Grace Thompson
Catholics are among the most divided Christian groups when it comes to their religious and political convictions regarding Israel and Palestine. While some Catholics support Israel, others believe that the Church should call out Israel when it deserves criticism. The Vatican's endorsement of Palestinian statehood has been viewed by some as a calculated ruse to gain control of Jerusalem and its holy sites, while others see it as a sincere effort to support the Palestinian people and promote peace in the region. Ultimately, the Catholic Church's position on this issue is complex and multifaceted, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether Catholics should support Israel or Palestine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Support for Israel | Some Catholics support Israel for political reasons, not religious ones |
| Support for Palestine | The Vatican has recognised Palestine as a state and supports a Palestinian state and Muslim influence over Jerusalem |
| Support for Zionism | Some Catholics do not support Zionism as it is seen as a "weird Protestant thing" |
| Opposition to Zionism | Some Catholics oppose Zionism and believe that the Church should call out Israel when necessary |
| Catholic Bishops' Efforts | The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is committed to working for peace between Israelis and Palestinians |
| Catholic Presence in the Holy Land | The Catholic Church seeks to maintain and increase its presence and influence in the Holy Land, including Jerusalem |
| Catholic-Jewish Relations | There is a history of tension and conflict between the Catholic Church and the Jewish State of Israel |
| Catholic-Muslim Relations | The Catholic Church's support for Palestine is seen as an attempt to gain the trust of Muslims and the international community |
| Catholic Unity | Catholics are among the most divided Christian groups when it comes to religious and political convictions regarding Israel and Palestine |
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What You'll Learn
The Vatican's endorsement of Palestinian statehood
The agreement outlines the essential aspects of the life and activities of Christians in Palestine, including freedom of religion and conscience, with the Palestinian state committing to protecting these rights. It also reaffirms the Holy See's support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, envisioning two independent and prosperous states, Israel and Palestine, coexisting peacefully side by side with equal dignity.
The Vatican's recognition of Palestinian statehood carries significant symbolic weight, reinforcing its role as a key stakeholder in the intra-regional conflict, where religious and political interests overlap. This recognition builds upon the Holy See's longstanding sympathy towards the Palestinian cause, expressed by multiple popes, including Pope St. John Paul II, who met with Palestinian leaders and called for an end to violence in the Middle East.
The establishment of the Palestinian embassy to the Holy See in 2017 further solidified the relationship between the Vatican and Palestine. The Vatican's endorsement of Palestinian statehood and its continued pursuit of peace and justice in the region demonstrate its commitment to finding concrete solutions to the suffering of humanity, regardless of religious or political affiliations.
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Catholic convictions regarding Israel and Palestine
Catholics are among the most divided Christian groups when it comes to religious and political convictions regarding Israel and Palestine. While some Catholics support Israel, others believe that the Church should call out Israel when it deserves criticism. Some Catholics also believe that Zionism is a "weird Protestant thing" and that no land is sacred, so it is not worth dying for.
The Vatican has formally recognized the 'State of Palestine', which has caused anger in Israel. This recognition is seen by some as a political move by the Vatican to gain control of Jerusalem and its holy sites. The Vatican has also been accused of being anti-Israel and anti-Jewish, with a document released in 2009 detailing the "injustices" against Palestinians and calling on the international community to support the Palestinian people.
Some Catholics argue that the Israeli state is a "gift from God" and a "first flowering of our redemption", indicating a gradual emancipation. However, others are skeptical of this assumption and believe that the state must be legitimate even if it comes at a cost to Jewish society and culture.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is committed to working for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians and has issued several statements and letters over the years calling for peace and justice in the region.
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Catholic Bishops' support for peace in the Middle East
The Catholic Church has been actively involved in promoting peace in the Middle East, with Catholic Bishops playing a key role in advocating for justice and harmony between Israelis and Palestinians. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has been particularly vocal in this regard, issuing statements, letters, and appeals to foster peace and address injustices in the region.
For example, in 2009, the Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land urged Israelis and Palestinians to "build a just peace with security for Israel and a viable state for Palestinians." They expressed solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land, acknowledging their suffering and assuring them of their continued prayers and support.
The Catholic Bishops have also appealed to the U.S. government and international community to prioritize achieving peace in the Middle East. In 2005, Bishop John H. Ricard sent a letter to President Bush, emphasizing the commitment to Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace. In 2017, Bishop Oscar Cantú signed a letter to Secretary of State Tillerson, addressing injustices against Palestinians in the West Bank Village of Susya.
The Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land, initiated by the USCCB, is another significant effort. This campaign is part of an interreligious initiative working towards peace and justice in the region. Additionally, Catholic Bishops have been actively involved in Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), advocating for equality, security, and human rights for all people in the Middle East.
