Many Evangelicals Obstacles to Middle East Peace

Quite a bold title, I know... but it is unfortunately a valid claim that many American Evangelicals pose a threat to peace in the Middle East.  Most Evangelicals don't understand the struggle between Palestinians and Israelies in the West Bank, Gaza and the threat the settlements pose to stability in the region.

Muslims hate America because of the history of support for Israel's expansion into the West Bank by building 'illegal' (according to UN resolutions) settlement outposts where idealistic Jews see their mission in life to reclaim Palestinian territories for Israel and drive out remaining Muslims.  This animosity is only fueled by Evangelical Christians who see it as their duty to support Jews in their quest. Evangelicals give money to 'charities' that pay for settlement expansion and go on pilgrimage trips to volunteer with Israeli settlers.  Please see the New York Times article "Tax exempt funds aid settlements in the West Bank"

Many Evangelicals are a huge barrier to not only peace, but to Muslims considering the claims of Christ.  Because Muslims associate Christianity with the expulsion of Muslims from Palestinian land, they will never consider Christ as the bringer of freedom and salvation.  Evangelicals by far favor Israel in the Middle East conflict, inversely proportional to this favoritism, Muslims have been notoriously slow in open conversation about the claims of Jesus and salvation by grace through faith in a resurrected Messiah.  

Until Evangelicals can see the Middle East issue with some more educated clarity, and apply Christ-like love to both Muslims and Jews, the church will have no more success in the Muslim world.  We have seen Muslims accept the claims of Christ typically only after loving examples are lived out among Muslim communities.  Muslims are not 'hard' and opposed to the gospel persay, they are opposed to the trappings of Evangelical Christianity, the worldly immorality they associate with Christianity and the church's support of Israel in the Palestinian issue. These barriers must be addressed before Muslims will consider Christ. 

What can you do today to work for peace?