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Looking Ahead: Ohio pastors encourage vice president to stand strong for Israel

Looking Ahead: Ohio pastors encourage vice president to stand strong for Israel


Looking Ahead: Ohio pastors encourage vice president to stand strong for Israel

A group of Ohio pastors have sent a letter to Vice President J.D. Vance calling on him to support Israel should he become president.

Some 70-odd lead clergy from churches in north central Ohio sent the letter to their fellow Ohioan, who many believe is the favorite to succeed President Trump at the end of his second term.

The pastors, from what is known as the Buckeye Bible Belt, warn that not supporting Israel may lead to tragic consequences for the nation in the future.

Juan Rivera is pastor of Victory Church in Youngstown and is part of the Ohio Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition.

"We felt compelled to speak because silence in a moment of spiritual war just wasn't an option for us. And there were so many differences of opinion, even from the conservative and Christian right, that we thought we needed to write this to the vice president."

Rivera says Operation Midnight Hammer was a defining moment for the country.

"Iran's aggression isn't just against Israel, it's against the very root of Judeo-Christian civilization. And as clergy we decided it’s a biblical moment, not just a military one. We recognize that, not only is antisemitism on the rise in levels that we haven't seen in a very, very long time, but also Christian persecution around the world."

Rivera says the letter encouraged Vance that should he become president he would defend Israel so that GOD would bless America and bless Ohio.

In terms of support for Israel, the options are limited and not hard to understand, he said.

“Since the GOD of Israel governs in the affairs of man, we can either choose to support GOD’s people and His agenda, or to oppose them; history has shown there can be catastrophic consequences for the latter.”