Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a meeting with an American pro-Israel social media influencer at the Israeli consulate in New York City on Friday after addressing the United Nations General Assembly.
The influencer, Debra Lee Schwartzben, who operates the Turning Point USA College Branch, posed a question to Netanyahu: What should be done if the support from evangelical Christians for Israel starts to diminish?
It seems there’s a generational shift happening within the evangelical community. A 2024 report indicated that among American evangelicals aged under 30, support for Israel dropped significantly from 68.9% in 2018 to just 33.6% in 2021, though it appears to have stabilized since then.
A recent Quinnipiac University survey revealed that 47% of American voters believe supporting Israel serves the national interest, while 41% hold the opposite view, with 12% opting not to express an opinion.
Schwartzben articulated the need to utilize effective strategies, emphasizing that “Israel’s support isn’t limited to the Jewish community.” She questioned what the backup plan would be outside the diaspora.
In his response, Netanyahu referenced prominent figures like Owens and Carlson, suggesting these “Christian influencers” are becoming more aware of the situation, and remarked, “They have woken up.” He added that maintaining support is crucial but presents systematic challenges.
Blaze News reached out to Netanyahu’s office for clarification on what he meant by the term “Woke Right.”
Concern appears to be growing among Israeli officials and defenders of the Jewish state regarding this so-called “Woke Right.” Netanyahu’s comments seem to reflect worries about isolationism and skepticism regarding Israeli military interventions.
For instance, following comments from Kirk and Meggin Kelly about Jeffrey Epstein possibly being linked to Mossad, Charlie Kirk raised concerns about giving a platform to Tucker Carlson, Owens, and others who share similar conspiratorial views. He urged adherence to moral principles and opposition to anti-Semitism, regardless of its origin.
Karys Rhea, a former associate producer with the Epoch Times and representative of Israel 365 Action, noted that certain “right” individuals claim allegiance to America first, but this tends to be at odds with traditional pro-Israel sentiments.
Rhea referred to Tucker Carlson as the “leader” of this “Awakened” faction.
A recent article proposed that the left is undermining Israel under the pretenses of anti-imperialism and social justice, while the awakened right criticizes Israel through nationalistic and religious lenses, perceiving it as a burden on American resources.
Netanyahu stated that the “Wake Up Right” movement requires state support and that NGOs should back it. “We must push back,” he insisted, pointing to the role of influencers.
He specified that the tools needed for this fight involved social media, rather than traditional weaponry, stressing the importance of platforms like TikTok and X.
So, do we need to fight this battle?
