Page - 137 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 06/01

cisive influence on American (foreign) politics. One of the principal agendas of the Christian Right was to lobby for Israel. Vital to maintaining Republicans in Congress, it advocates the military dominance of America and unlimited support for Israel.33 Christian Zionists form a sub-group within the Christian Right that focuses on that support for Israel. Since its foundation, the State of Israel has been a central concern of US foreign policy, and today the most vociferous advocates are found not necessarily in the American Jewish community but rather amongst Evangelical Christians. The involve- ment of the latter is based on a particular reading of the Old Testament as well as a unique eschatology in which Israel plays a decisive role.34 Within Dispensationalism, a biblical interpretative method that developed in England in the 19th century, the return of the Jews to Palestine is a necessary stage in the progression towards the Second Coming of Christ.35 With the foundation of the State of Israel, the Dispen- sationalists gained credibility, reached the American mainstream and established themselves as a political force. New organizations were founded, including Chris- tians United for Israel, which rejects a two-state solution or any territorial conces- sions to the Palestinians.36 Today the Christian Right insists that the survival of Israel must be a priority for American foreign policy, whatever the financial or political implications.37 Christian Zionists’ attitude towards Jews is, however, very ambivalent. While they believe Israel is protected by God, the fate of the Jews is uncertain: only that small part who convert to Christianity will be saved, while the majority will join the forces of the anti-Christ and will be destroyed during the battle of Armageddon.38 Although Jewish groups in the United States and Israel vehemently opposed the alliance of Israel and the Christian Zionists, they accepted the political coalition be- cause it serves Israeli interests in the United States.39 Thus the American approach to Israel in general and to Jerusalem in particular is markedly influenced by an un- derstanding of the Bible and a conceptualization of the United States that are both profoundly shaped by Evangelical ideas. 33 Haynes 2012, 37–38; Braml 2005, 19; 24. 34 Miller 2014, 7–8. 35 Mearsheimer/Walt 2007, 188–189; Miller 2014, 8–11. 36 Salleh/Abu-Hussin 2013, 154; Mearsheimer/Walt 2007, 190–191. 37 Salleh/Abu-Hussin 2013, 155. 38 Salleh/Abu-Hussin 2013, 159–161. 39 Haija 2006, 85. 136 | Hannah Griese www.jrfm.eu 2020, 6/1, 127–151