Evangelical Delegations Converge on Israel as Officials Warn of Intensifying Global Hostility

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Evangelical Christian backing for Israel is “more vital than ever” as the Jewish state confronts a surge of antisemitism and anti-Israel activism worldwide, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told a visiting delegation of Christian leaders this week.

Addressing 140 evangelical figures from 18 countries, Sa’ar said Israel is standing at a “pivotal moment,” facing misinformation, coordinated diplomatic pressure, and an international campaign to delegitimize its actions during the ongoing war.

“The Jewish state stands at a pivotal moment defending its place in the region and around the world amid a rising anti-Israel and antisemitic wave,” Sa’ar said. “Your presence here matters. Your continued support matters even more.”

Largest Wave of Christian Visitors in Years

The delegation — organized by the U.S.-based Eagles’ Wings movement — included pastors, public figures, media influencers, and community leaders from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. A prominent group of Brazilian women influencers joined the mission, alongside leaders from Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, Japan, India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda.

Their visit coincided with Israel’s 2025 Ambassador Summit, hosted by the Foreign Ministry and the Friends of Zion Museum, and overlapped with a separate arrival of nearly 1,000 American pastors — the largest such group ever to visit the country.

Briefings With Top Officials: War, Humanitarian Policy, and Global Disinformation

Israeli officials briefed the group on wartime decision-making, humanitarian corridors, and the challenges of combating Hamas while avoiding civilian casualties in dense urban areas. They also described a growing international effort to isolate Israel diplomatically.

Sa’ar praised the mission for bringing “the next generation of Christian leaders” to witness events firsthand, noting that most misinformation campaigns thrive among those who have never stepped foot in Israel.

Benny Gantz, in separate discussions, emphasized Israel’s attempts to balance military necessity with humanitarian obligations. He acknowledged the difficulty of fighting in civilian environments where Hamas embeds itself deliberately.

Evangelicals Seek to Counter Misinformation

Bishop Robert Stearns, founder and director of Eagles’ Wings, warned that misinformation campaigns are targeting Israel’s historic support base among Christians and require intentional strengthening.

“If we do not act now, Israel risks losing the historic and consequential support of Christians who have long championed the Jewish state on the global stage,” Stearns said. He described the mission as equipping Christian leaders to “speak truth within their own nations” during an unprecedented time of hostility.

Focus on Minority Persecution

The delegation also met with Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, spiritual head of Israel’s Druze community. Tarif detailed the persecution faced by Druze and other minorities in Syria and the broader region. Deeply moved, Eagles’ Wings pledged financial support for Druze community initiatives that strengthen minority resilience.

A Strategic Moment for Israel and Its Christian Allies

The convergence of large-scale Christian delegations — and the urgent tone from Israeli officials — underscores a growing recognition that Israel’s international standing may hinge in part on mobilizing its long-time evangelical allies.

“As antisemitism rises globally, the partnership between Christians and the Jewish state is not merely symbolic,” Stearns said. “It is strategic — and it is essential.”

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