In a notable display of support, nearly a thousand Christians representing 45 nations have rallied behind Israel’s biblical ties to the Holy Land, delivering a decisive statement to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. This collective affirmation comes on the eve of a crucial ruling by the UN court regarding Israel’s sovereignty over East Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria.
Hand-delivered to the court registrar earlier this month, the decree, undersigned by a diverse assembly of Christian leaders, pastors, and political figures including former U.S. congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Pastor Satish Kumar of Hyderabad’s Calvary Temple, emphasizes Israel’s historical and spiritual connection to the disputed territories.
“We, as Christian representatives from nations across the globe, assert unequivocally that East Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria are integral parts of Israel’s rightful inheritance,” the July 4 decree states. “Any division of this land contradicts biblical principles and the divine covenant with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who is also the God of Israel.”
The case was brought before the court following a UN General Assembly decision in December 2022 to seek an advisory opinion on the status of what it terms “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” encompassing East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently criticized the resolution, accusing the General Assembly of distorting historical facts and denying the Jewish people’s ancestral rights.
Jack van der Tang, an evangelical minister and president of the International Conference of Truth Justice and Peace based in The Hague, underscored the initiative’s significance. “While international law is debated, this issue is fundamentally about biblical truths,” van der Tang stated in an interview with JNS.
David Parsons, vice president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the global Christian community’s steadfast support for Israel’s millennia-old ties to its land. “It is crucial that the justices of the World Court consider the perspectives of millions of Christians worldwide who stand united with the Jewish people,” Parsons remarked.
Andrew Tucker, director general of The Hague Initiative for International Cooperation, an NGO dedicated to countering the misuse of international law against Israel, voiced concerns over the potential implications of the court’s forthcoming ruling. “The legal and political ramifications could be devastating,” Tucker warned. “Rather than facilitating a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it risks exacerbating tensions and diminishing prospects for a negotiated peace.”
As the International Court of Justice prepares to issue its verdict, the robust support from global Christian leaders underscores the deeply intertwined religious and geopolitical stakes surrounding Israel’s territorial claims.