Abstract
This article explores the historical and modern hostility toward Israel, interpreting it through both empirical evidence and biblical prophecy. Since its reestablishment in 1948, Israel has fought multiple interstate wars and endured persistent terrorism, placing it among the most frequently attacked nations in the modern era (Congressional Research Service, 2023; Institute for Economics & Peace, 2023). While nations such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Nigeria have experienced higher absolute levels of terrorism, Israel’s small size and population make the proportional impact of sustained conflict especially significant (Roser et al., 2019). This pattern echoes prophetic warnings such as Zechariah 12:2–3, where Jerusalem is described as a “cup of staggering” for the nations. Historically, Israel has endured enslavement, exile, and dispersion, yet Scripture foretold both its scattering (Deut. 28:64) and restoration (Ezek. 37). In light of ongoing generational shifts in perception toward Israel, the church is called to respond biblically—praying for peace, resisting hatred, and centering hope in Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. The enduring hostility toward Israel thus provides both a sign of prophecy fulfilled and a reminder of the gospel’s universal promise.
Keywords: Israel, prophecy, terrorism, diaspora, biblical response
Israel as a Contested Nation
In light of available evidence, it is accurate to state that Israel is among the most frequently attacked and contested nations in the modern era. Since 1948, Israel has fought multiple interstate wars—including those of 1948–49, 1967, 1973, and 1982—while also facing persistent terrorism from groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah (Congressional Research Service [CRS], 2023). Conflict datasets such as the Correlates of War and terrorism indices such as the Global Terrorism Index rank Israel consistently high in terms of repeated militarized disputes and terrorism impact, even placing it as the second most terrorism-affected country in 2023 (Institute for Economics & Peace [IEP], 2023). At the same time, other nations such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Nigeria have recorded even higher absolute levels of terrorism and violence, and major powers like China, the Soviet Union, and Poland endured catastrophic invasions and mass deaths during the twentieth century (Roser et al., 2019). However, in proportion to its size and population, Israel may be considered among the most persistently attacked nations in history.
The Scriptures remind us that history is not random, but under the sovereign hand of God. In Zechariah 12:2–3, the Lord declares that He will make Jerusalem “a cup of staggering” and “a heavy stone” for all nations that gather against it. Likewise, Zechariah 14:2 foretells a time when all the nations will gather against Jerusalem in battle. From its earliest days, Israel has faced hostility, slavery, and repeated attacks, and yet it remains preserved—a testimony to both God’s covenant faithfulness and the fulfillment of prophecy.
Israel’s Historic Struggles
The Bible records how Israel endured oppression from surrounding powers. Enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years (Exodus 1–12), oppressed by the Philistines during the time of the Judges (Judges 13–16; 1 Samuel 4–7), conquered by Assyria in 722 BC (2 Kings 17), and later by Babylon in 586 BC (2 Kings 25; Daniel 1), Israel consistently suffered under foreign rule. Though Persia allowed their return from exile (Ezra 1; Nehemiah 1–2), oppression continued under Greek rule when Antiochus IV desecrated the Temple, sparking the Maccabean revolt (Daniel 8, 11). By the time of Jesus, Rome controlled the land, taxing and suppressing the people (Luke 2:1; Acts 22:25).
Following Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and again after the Bar Kokhba revolt in A.D. 135, the Jewish people were scattered across the nations, beginning the long Diaspora (Eskenazi & Judd, 2014). For nearly two millennia, Israel ceased to exist as a sovereign state, its land ruled successively by Romans, Byzantines, Islamic caliphates, Ottomans, and the British (Sachar, 2013). This dispersion fulfilled prophecies such as Deuteronomy 28:64, which warned that Israel would be scattered among the nations. Yet God also promised restoration, illustrated in Ezekiel 37’s vision of dry bones coming to life. That prophecy found modern expression when, following the United Nations partition plan, Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948 (Morris, 2008).
Terrorism in the Modern State
Since its rebirth, Israel has remained the target of violence. Terrorist groups such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah have waged ongoing attacks. Suicide bombings scarred the 1990s and early 2000s, including the 1996 Dizengoff Center attack in Tel Aviv that killed 13 and injured over 100, and the 2001 Sbarro restaurant bombing in Jerusalem that killed 16 and wounded 140 (Dizengoff Center suicide bombing, 2023; Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing, 2023). The Second Intifada brought even more attacks, such as the 2003 Haifa bus 37 bombing that claimed 17 lives (Haifa bus 37 suicide bombing, 2023). Most recently, the October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and led to the abduction of hostages, marking one of Israel’s darkest days since its modern founding (CRS, 2023). These events echo the prophecy that Jerusalem would remain a heavy burden to the nations.
