Messianic Jews in the State of Israel 1948-2017: Mapping the Contours of Theological, Political, and Social Engagement

Jewish believers in Jesus (here “Messianic Jews”) exist as a small but significant religious minority grouping in Israel. Their presence raises questions of identity-definition and of their acceptance and absorption within wider Israeli society. They present challenges to governmental agencies that control immigration and regulate citizenship; to other religious and secular groups; and to the self-understanding and theological perspectives of Messianic Jews themselves. Whilst many believe the modern State to be a fulfilment of prophecy, and their own presence vital to the eschatological program culminating in the return of the Messiah, their accommodation and acceptance within Israel’s multi-cultural environment is problematic at best.

This paper surveys the engagement of Messianic Jews with the State of Israel in theological, political and social perspective, tracing historical developments and employing a variety of anthropological and theological methods including case-studies, ethnography and narrative theology. It assesses the influence of different eschatological positions held by Messianic Jews on the questions of aliyah, citizenship, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the future of Israel. It examines the attempts by Messianic Jews to become citizens of Israel, reviewing legal and social aspects of their integration into Israeli society. The effectiveness of the opposition to Messianic Jews by anti-missionary religious groups is also considered. The involvement of Messianic Jews in social and political processes, with particular reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is also considered as an outcome of their active presence and contribution to Israeli society.