ICEJ Summit Confronts Rising Antisemitism

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) held an urgent summit in Jerusalem amid increasing concerns about the global rise in antisemitism following the Hamas-led event on October 7, 2023. Social media influencers are spreading antisemitic narratives to millions, prompting the three-day conference.

ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler emphasized the importance of addressing antisemitism. “Attacking the Jews means attacking the roots of one’s own faith,” he stated. Bühler argued that combating antisemitism is crucial for the church’s survival and should concern every religious leader globally.

Replacement Theology, a doctrine suggesting that the Church has taken the place of the Jewish people in God’s plan, was a key theme of the conference. Bühler noted that the Bible’s message includes the Jewish people, where Paul’s statements in Romans 11 affirm the irrevocable nature of God’s gifts and calling to Israel. “One cannot deny the Jewishness of the Bible,” said Bühler, citing the frequent biblical references to God and Israel.

Special Envoy George Deek, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee participated in the summit. Israeli President Isaac Herzog highlighted the global surge of antisemitism as a major human challenge and called for leaders to unite against it. Herzog proposed a three-pronged approach to counter antisemitism: law enforcement, legal action, and education.

Dr. Andrew J. Nolte of Regent University spoke about confronting antisemitic notions and stressed a Christian theological perspective—that all are responsible for Jesus’s death. He noted Israel’s relatively high Christian population and the country’s record of religious freedom.

Christopher Kuehl, co-host of the One New Man podcast, raised concerns over biblical illiteracy among younger generations. He linked this lack of knowledge to confusion about Israel, exacerbated by social media influence. Kuehl pointed out the significant time spent on social media versus church exposure as a challenge for reinforcing biblical teachings.

Pastor Matthew Earls from Eagles’ Wings Ministries emphasized the importance of teaching biblical truth to young leaders to promote understanding and respect. Sacha Roytman of the Combat Antisemitism Movement noted that Christians and Jews share challenges in defending their faiths, urging mutual support.

The summit featured over 200 Christian leaders from more than 30 countries, with about 3,000 online attendees. The event addressed the impact of social media in spreading antisemitic content through algorithms that prioritize engaging, controversial narratives.