Generational Shifts in Perception
Modern surveys also reveal generational divides in how Israel is viewed. A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll found that 60% of U.S. voters aged 18 to 24 believed Hamas’s October 7 attack was justified (JNS, 2023). Similarly, the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (2024) reported that 51% of Palestinians aged 18–29 supported the attack, compared to 46% of those over 30. Younger Americans, in particular, express less favorable views of Israel, with only 24% holding a favorable view of its government (Pew Research Center, 2024a). Influenced by humanitarian concerns, progressive values, and emotionally charged social media coverage, younger generations often sympathize more with Palestinians (Telhami, 2021; MEA Magazine, 2024). This shift underscores how global attitudes toward Israel are not static but shaped by culture, ideology, and media.
A Biblical Response
From a biblical perspective, the church must interpret these realities through God’s Word. While God has made covenant promises to Israel (Romans 11:1–2, NIV), His plan of salvation extends beyond one people to all nations through Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Revelation 7:9–10, NIV). Scripture is clear: salvation is not guaranteed by heritage but comes through faith in Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9–13, NIV). Israel, like every nation, falls under the truth that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23, NIV). Therefore, the church is called to pray for Israel, intercede for the nations, show compassion to all who suffer, and proclaim Christ as the ultimate hope. Hatred against Israel fulfills prophecy, but the gospel reveals God’s greater plan—that all peoples find redemption in His Son.
Applications for Today
- Pray for Israel and the Nations – Scripture calls us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6, NIV). Pray not only for Israel’s protection but also for the salvation of Jews and Palestinians alike.
- Stand Against Hatred – Zechariah reminds us that hostility toward Israel has prophetic significance. As believers, we should resist antisemitism and also guard against hatred toward any people group, remembering that all are made in God’s image.
- Keep Christ at the Center – God’s covenant with Israel is real, but His redemptive plan is fulfilled in Christ. True peace and salvation come not through military strength or political alliances, but through Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).
- Be Watchful but Hopeful – The prophecies of nations rising against Israel remind us that history is moving toward God’s ultimate purpose. While we must be watchful of the times, we live in hope, knowing Christ will return to establish His kingdom of justice and peace.
References
Congressional Research Service. (2023). Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel and U.S. policy (CRS Report No. R47828). https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47828
Dizengoff Center suicide bombing. (2023, November 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizengoff_Center_suicide_bombing
Eskenazi, T. C., & Judd, K. H. (2014). The Jewish people in the first century. Brill.
Haifa bus 37 suicide bombing. (2023, November 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa_bus_37_suicide_bombing
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Institute for Economics & Peace. (2023). Global Terrorism Index 2023: Measuring the impact of terrorism. IEP. https://www.visionofhumanity.org/resources
JNS. (2023, November 16). At least for Hamas, young voters seem to believe in justified terror, genocide. Jewish News Syndicate. https://www.jns.org/at-least-for-hamas-young-voters-seem-to-believe-in-justified-terror-genocide/
MEA Magazine. (2024, August 24). Survey shows emotionally engaging content shifts views on Israel among American young adults. https://meamagazine.com/2024/08/24/survey-shows-emotionally-engaging-content-shifts-views-on-israel-among-american-young-adults/
Morris, B. (2008). 1948: A history of the first Arab-Israeli war. Yale University Press.
Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. (2024, September 12). Summary report: Joint poll 12. https://www.pcpsr.org/sites/default/files/Summary%20Report_%20English_Joint%20Poll%2012%20Sept%202024.pdf
Pew Research Center. (2024a, April 2). Younger Americans stand out in their views of the Israel-Hamas war. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/02/younger-americans-stand-out-in-their-views-of-the-israel-hamas-war/
Pew Research Center. (2024, March 21). Views of the Israel-Hamas war: Key findings. https://www.pewresearch.org/2024/03/21/views-of-the-israel-hamas-war/
Roser, M., Nagdy, M., & Ritchie, H. (2019). Terrorism. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/terrorism
Sachar, H. M. (2013). A history of Israel: From the rise of Zionism to our time (3rd ed.). Knopf.
Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing. (2023, November 18). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sbarro_restaurant_suicide_bombing
Telhami, S. (2021, July 13). The generation gap in American attitudes toward Israel and the Palestinians. Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-generation-gap-in-opinions-toward-israel/
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