At the end of May this year, Leon XIV expressed concern over the crimes committed on civilians in the Gaza Strip by Israel. The following entry appeared on his social media: “The situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly worrying and painful. I repeat my urgent call for fair humanitarian aid to be provided and for the end of the armed action, the cruel price paid by children, the aged and the sick." Will Donald Trump perceive to the Pope, or will he proceed to support Israel despite the crimes committed on civilians? A fewer days before Leon XIV's appeal Trump stated that the United States should take over the Gaza Strip. He had besides talked about the creation of the territory of the "near East Riviera" in areas destroyed by war.
Donald Trump and Religion
At this point it is worth asking the question of the United States President's attitude towards religion. Just before the conclave, Trump joked that he would be the pope himself. The authoritative White home profiles even featured graphics generated by artificial intelligence, presenting the president of the United States as Pope. any have taken it as a joke, but we can presume that Trump does not care about the authority of the Pope and that the Catholic doctrine is very far from him, even though he himself considers himself a politician fighting against atheism. This subject was highlighted especially in a pre-election clash with Kamala Harris. Trump then directed his message to Christians, a large part of his electorate being evangelicals, but 1 crucial component of this election run was a visit to the grave of rebe Menachem M. Schneerson, the last leader of Chabad Lubavich, who is inactive worshipped by members of this sect like God. Through prayer on Schneerson's grave and gathering with the Rabbis, Trump gained support from the Jews associated with the Hasidic mainstream. It is besides worth mentioning that Trump Ivanek's daughter joined Chabad Lubavich, under the influence of her husband Jared Kusher.
What is Christian Zionism?
When I mentioned it in 1 of my programs, many people wondered how Trump could combine these 2 environments – Christian and Jewish. To realize this, 1 must mention to the concept of Christian Zionism, which is very popular in the evangelical community supporting Trump. The representatives of this stream are the influential facilities of the Republican Party.
For Poles, the phenomenon of Christian Zionism is practically unknown. The roots of this stream go back to Anglo-Saxon Protestantism. In turn, in the 1970s, strong support for Israel appeared among Pentecostals and the alleged Charisma renewal movement. The Christian United for Israel (CUFI) was founded by Pastor John Hagee, who is inactive supporting Israel politically and financially. It was this organization that advocated and then supported the transfer of Israel's capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which took place in 2017.
Zionist Christians believe that by supporting Israel, they are pursuing God’s plan. Moreover, they claim that Jesus Christ will not return to earth until after a series of dramatic events, and Israel will play a key function in these events. They believe that the Jews must return to the Promised Land in order for Christ to return. Among Christian Zionists is besides popular with the thought of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, which is frequently combined with the necessity to demolish the Al-Aksa mosque.
In 1981, tv preacher Jerry Falwell said: “To be against Israel is to be against God. We believe that past and Scripture prove that God acts toward the nations according to how they act toward Israel." Of course, these views are completely contrary to the Catholic faith. The deficiency of discernment in this subject, makes many Poles have a mistaken image of Trump's religiousness, assessing his presidency only in terms of fighting leftist ideology and laicism.
The genesis of Christian Zionism and Catholic Zionism [REVIEW E-BOOK]
Between religion and politics
Trump tries to present as a defender of spiritual freedom, as demonstrated by the interreligious encounter that took place on May 1, 2025 in the Gardens of the Rose White House. This National Day of Prayer was attended by representatives of various religions. The phase featured evangelicals (the Church of God, the confederate Baptists, non-denominational communities), typical of the Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Muslim chaplain of the United States Air Force, and rabbi of Chabad Lubavich. After Trump's speech and inviting all spiritual leaders to the stage, it was the rabbi from Chabad Lubavich who spoke first, and others seemed to motion to him. Finally, a common prayer culminated in the singing of the songs of praise “Great Are You, Lord” and “Amazing Grace”, while Trump was sitting, and the leaders of the Evangelical communities held their hands over his head, which is characteristic of the charismatic groups.
The gathering was not simply a prayerful one, it promoted a certain geopolitical narrative: unequivocal support for Israel and condemnation of the Palestinians, without taking both perspectives into account. This is part of the United States' policy towards the conflict in the Holy Land. The U.S. president and his environment item all crime committed by Palestinians, ignoring judaic crimes in the Gaza Strip.
