Who will be the next prime minister of Israel? Is this the end for Benjamin Netanyahu? Is it time for the new face of Benny Gantz? It’s been nearly two months since the September 17 elections, and it feels as if we are no closer now than we were before the votes were even cast. Netanyahu’s bloc had a one-seat edge over Gantz with fifty-five seats, so President Reuven Rivlin gave Bibi the first shot at forming a coalition government. He did his best until October 21 when he finally admitted his inability to gather the necessary majority of sixty-one seats in the Knesset. President Rivlin then turned to Gantz, who has until November 20 to find seven more seats to add to his fifty-four. As of this moment, his success is looking less and less likely.

However, regardless of who ultimately becomes prime minister, I believe that it is time for another major change in the government. Israel is due for a new role to be added to the ministry. Recently I presented this innovative, yet necessary, position in an op-ed column in the Jerusalem Post.[1]

Outside of Israel there are 2.2 billion Christians, including more than 600 million who identify themselves as evangelicals. Many of these people who believe Jesus is the Messiah have a deep love for the nation of Israel and regularly pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Additionally, in 2018, 61 percent of tourists visiting Israel were Christians.

Inside Israel, the number of Christians continues to grow. Currently, 180,000 Israeli citizens, fully 2 percent of the population, have put their faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah. Most are Arabs, but an ever-increasing number have Jewish roots. Christianity is thoroughly ingrained into the DNA of Israel, and it’s time the nation’s government recognizes this truth. That is why I have recommended that the next prime minister institute the position of ambassador to the Christian world.

While most ambassadors are linked to a particular country, the deeply connected relationship between Christianity and the nation where Jesus carried out his ministry presents a special circumstance. In the United States, it is the Christian community where one finds the greatest support for Israel. A close alliance with global Christianity means international support, political influence, and a great financial benefit. To this end, the ambassador to the Christian world would serve as the government’s liaison to Christians outside of Israel, countering much of the negative news about Israel that is presented in international media and academia. He or she would also be the primary contact for those Christians within Israel who run up against governmental or community biases against them. This person would also be the voice promoting Christian tourism and pilgrimages to Israel from all nations, including many countries who may themselves be hostile toward their Jesus-following populations.

Israel is a Jewish nation. However, history and God’s redemptive plan have thoroughly intertwined Christianity and the Promised Land of the Hebrews. Acknowledging that connection and seeking to deepen it though an ambassador to the Christian world is a win-win for Israel and for Christians around the world. Whoever is ultimately able to form a coalition government in the Knesset will do well to recognize this truth and use it to the greatest benefit.

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[1] Rosenberg, Joel C. “Israel’s Next Government Should Appoint an Ambassador to the Christian World.” Jerusalem Post | JPost.com, October 29, 2019, https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Israels-next-government-should-appoint-an-ambassador-to-the-Christian-world-606231.