006: Israel, Palestine, and Christian Zionism

In this episode, Matt and Susie unpack the complex interplay between US and Israeli politics, centered around two controversial projects: Project 2025 and Project Esther. The hosts discuss the origins and implications of these projects, which aim to reshape US governance and address antisemitism through controversial means. The conversation covers the deep-seated connections between Jewish and Christian nationalism, the role of Christian Zionism, and the impact of these ideologies on Israel-Palestine relations. The episode also explores the ongoing resistance movements in both regions, particularly highlighting the importance of intersectional and transnational solidarity.

Key Questions:

• What led to the rise of Netanyahu? 
• What are the religious dynamics within Israel (ultra-orthodox and the military, rising far-right parties and leaders)
• How does this relate to October 7th, and the genocide taking place in Gaza?  
• An often underestimated dimension is the role of Christian Zionism in driving violence, especially toward Palestinians. And most of that influence is coming from the United States. What is Christian Zionism? Who are the players? What are the theologies that undergird this? How do their interests align with those in Israel?
• How does Christian Zionist lobbying and advocacy work both in the US and in Israel? How does it impact Israeli politics and the situation in Gaza and the West Bank? Would US politics toward Israel be different if there wasn’t this Christian Zionist element? 
• How have Jewish nationalist actors in Israel shaped and leveraged Christian Zionist power and its agenda?

Ben Lorber, Political Research Associates, is a writer, researcher and movement strategist who focuses on antisemitism and white Christian nationalism. A sought-after writer, commentator and trainer, Lorber’s work has appeared on PBS, NPR, The Nation, The Hill, Jewish Currents and more.

Atalia Omer, Notre Dame University, is professor of religion, conflict, and peace studies in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. Atalia Omer earned her PhD in religion, ethics, and politics (November 2008) from the Committee on the Study of Religion at Harvard University. Her research focuses on religion, violence, and peacebuilding as well as theories and methods in the study of religion and Palestine/Israel. She was a 2017 Andrew Carnegie Fellow, resulting in Decolonizing Religion and Peacebuilding, published in June 2023 by Oxford University Press.

Further suggested reading/viewing:

Burley, Shane, and Ben Lorber. Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism. Penguin Random House, 2024.

Clarkson, Frederick, and Ben Lorber. “The New Face of Christian Zionism: A rapidly growing Christian Right movement has become a driving force behind unqualified U.S.—and global—support for Israel.” In These Times, 31 Mar. 2025.

Atalia Omer, Days of Awe: Reimagining Jewishness in Solidarity with Palestinians (U of Chicago Press, 2019)

Omer, Atalia. “Charlie Kirk’s Assassination and ‘Judeo-Christian’ Racism.” Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism, 23 Oct. 202

Dr. Matthew D. Taylor is the senior Christian scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where he specializes in American Christianity, American Islam, Christian extremism, and religious politics. His book, The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement that is Threatening Our Democracy (Broadleaf, 2024), tracks how a loose network of charismatic Christian leaders called the New Apostolic Reformation was a major instigating force for the January 6th Insurrection and is currently reshaping the culture of the religious right in the U.S. Taylor is also the creator of the audio docuseries Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation.

Rev. Susan Hayward: was until recently the lead on the US Institute of Peace’s efforts to understand religious dimensions of conflict and advance efforts engaging religious actors and organizations in peacebuilding. She has conducted political asylum and refugee work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Advocates for Human Rights. Rev. Hayward studied Buddhism in Nepal and is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

www.axismundi.us

Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi

Producer: Andrew Gill

Original Music and Mixing: Scott Okamoto

Production Assistance: Kari Onishi

Funded through generous contributions from ICJS, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the ICRD.

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