Arab Christian Dilemma: Against Israel, or for the Church?

Arab Christians in the Palestinian-controlled territories today face a dilemma - do they focus their efforts on opposing Israel and the perceived injustices it imposes, or do they focus on building the Kingdom and standing for the Church?

Some have chosen the latter course, and by doing so have become a light not just to their own people, but to many Israelis as well. These Christians are often accused of being "Zionists" as they more easily accept the divine role of Israel's physical restoration. They are regularly harassed for being decidedly NOT anti-Israel, often resulting in them keeping a very low profile.

Others take the former course, but often argue that in opposing the unjust and illegitimate Zionist entity they are building the Kingdom. That leaves them free to focus the bulk of their efforts as Christians on criticizing and even demonizing the Jewish state.

From a human viewpoint, it is understandable, as there is no better way to secure the good graces of the Muslim-dominated Palestinian leadership than to become an enemy of Israel. But is it right from God's viewpoint?

A telling example of this dynamic has emerged in the wake of the Christ at the Checkpoint conference and the subsequent targeting of a Palestinian church that did not participate in or support the anti-Zionist event.