Faith-Based Diplomacy: The Best Way Forward For Israel

By Gedaliah Blum – Heartland Initiative

For 3,500 years, a cultural war has raged between those who uphold Judeo-Christian values and those who seek to undermine them. Today, that war is more evident than ever. On one side stand the values given to humanity at Mount Sinai—freedom, individual rights, the sanctity of private property, and a God-centered morality that rejects tyranny. On the other side are the forces of oppression—Communism, Marxism, Islamism, Socialism, Wokeism, and all the other “isms” that seek to eradicate faith and submission to a higher power in favor of centralized control.

The reason these disparate ideologies—some of which are seemingly in direct opposition to each other—are able to work together is because they recognize a common enemy: Judeo-Christian values. That is why you see radical Islamists aligning with woke activists, why Communist China funds radical leftist movements in the West, and why Iran collaborates with Marxist revolutionaries. They are all fighting against the worldview that Israel represents—God-given morality, freedom, and national identity. There is a reason why Israel is called “the Little Satan” and America “the Great Satan.”

The battle is not just military or political; it is spiritual. It is cultural. And in such a war, only faith-based diplomacy can win.

Judeo-Christian Values: The Original Disruptor of Tyranny

When Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai, it was a revolution. For the first time in history, society was built on the principle that all human beings are equal before God. The Torah rejected the idea that rulers were inherently superior to their subjects. It enshrined laws that protected private property, personal freedoms, and the right to justice.

Unlike the surrounding pagan nations, where kings and emperors ruled by divine right and the masses had no voice, the Torah introduced a legal system based on debate and discourse. The Jewish people thrived under this system, living in relative freedom while other nations languished under dictatorship.

It was only natural that the surrounding powers sought to destroy this “disruptive” worldview. The enemies of Israel throughout history—from Pharaoh to the Romans to modern-day globalists—have always seen the Jewish people as a threat because they embody a system that undermines their ability to control.

Judeo-Christian values were so revolutionary that they laid the foundation for Western civilization. The United States Constitution, the British legal system, and the European Enlightenment were all built upon the moral and legal principles found in the Bible. These societies flourished, creating the freest, most prosperous nations in history.

But today, those very principles are under attack.

The Cultural War: 3,500 Years and Counting

Today, we are witnessing an aggressive coalition of forces that seek to dismantle Judeo-Christian civilization. At first glance, these groups appear to have nothing in common:

  • Radical Islamists impose religious totalitarianism.
  • Communists and Marxists want to eliminate religion entirely.
  • Woke activists claim to stand for social justice while undermining traditional values.
  • Globalists work to dissolve national identities.

Yet they all unite in their hatred of Israel, America, and the values they represent.

This is why the most unlikely alliances form—why radical feminists march alongside Islamists who demand the subjugation of women, or why Western progressives side with regimes that criminalize homosexuality. Their unity is not based on shared principles but on shared opposition to the Judeo-Christian worldview.

Israel, as the Jewish State, is at the frontlines of this war. And if the Jewish people fail to engage in faith-based diplomacy, they will cede the battlefield.

Faith-Based Diplomacy in Action: The South Africa Example

A prime example of how faith-based diplomacy can create real change occurred last year in South Africa.

For years, the South African government, led by the ANC, had been shifting its allegiance toward radical forces aligned with Iran and China. South Africa became a political proxy for the Iranian regime, leading the charge at the International Court of Justice against Israel, accusing it of genocide. The ANC government issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials, and diplomatic ties were completely severed.

Two weeks before South Africa’s national elections, South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) brought a delegation of church leaders from the Shembe Baptist Church to Israel. They came, representing over 8 million members. At a monumental event produced by the Heartland Initiative, their leader stood before an audience at the Friends of Zion Museum, speaking directly to his followers in South Africa.

In his message, he declared:

“The ANC government has weaponized the international courts against Israel on behalf of the Iranian regime. But in doing so, they are not just opposing Israel—they are opposing the Bible, they are opposing God. If you vote for the ANC, you are voting against God.”

That statement was broadcast across South Africa.

For the first time in over 40 years, the ANC lost its parliamentary majority.

