Statement on Israel

The following resolution was affirmed by UMJC Delegates on July 17, 2014:

“The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) supports the existence of the Jewish homeland (Jewish state) in Israel. The UMJC supports the right of the nation of Israel to exist within safe and secure borders, and the right of all Israelis to freely live and travel without the threat of terrorism.

We affirm the historic connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, as well as God’s promise to give the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the land of Israel as an eternal inheritance. As the Torah states:

“I will establish my covenant with you as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and to your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” (Gen. 17:7-8)

We further recognize that the return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel in modern times was foretold by the prophets:

“Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.” (Ezekiel 36:23-24).

In addition, the historical sufferings and persecutions of the Jewish people, culminating in the Holocaust of World War II, demonstrated to the community of nations that the Jewish people have an inherent need for their own homeland. The establishment of the Jewish State justly protects Jewish continuity and safety.

The UMJC also affirms the current and future aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel) as a fulfillment of Scripture, as it is written:

“The days are coming, declares the Lord, when men will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought Israel up out of Egypt’, but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them’. For I will restore them to the land I gave their fathers.” (Jeremiah 16:14-15)

The UMJC therefore supports the right of Jewish people to immigrate to their historic homeland.

In light of the vision of peace conveyed by the Jewish prophets, we look toward a future in which the current suffering of both Jews and Arabs in the Middle East will be replaced by true peace. This same vision of the future compels us to work and hope for peace today, as our Messiah instructs us, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9). Therefore the UMJC prayerfully supports genuine efforts toward peacemaking between Israel and Arab parties in the Middle East, especially regarding the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Throughout the Scriptures, Israel as a people is called to be a light and example to the other nations of the world (Ex. 19:5-6, Deut. 4:5-8, Is. 2:2-4; 60:2-3). We believe the modern state of Israel is an heir to this calling, which is reflected in her thriving democracy, where civil rights are enshrined in law. Therefore, the UMJC encourages the equal application of Israel’s laws to all of her citizens, and the preservation, continuation and growth of human rights for all of Israel’s minority groups.

In addition, the UMJC encourages its congregations to work for the welfare of the state of Israel, to pray for the land and its safety, and to visit the land, thereby expressing support for the nation and its inhabitants. The UMJC expresses particular solidarity with the Messianic Jewish community in Israel, encouraging all congregations to pray and work for its welfare. Finally, the UMJC recognizes Arab Christians as fellow members of the body of Messiah. We encourage our congregations, as well as the entire Christian community, to pray for peace between Israel and her neighbors. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you’” (Psalm 122:6)."