Commentary Says Christian Right Groups Cite Biblical Amalek Story to Back Israel’s Tactics in Gaza

The Truthout article argues that parts of the global Christian right are backing Israel’s military response in Gaza without qualification, and that some Christian Zionist organizations are describing Hamas in terms drawn from the biblical account of Amalek. The article says that many forefront Christian Zionist organizations are preaching this decades-old comparison, which casts Hamas as Amalek, an enemy people whom God is described as commanding Israel to destroy.

The article states that this is not the first time religious groups have used the Amalek image against their opponents. It says that for centuries Christian leaders have used Amalekite language to justify genocide, including against Native Americans and against Tutsis in Rwanda, and that right-wing Jewish groups have also employed the trope. It cites the 1994 massacre of 29 Palestinian worshippers in the Tomb of the Patriarchs by Baruch Goldstein, which the article says was likely influenced by Amalekite language used by the far-right Kahane movement, of which he was a part. The article notes that Israel’s current minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is associated with that movement, which has largely dissipated but remains technically outlawed in Israel as a terrorist group.

According to the article, several Christian Zionist groups, including the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), Capitol Hill Prayer Partners and Reformation Prayer Network, are directly citing biblical passages to apply the biblical story to the present conflict. The article describes the ICEJ as one of the largest global Christian Zionist organizations, with representation in 95 countries. It reports that an ICEJ email sent to supporters on October 14 said, “This attack is without a doubt rooted in the demonic realm as a manifestation of the Spirit of Amalek.” The email referred to 1 Samuel 30:3, which describes the Israelites burning an Amalekite city and taking captives. The article argues that this passage echoes the “collective punishment” strategy it attributes to Israel against Gaza’s civilians. It also notes that about 2 million Gazans live there, about half of them children, and that the article’s concern is for their protection (Proverbs 31:8-9).

The article also points to statements by U.S. political figures. It says Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted a clip in which he states, “We’re in a religious war…. Do whatever the hell you have to do to defend yourself. Level the place.” It reports that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, referring to Hamas, called to “eliminate them.” The article says that these leaders publicly call for the destruction of Hamas, but argues that the line between eliminating Hamas and eliminating all of Gaza is blurred when, in its words, congressmembers such as Marjorie Taylor Greene equate solidarity with Palestine with support for Hamas, and when the Israeli government cuts off water, electricity and gas to Gaza’s civilians.

In an October 8 email, the article reports, the ICEJ described the Hamas attack as a “well-planned, Iranian-backed operation” that was not driven by grievances over the Israeli “occupation” or by real dangers to the al-Aqsa mosque, but by the “Spirit of Amalek.” The article contends that this framing leaves little room to examine any motive other than hatred of Jews, and it quotes ICEJ President Jürgen Bühler describing “Palestinian bloodlust against the Jewish people and nation.” The article acknowledges that Hamas’s attacks were brutal and devastating for Israelis and Jews. It reports that the ICEJ urged its followers worldwide to “join in battle” with a “worldwide army of Christian leaders and intercessors,” and to pray for Israel daily “just as Moses prayed while Joshua was fighting Amalek on the ground.” It also reports that the ICEJ promoted a “Global Fast of Esther,” referring to the Purim story, and encouraged followers to organize “pro-Israel solidarity rallies and marches” and mobilize their congregations.

The article says that the past two weeks have also been a significant fundraising period for Christian Zionist organizations. It reports that Christians United for Israel, which it describes as the largest U.S. pro-Israel lobby group with more than 10 million members, has already sent $1 million in support to Israel. The article states that not all Christian Zionist organizations have used Amalek language that week, and that many are focused on financial and volunteer support for Israeli families who lost relatives in the Hamas attack. It adds that some Christian right groups also call for prayer for innocent Palestinians in Gaza. The article’s objection is that when these groups uncritically back Israel’s assault on Gaza, and especially when leading Christian Zionist organizations equate Hamas with Amalek, they do little to protect Palestinians caught in the fighting while also supporting the conscription of Israelis into deadly battles.

Source: Read the original report