In June 2025, as tensions escalated between Israel and Iran, the Bishops of the United States urged their government and the international community to engage in diplomatic efforts for a durable peace. This included a statement from Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, who quoted Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing the duty of all countries to "support the cause of peace by initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all."
Overall, Catholic Bishops have demonstrated their support for peace in the Middle East through various initiatives, statements, and appeals. They have advocated for justice, security, and harmony between Israelis and Palestinians, while also standing in solidarity with Christians in the region. These efforts reflect the Church's commitment to promoting peace and addressing injustices wherever they occur.
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Catholic views on Zionism
Catholicism is the largest branch of Christianity in the world and has historically opposed Zionism, which is the Jewish nationalist ideology that began as a movement for a Jewish state in the southern Levant and which today serves as the "guiding ideology" of its successful creation, the State of Israel. The geographic region of Palestine is of profound religious importance to Catholics, who consider it the Holy Land, and of profound national importance to Zionists, as the Land of Israel.
The Catholic Church rejects Zionism's theological basis, and any attempts by the Church to endorse it theologically would be met with overwhelming hostility by Christians in the Middle East. The Church affirms that it is the “new Israel" and "new people of God" that is not bound by ethnicity or blood. It also recognizes Judaism's perennial connection to the Land of Israel, but affirms that this connection is religiously irrelevant to Christians. Catholic doctrine does not formally dictate its adherents' individual political attitudes towards Israel's existence, and there is a diversity of worldwide Catholic opinion on the subject.
Some Catholic Zionists, such as Gavin D'Costa, argue that Catholic Zionism has as its theological foundation "the unconditional gift of the election of the Jewish people" and the “biblical vision" of Jewish governance in the Holy Land. D'Costa writes that Catholic Zionism affirms that Jewish sovereignty over the Land of Israel is conditional, based on Leviticus 18:28: “If you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.”. This differentiates Catholic Zionism from Protestant Zionism, which holds that the State of Israel is the fulfillment of prophecies about the end times. Catholic Zionism is also sympathetic to Palestinian concerns and does not strictly support the present Israeli nation-state.
Many New Testament texts support the notion that Catholics should endorse Zionism. Jesus himself was a Jewish Christian Zionist, and his ministry in the Gospels is situated in relation to the land. During his ministry, he never leaves the land and is concerned with Israel, his people.
Some Catholics support a Catholic or Christian Israel over a Jewish one, while others are sympathetic to the Palestinians, seeing the establishment of Israel as an injustice that caused the exile of Palestinians from their land. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is committed to working for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians and has issued several statements and letters on the issue.
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Catholic support for Palestinians facing oppression
The Catholic Church has long been involved in efforts to bring peace and justice to the Holy Land, advocating for a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Vatican has taken a clear position on Palestine, with the ultimate goal of achieving peace and justice for all.
The Church has expressed concern over the ongoing violence and oppression faced by Palestinians, with Pope Francis urging the international community to investigate Israeli military actions in Gaza and address the suffering of Palestinian Catholics and Christians. The Church has called for prayers to be turned into action, advocating for humanitarian efforts, long-term peace, and justice for all people. It has also rejected Christian Zionism, a political ideology that distorts the Gospel and justifies the oppression of Palestinians.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has actively worked towards a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians, promoting the Christian presence in the Holy Land. They have issued statements, letters, and appeals to U.S. policymakers, demonstrating their commitment to a peaceful resolution. Additionally, Catholic leaders like Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, have shown solidarity with Palestinians by visiting Gaza and supporting Palestinian Christians.
Despite these efforts, some critics argue that the broader Catholic response has been inadequate, with church properties being targeted and Christian institutions destroyed. There is a call for Catholic leaders worldwide to take stronger action, divest from companies that fund oppression, and actively support the rebuilding of communities affected by violence.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church has been largely supportive of a Palestinian state and has called for justice for Palestinians. However, there are varying opinions among Catholics, with some supporting Israel's right to defend its borders and questioning the Vatican's motives.
The Catholic Church has recognised the 'State of Palestine' and seeks to promote Catholic activities in Palestinian-controlled areas. It has also called out injustices against Palestinians, including oppression, displacement, and apartheid.
While some Catholics support Israel for political reasons, the Church has been accused of being at war with the Jewish state and working to derail its establishment and survival. There are also Catholics who see the modern Israeli state as a gift from God.
The Vatican has been recognised by some as endorsing Palestinian statehood and working to gain control of Jerusalem and its holy sites. However, the Vatican has also called for peace and justice in the region and has supported Catholic and Christian presence in the Holy Land.
The conflict has resulted in the emigration of Christians from Palestinian-controlled territories, while hundreds of thousands of Christians live peacefully in Israel with full freedom of religion.
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