What Is the Goal of Zionism? | The Truth About Israel Today

The heart of Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people have a right to exist in their historic homeland as a free people. Zionism is prophetic, aligning with God’s promise to bring the Jewish people back to their homeland as a light to the nations. 

So why has this term become so vilified, even among Christian circles? Where did the term originate, and what is the goal of Zionism? Let’s examine history, biblical prophecy, and our current moment. 

Israel Renamed, the Dispersion, and the Origin of Zionism

The Bible prophesied that Israel would be dispersed among the nations, and they were. The exile began in 70 AD with the destruction of the Second Temple, and in 135 AD, Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed Israel “Palestine,” which originates from the word “Philistine,” Israel’s ancient enemy. 

Hadrian’s renaming of “Israel” to “Palestine” was intended to be a double disgrace for the Jewish people–and it was. A small Jewish presence always remained in the region, but the majority were pushed into dispersion. Jewish people assimilated among the nations and faced 1900 years of oppression and violence in Europe and the Middle East. 

This persistent hatred proved the need for borders of refuge for the Jewish people–something God always intended to reestablish. 

The Father of Zionism

Theodor Herzl, an Austro-Hungarian Jewish man, noticed and experienced an alarming resurgence of antisemitism in Europe in the 1800s. Noted today as the father of Zionism, he concluded that the only way for the Jewish people to have protection from this growing hatred was to self-determine in their historic homeland. 

This thought and mission gave birth to the Zionist movement–a cause not merely political, but prophetic. And in the horrific wake of the Holocaust, it proved to be essential for the Jewish people’s enduring safety, survival, and human rights. 

Herzl did not live to see the fulfillment of this prophetic mission, but on May 14, 1948, his dream became reality as Israel was born in a day, just as Isaiah had foretold (Isaiah 66:8). 

What God Says About Zionism

Zion is another word for Jerusalem, God’s holy city. God calls Himself the Creator of Israel (Isaiah 43:15), and He promised to reestablish His people in their homeland with all His heart and with all His soul, never to be uprooted again (Jeremiah 32:41, Amos 9:15). He says He placed His Name in Jerusalem and has chosen Zion as His dwelling place (2 Chronicles 6:6, Psalm 132:13-18). The Psalmist recounts the enduring glory and faithfulness of God’s covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob made in Genesis (Genesis 12:1-7, Genesis 15:7-21, Genesis 26:1-5, Genesis 28:13-17, Genesis 32:24-28):

• “He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, ‘To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance,’” –Psalm 105:8-11

Jeremiah echoes God’s eternal covenant:

• “Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (The Lord of hosts is His name): ‘If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever.’” –Jeremiah 31:35-36

When Believers mistake the modern state of Israel as merely a political entity, they fail to see God’s hand in history. They miss the miracle and instead align with the world’s slander, unknowingly participating in Satan’s narrative to delegitimize the land and people that birthed his downfall. 

We cannot overlook God’s deep love for the Jewish people and how He reveals His character and heart for all people through His covenant with Israel. His faithfulness is not because they are perfect or always faithful to Him in return (just as we are not), but because He keeps His covenant perfectly and is faithful to His Word. 

How Did Zionism Become Villified? | Combatting the Stigma  

The goal of Zionism was always intended as a restoration movement, its purpose aligning with biblical prophecy. The slanderous associations around the term today can be attributed to well-funded anti-Israel campaigns, antisemitic conspiracy theories (satanically inspired to war with God’s purposes), and the influence of a United Nations resolution. 

In 1975, the UN passed a resolution associating Zionism with racial discrimination and colonialism. This resolution was controversial, stooped in deception, and later repealed. Yet the damage was done, and tragically, the accusation remains.

The terrible irony of this is that Zionism was born to protect Jewish people from hatred, not to propagate hate. Often, the exact thing Israel’s enemies are guilty of, they accuse the Jewish people of doing. We see this pattern throughout history– antisemitism is fueled by scapegoating and projectionism.  

The Truth About Israel’s Society

The accusation of Israel being an “apartheid” or “colonialist” state has no hold in reality because the Jewish people are indigenous and generous. They have existed in the region for over 3,000 years, and today, 2 million Arabs live in Israel with full citizen rights. Israel’s military, government, and society are integrated, representing the beautiful diversity of the Israeli people. 

Despite the horrific persecution the Jewish people have endured, they have always wanted to live in peace with their neighbors. Yet Israel’s enemies have openly admitted that they do not want a two-state solution; they want a final solution. They don’t want to co-exist; they want Israel to cease to exist. They shamelessly chant their vow to repeat the atrocities of October 7th over and over. This is the relentless physical and spiritual warfare Israel faces. 

The War of Words

God loves all people. He loves Arabs. He loves Palestinians. But He hates lies. Palestinian leadership has confessed openly that their movement and cause are deceptive and only exist to delegitimize Israel. Israel’s enemies know they cannot only attack her militarily, but they must fight her with propaganda and perception. 

Zuheir Mohsen, a leader of the Palestinian movement, stated this in 1977: 

“The Palestinian people do not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality, today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct ‘Palestinian people’ to oppose Zionism.” 

The movement exists to oppose Zionism–God’s prophetic intention to reinstate the Jewish people in their homeland. Arabs who continue to hold the name “Palestinian” have been abused by their own leaders for the sake of delegitimizing Israel. From the innocence of childhood, they’re indoctrinated by their authorities (who haven’t held an election in 20 years) to hate the Jewish people. 

