as many have fled due to harassment and violence from settlers.

Despite these challenges, American evangelical organizations such as Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and Christian Friends of Israeli Communities (CFOIC) continue their strong support for the settlements. They view their backing as a divine mandate aimed at hastening the second coming of the Messiah and the end of days. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has defended this stance, stating that believing in God's promises to the Jews is not racist.

The divide also reflects generational shifts within the US evangelical community. A 2025 University of Maryland survey found that while 51% of older evangelicals support Israel, only 24% of younger evangelicals share this view. Palestinian Christian leaders are responding by touring the US, urging young Americans to visit the region and witness the situation firsthand.