The biblical kingdom of David (1000 BCE), followed by Solomon, was the Jewish people’s first independent nation-state, with Jerusalem as its political and spiritual capital. Over the following three millennia, the Jewish nation of Israel was conquered by numerous foreign empires including the Persians, Greeks and Romans. Mass expulsion by imperial rulers led to the majority of Jewish people being dispersed throughout the world after the destruction of the Second Temple in the year 70 CE.

Despite being persecuted by these invading foreign forces, many brave Jews remained in their native Israel, continuing the Jewish inhabitance of this ancient land, without pause, until today.

Those who fled under expulsion and the generations that followed never lost faith in their desire to return to the land of their forefathers and foremothers: Israel. They never lost hope of one day returning to their ancient capital of Jerusalem—a city mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible and thousands of times in more than 2,000 years of rabbinic literature.

Millions of America’s Christians also feel a deep and abiding connection to Israel, and demonstrate this by making religious pilgrimages, offering moral and financial support and praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Based on theology and devotion to the land that was the setting for thousands of years of biblical history, they embrace the Jewish people and their national aspirations in Israel.

Beyond faith alone, America’s Christians have many reasons to support Israel: the Jewish state reflects U.S. democratic ideals, is a stable ally in a turbulent region and fervently protects all holy sites and freedom of religion for its citizens.