A typical of Zionist Christians, Mike Huckabee, was nominated by Trump as US Ambassador to Israel, and Pete Hegseth became Secretary of Defense. The second said a fewer years ago during his visit to Jerusalem, “There is no reason why the miracle of rebuilding the temple on the Temple Hill would not happen.” Both believe that the existence of Israel is essential for the return of Jesus Christ. Their views manifest themselves in the usage of the names Judea and Samaria, alternatively of speaking of the West Bank. In January 2025, during a proceeding before the legislature commission of the armed forces, Pete Hehseth acknowledged that he considered a Christian Zionist and asked whether he supported Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, he replied: "I am for Israel to destruct and kill all last associate of Hamas." Nobody said anything about killing innocent Palestinian children.
Theological Differences, Temporary Alliance and Common Interests
Although the doctrine of Zionist Christians is contrary to the beliefs of the Jews who reject Christ, it seems that judaic communities are eager to usage the aid of evangelicals, especially erstwhile we are talking about financial, political and military support. The question remains the thought of converting Jews, which was manifested in the doctrine of the Evangelicals. According to this doctrine, this conversion is to take place only in the last days, so it seems to us that the Christian Zionists are not trying peculiarly for the apostles among the Jews.
Chabad Lubavich believers believe that the soul of the Jews, unlike the soul of the Goys, is straight connected to the absolute. Consequently, all judaic soul after death will attain salvation regardless of its works. There is no eternal hell as punishment in this concept. I wrote more about this division in the book “Chanuk or the Cross?”. fewer people know that it is in the book of “Tanya” written by the founder Chabad Lubavich, Shneur Zalman, that the word “righteous among the nations of the world” appears. These are according to this word “non-Jews” who, despite their imperfect nature, do well, aid the Jews, may be declared righteous and may attain salvation.
In the "Victory of light" publication, rebe Schneerson gave a amazing explanation of Hanuki. In his view, the Khanic candles are to make all the nations of the planet gradually weaken and then begin to service Israel.
We can no uncertainty point to the cooperation of the Zionist Christian communities in the United States with Chabad Lubavich and organizations promoting Hanukkah. It is worth mentioning that Christian Zionists frequently attend CPAC conferences. These events regularly include leaders of organizations specified as Christians United for Israel, as well as politicians promoting the thought of rebuilding the 3rd temple in Jerusalem. These events frequently combine support for Israel with anti-globalistic and anti-left rhetoric, which fits into the wider context of Christian Zionism.
CPAC on his Instagram account organized a peculiar programme on Hanukkah: an episode of "Americana UnCancelled" starring Rabbi Yitz Tendler. Rabbi Tendler is co-founder of Shalom Torah Ministries, which promotes conventional judaic values in public space and cooperates with conservative Christian communities to support Israel.
Prof. Jacek Bartyzel: Who are “Christian Zionists” and why are they so dangerous?
Promotion of Hanuki in Poland and Americanism
How is this applicable to the promotion of the Khanuk celebrations and activities of the Chabad Lubavich Group in Poland? This seems to have nothing to do with Christian Zionism, which is simply a marginal phenomenon in our country. The Hanukkah in the Polish Parliament and in the Presidential Palace is alternatively the consequence of political pressures of the lobby, which tries to introduce akin ceremonies in practically all countries of the world. The promotion of Hanuki and Chabad Lubavich in Christian environments, mainly Protestant ones, is an increasingly common phenomenon. Of course, Catholics who are aware of the teaching of the Magisterium of the Church see in specified meetings an attitude of complete disregard for the truth. specified equalization of all religions and joint prayer meetings were powerfully criticized by the popes until the Second Vatican Council. Later, the Church opened up to specified events, as manifested by prayer meetings in Assisi in 1986. During the last celebrations of the Day of Judaism, Cardinal Ryś referred to the declaration “Nostra Aetate”, claiming that this paper contributed to the dialog of the Church with Judaism.
However, we can consider whether this openness of the Church to dialog with Judaism is not the consequence of Protestant influences that were strong on the Second Vatican Council. Many years before the council, the popes fought modernism and another heresies that sought to advance the ideas of interreligious dialogue. From this position we can ask whether the sources of Christian openness to Judaism should not be sought in Americanism – a view that was condemned by Pope Leon XIII. This is highlighted by Fr Curzio Nitoglia in his book "Chabad Lubavich – A planet Power". 1 feature of Americanism was the indifference of equalizing all religions as equally good. French priest Henri Delassus warned against Americanism as a view that wants to abolish all barriers between religions, the effect of which is to carry out judaic interests and the Universal Alliance of Israel.