Pray for the Palestinian people to be liberated from Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and the nations that are funding lies through propaganda and terrorism. Pray they would be delivered from this spiritual darkness that is motivated by the spirit of Haman.

Israel’s Identity Under Attack

God’s heart is for all people, for salvation, life, and liberty for every tribe and tongue. And He speaks this invitation through Israel, her true identity being a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:6). 

Israel is in the birth pangs of transformation, and her largely secular society today has not always represented God’s truth. But the spiritual riches that have and will pour forth from Israel are immense, and her existence remains a testament to her faithful, covenant-keeping God.

Notice how all the lies aimed at Israel–apartheid, genocide, colonialism–are demonic attempts to delegitimize her true identity as the light to the nations. 

Isn’t this what Satan does to all of God’s children? He seeks to undermine our true identity because when we know who we are, that’s when we become a threat to darkness. He is the Father of Lies, and as Believers, we are called to be children of the light, who walk in truth, not deception (1 John 1:6-7). 

As you navigate accusations and headlines about Israel, use discernment and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Here are some facts to guide you in conversations about Israel today, specifically concerning the war in Gaza. 

The Truth About Israel’s Military Conduct in Gaza

Head of Urban Warfare Studies Colonel John Spencer stated, “Israel is applying more measures to minimize civilian casualties than any military in history.”

It’s true. Gaza is filled with terror tunnels in hospitals, schools, and densely populated areas. Yet Israel has gone to great lengths to preserve human life. 

The Palestinian people are used as human shields, which is evil and telling in many ways. If you believe your enemy doesn’t care about killing civilians, you wouldn’t hide behind civilians. That wouldn’t be your defense mechanism. Hamas knows Israel values life. For Israel, every civilian death is a tragedy; for Hamas, it’s a strategy.

The Genocide Lie

Israel’s military pleads with civilians to get out of harm’s way through leaflets, announcements, and texts– giving warning of incoming missiles targeting terror tunnels so innocent people can be spared. They deliver lifesaving aid to wounded Gazans through multiple field hospitals, and have the lowest civilian-to-combatant ratio on record for urban warfare. Would a military trying to kill as many people as possible go through such great lengths to spare lives? By every definition of the term, Israel is not committing genocide. 

The Starvation Lie

Israel has been feeding the people of Gaza since the start of the war, yet they’re accused of deliberately starving Palestinians. Hamas and other armed groups have confiscated and looted over 85% of the humanitarian aid trucks allowed into Gaza by Israel. 

Curt Landry Ministries has assisted in providing aid in Gaza and can attest to the hijacking of these delivery trucks. Despite all this, aid does get through, and the images of starving children in the media are deceptive. Yet for any true starvation in the region due to food distribution being hijacked and disrupted, the fury should be aimed at Hamas.

Not surprisingly, these fabricated stories and blood libel have increased the vilification of the term “Zionism,” even in the Church, encouraging deceptive doctrine.

Who Is the ‘Israel of God ’? 

Because of 1700 years of replacement theology and well-funded propaganda, many Christians have been influenced by the world’s interpretation of Israel. If one considers Israel to be merely a political entity and believes the circulating lies, it’s easy to dismiss the nation entirely. Popular religious publications have sought to condemn Zionism based on the slander against it and assert that the Church has replaced Israel as the “Israel of God”. 

This is not only profoundly dangerous, but it also has no biblical basis. There is no synonymous usage of the terms “Israel” and “Church” in the New Testament. The term “Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16 refers to those who have been grafted into Israel’s story through the blood of Jesus. Not as a replacement, but Paul reminds his audience of the story they’ve been grafted into by grace (not works) as God’s salvation and presence extended to all people. 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul clearly outlines in chapter 11 the distinction between the Church and Israel, as well as God’s eternal plan and covenant with the Jewish people. He says the “gift and calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29), speaking about Israel.

The mystery is we are meant to be united–Jew and Gentile as One New Humanity (Ephesians 2). Not one better than the other, not one replacing the other, but united in the same merciful Messiah, understanding and honoring the distinct purposes we each serve in God’s story. 

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah Has Triumphed

Revelation 5 describes Jesus in triumphant glory as the only one worthy to open the scroll at the end of the age. Notice how He’s identified:

• “So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” –Revelation 5:5

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. In glory, Jesus remains identified as Jewish and affiliated with the people of Israel. This truth never changes–this is our heritage– this is our victory in our shared Messiah, born in Israel and returning to Israel, who has triumphed over death forever. Israel’s story is His story; it’s the story we’ve been grafted into by His glorious grace and promise. 

For Zion’s Sake | Do Not Keep Silent

Zionism is God’s idea. Being a Christian Zionist is to align with God’s eternal purposes for Israel and the Jewish people on behalf of all people (Genesis 22:18, Romans 11:15).

Do not be silenced by the slander and misrepresentation– rest in assurance of the truth and be bold for Zion’s sake. Isaiah 62:1 says, “For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns.”

Israel’s redemption and restoration are coming. God is fighting for her. He’s fighting for you. Join Him in this fight for truth and righteousness as He makes Zion a praise and glory in the earth. 

“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” –Isaiah 62:6-7