Faith-based diplomacy had struck at the very heart of an anti-Israel political movement—not with weapons, not with economic deals, but with faith and truth. The shift forced the ANC to seek coalition partners, ultimately aligning with the more pro-Israel Democratic Alliance rather than the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

While South Africa remains hostile toward Israel, cracks are forming. Faith-based diplomacy proved that if the right voices are empowered, if the truth is given a platform, the balance of power can shift.

Why Faith-Based Diplomacy is the Only Way Forward

Many have tried traditional diplomatic approaches to shift the tide of anti-Israel sentiment in the world—economic agreements, political lobbying, and military deterrence. While these are essential tools, they do not address the root cause of the conflict.

This war is not about land. It is not about borders. It is about faith and ideology.

Israel’s enemies understand this. That is why they pour billions into propaganda, into infiltrating media, academia, and even religious institutions. Their goal is to sever people from their Judeo-Christian roots, to weaken their moral compass, and to make them susceptible to ideological subjugation.

Faith-based diplomacy directly counters this strategy:

  1. It speaks to people’s deepest convictions. Economic arguments can be debated. Political alliances can shift. But faith is unshakable. When people see Israel not as a foreign entity but as the embodiment of biblical values, their support becomes unwavering.
  2. It builds alliances across nations. The battle for Israel is not just fought in Israel. It is fought in churches in Africa, in communities in South America, in conservative movements in Europe and the United States. Mobilizing these faith-based communities creates an international network of support.
  3. It disrupts the enemy’s strategy. The forces of Communism, Islamism, and Wokeism thrive by sowing division, by making people feel isolated. Faith-based diplomacy unites people under a shared spiritual and moral vision, making it harder for the enemy to divide and conquer.

Faith-Based Diplomacy Must Be Expanded Globally

The South Africa case is just one example. Similar approaches must be applied elsewhere:

  • In the United States, where the radical left is trying to sever the nation from its Judeo-Christian roots.
  • In Latin America, where socialist regimes are increasing their hostility toward Israel.
  • In Europe, where secularist movements have eroded traditional values, leaving populations vulnerable to radical ideologies.
  • In Africa, where faith-based communities represent the strongest pro-Israel voices.

Israel must double down on efforts to engage faith leaders, churches, synagogues, and even moderate Muslims who recognize the value of shared morality.

The battle is not just political. It is spiritual. And in a spiritual war, only a spiritual strategy can prevail.

Conclusion: The War That Never Ends—And Why We Must Never Stop Fighting

For 3,500 years, Israel has been at the center of the great cultural war between faith and tyranny. The Torah is a revolutionary document that disrupted the power structures of ancient civilizations. Today, Israel remains a disruptor to those who seek global domination through ideology and force.

The enemies of Judeo-Christian civilization—whether Communists, Islamists, Marxists, or globalists—will never stop their attack.

That is why we must never stop fighting back.

Faith-based diplomacy is the only way forward. It is not just about winning political battles; it is about winning the soul of civilization. Without it, the forces of darkness will continue to gain ground.

Israel must remain a light unto the nations, not just in technology and military strength, but in faith and moral leadership.

Because if Israel and its allies fail in this mission, the world will not just lose a country—it will lose its very foundation of truth and freedom.

About Gedaliah Blum is a dedicated advocate for Israel, entrepreneur, and strategist committed to strengthening the Jewish people’s presence in their ancestral homeland. As the founder of the Heartland Initiative, an international public diplomacy platform, he builds bridges between Israel and global allies, leveraging faith-based diplomacy to counter anti-Israel narratives and foster meaningful partnerships. His work in economic development, particularly through Dapei Katom, has empowered small businesses in Judea and Samaria, strengthening local communities. Gedaliah’s strategic efforts have influenced political and cultural landscapes, most notably in Africa, where his initiatives have mobilized Christian leaders in support of Israel. A firm believer in action over rhetoric, he continues to drive impactful programs that bolster Israel’s standing worldwide. Gedaliah lives in Eli, Israel, with his wife and eight children, where his dedication to a strong and unified Israel is both professional and personal.