Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, believes the spiritual and political future of the world hinges on one key truth: unwavering support for Israel.
Rodriguez, an influential faith leader, entrepreneur, and advisor to U.S. presidents, argues that the relationship between America and Israel is not just geopolitical—it’s spiritual, moral, and foundational.
“We're not married to the donkey or the elephant. We're exclusively married to the agenda of the Lamb,” Rodriguez says, referencing his book The Lamb’s Agenda. For him, this isn’t about partisanship. It’s about protecting the covenant between God and Israel, a relationship he says “is still alive and well and cannot be canceled.”
Rodriguez envisions the Hispanic evangelical community as a global firewall against anti-Semitism. “What if, in order to get to the Jewish people, in order to annihilate Israel, you first have to go through the Hispanic community all around the world?” he says. “We must be the most pro-Israel and pro-Jewish community on the planet.”
That passion stems from both history and theology. He points to the legacy of the Spanish Inquisition and the Sephardic Jewish diaspora as historical bonds between Latinos and Jews. But the deeper motivation, he says, is spiritual. “It’s a blessing and the promise of Genesis—if we bless Abraham and his descendants, we will be blessed.”
Rodriguez strongly rejects replacement theology, the idea that the Christian church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. “It’s not biblically substantiated,” he says. “God's plan for the Jewish people is still alive and well. I am a child of God, yes. But is Israel God’s chosen people? Absolutely—with an exclamation point and two smiling emojis.”
The Oct. 7 Hamas attack marked a moral dividing line. Rodriguez says the global Christian community should have responded with clarity and outrage. “This is right from the pit of hell. We promised ‘never again,’ and look what just took place. The deafening silence from some Christian quarters was disappointing.”
He sees anti-Semitism as a strategic weapon of evil. “It’s Heymann, it’s Hitler, it’s Hamas—it’s a continuum of hatred,” he says. “The battle is not between left and right; the battle is between the Judeo-Christian value system and everything else—fascism, Marxism, wokeism, secular totalitarianism.”
Rodriguez warns that anti-Semitism is emerging even within parts of the political right, including among young men drawn to “Christ is King” rhetoric. He condemns the hijacking of sacred language for anti-Semitic agendas. “How dare you hijack something beautiful and powerful to advance a worldview counterintuitive to the Word of God?”
For Rodriguez, Israel’s modern state is not a deviation from God’s plan—it’s a fulfillment of it. “This is God’s Israel,” he says. “How in the world can Israel exist, surrounded by enemies, countless wars—and not only survive, but flourish in science, technology, and agriculture? Israel is blessed because it is God’s.”
He ties America’s blessing directly to its commitment to Israel. “The moment America sways away, it’s over,” he says, criticizing the past administration for rhetorical support that was not backed by action. In contrast, he praises President Trump as “no greater friend” to Israel, citing the embassy move to Jerusalem and the Abraham Accords.
Rodriguez’s vision for the future includes “Abraham Accords 2.0” with countries like Saudi Arabia and Morocco, a full affirmation of Israel’s right to defend itself in Gaza, and decisive action to eliminate Hamas and prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. “Let’s do away with this once and for all,” he says. “If we are to use military force, let’s do it.”
He also supports Israel’s rights to Judea and Samaria. “It is the biblical heartland. This does not mean a negative assault on Arabs living there,” he says. “Quite the contrary—Pro-Israeli Arabs in Israel flourish. I had dinner with a prominent Arab leader who told me, ‘You're telling me I should choose Gaza over this?’”
Rodriguez warns that Christians are at risk across the Middle East and points to Israel as the only country in the region where Christians can live in peace. “That Judeo-Christian continuum—it’s under assault,” he says. “Israel is not just a spiritual solution—it’s a geopolitical one.”
To reach young people, Rodriguez creates content that is "inspirational" and “informational,” engages Latino influencers, and leads trips to Israel. “Once they get the historical accuracy, the ‘wow’ factor, and then the spiritual conviction—God takes care of the rest.”
He insists that truth must not be sacrificed to political expediency. “Today’s complacency is tomorrow’s captivity,” he says. “We are what we tolerate. And if we tolerate this language, they will get away with murder—literally.”
Rodriguez believes the survival of civilization depends on standing with Israel. “So goes Israel, so goes the world,” he says. “We must be vigilant. We must defend and advance our Judeo-Christian value system–that’s our firewall.”