Even if we consider that the influence of Christian Zionists is small, so far in Poland, much will depend on our relation with the United States. The U.S. is our natural ally, but does that mean that we are to presume uncritically everything that promotes the government of Donald Trump on the political front (the mediate East conflict) and spiritual (indifferentism, Christian Zionism)? Catholics must know that these ideas have nothing to do with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. To this end, it is worth to scope for the encyclical of Leon XIII, to which the present pope referred with his name.
CPAC in Poland and Rabbi Boteach
The first CPAC conference in Poland took place in Jasionka, Podkarpacie on 27 May 2025. The event brought together many conservative politicians who are not oriented into the thought of Christian Zionism. Of course, this conference should not be demonised, but conservative politicians and publicists should realize what ideology we are dealing with here. The question is besides worth asking: what are the consequences of the penetration of American religious-political patterns into Polish soil, especially in the context of the relation between Christianity and Judaism? This is about maintaining a Catholic spiritual identity, about bringing Poland into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and about our historical policy, which is besides related to this topic. Barbara Engelking late became head of the Auschwitz Museum Council, and 1 of the main donors of the museum is Ronald Lauder, associated with Chabad Lubavich.
During the first CPAC conference in Poland, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach spoke, who joined Chabad Lubavich at the age of thirteen and decided to become a rabbi. After many years of work for this group in 1994, there was a divided between Rabbi Boteach and Chabad Lubavich. The reason was his decision to include non-Jewish students in the L’Chaim Society. Although formally Boteach was expelled from the movement, he inactive declares attachment to the Chabad tradition and claims to rise his children in this doctrine.
Rabini of Chabad Lubavich criticized his book “Kosher Jesus” (Kosher Jesus, 2012), claiming that it threatens judaic identity. The author portrayed Jesus as a devout, practicing hebrew who opposed the Roman tribulation in Judea, was known for teaching the Torah, did not enter into conflict with the Pharisees, but became a victim of historical manipulation. The responsibility of this forgery, according to Rabbi Boteach, was to be Christians, especially St. Paul, who converted his character into a “messian - divine Savior”. The rabbi who spoke in Jasionka and praised John Paul II during his speech rejects Jesus' divinity, but considers him an inspiring judaic figure. Nevertheless, the book “Kosher Jesus” fits into the trend of Christian Zionism – the designation of Jesus as a devout hebrew allows evangelicals to build a communicative that by supporting Israel, they service God’s plan and act in the spirit of Christianity.
A Threat for Catholics
Rabbi Boteach at CPAC in Jasionka said: “Poland stands by Israel, Poland stands by the judaic people.” Analyzing these events, we can presume that Catholics in Poland in the coming years will be encouraged to support Israel and the USA's policy on conflicts in the mediate East and to participate in Khanuese ceremonies. Unfortunately, even the hierarchy of the Church in Poland increasingly say that the Catholic should celebrate Hanukkah and that Jews are witnesses of Christianity.
Let us remember that the Catholic Church has resigned from the very beginning to celebrate the Old Testament holidays without rejecting the Old Testament, and even worshiping the 7 Maccabee brothers.
The explanation of these matters is found in St Augustine, who, during the sermon on the feast of the 7 Maccabee brothers, responded to the accusations of Jews who did not realize why Christians worship these old Testament martyrs. Augustine explains that the martyrdom of the 7 Machabean brothers who lived in waiting for Christ to come was a foreshadowing of the martyrdom of the early Christians. However, the Jews who lived in the times after Christ, but did not believe in the coming of the Savior, according to St. Augustine, were broken from the olive tree, and a veil was laid on their hearts.
How, then, can it be said that modern Jews are “witnesses of the fact of Christianity”? specified an approach must inevitably lead to the conclusion that there is no request to pray for their conversion. From this perspective, large conversions of celebrated Jews, specified as Edith Stein or Alfons Ratisbonne, appear as completely unnecessary. St. Maximilian Kolbe constantly urged us to pray for the conversion of Jews and emphasized that only Catholic religion is true. In times of confusion we must survey the texts of the Magisterium of the Church and realize that Catholic doctrine is incompatible with the doctrine of evangelical Zionists from the United States.
Dr. Anna Mandrela
The article was published in the PCh24.pl Quarterly
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