Natan Sharansky on Israel and Evangelical Christians:
Question: What do you think the rise of Christian fundamentalism in the United States will mean for American policy toward Israel and the Middle East, if anything?
Sharansky: . . . [N]o doubt they are very strong supporters of Israel.
As the minister for Jerusalem I have to say that when all the tourism stopped to the Middle East, including Jewish tourism, the evangelic Christians continued coming to Israel so that in these days there is not one free room in Jerusalem . . . .
They proved themselves as very loyal and staunch supporters of Israel and I respect this and salute them.
As to the fears that I from time to time hear, that after all, don’t you understand that all their support of Israel is because they believe that when there will be a second coming of the messiah we all will turn to the Christians and become Christians. Then I say that it only means that at least until that moment we have the same plans.
But when the messiah comes, we will ask him whether you were here already or not?
And, as Sharansky says at the end of his answer, when that time comes, the important point will be: "I believe he will be our messiah."