NASHVILLE, Tenn., October 2, 2024 —Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, and Clint Pressley, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, today submitted joint letters to President Joe Biden and members of Congressional leadership expressing Southern Baptists’ ongoing support for Israel, especially as tensions increase around the one-year mark of the October 7th terrorist attack.
“As we approach the somber one-year mark of the horrific October 7th attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists and in response to yesterday’s shocking bombardment from Iran, we write to you to unequivocally reaffirm the support of Southern Baptists for the people and the nation of Israel,” the letters from Leatherwood and Pressley begin.
Almost one year ago, SBC and other Christian leaders developed an “Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel,” in response to the horrific atrocities committed against the people of Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Messengers at the 2024 SBC annual meeting re-expressed their support for Israel by passing a resolution.
Leatherwood and Pressley continue in today’s letters, “At this dire moment, we urge you not to waver in your commitment to support the right of Israel to exist and defend itself, to see all of the hostages returned home, and to oppose all forms of antisemitism that emerge at home and abroad.”
The SBC resolution, “On Justice and Peace in the Aftermath of the October 7 Attack on Israel” states, “That we encourage Southern Baptists to pray diligently for a peaceful resolution to the war and all affected by warfare, petitioning God for wisdom, protection, and the ultimate blessing of a just and lasting peace among nations (1 Timothy 2:1-2).”
The ERLC’s “Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel” garnered more than 2,500 signatures from a broad group of evangelicals who support Israel and advocate for the vulnerable involved with this ongoing conflict.
For more information, visit the ERLC website.
