John Hagee Disrupted at Church by Pro-Palestinian Protesters

Ardent pro-Israel evangelical pastor John Hagee was disrupted recently by a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters while delivering a sermon.

The San Antonio Police Department issued a criminal trespass warning to the 11 protesters. It was the first time that Sunday service at the estimated 19,000-membered Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, was interrupted.

“Each and every time Israel’s supporters see such disruptions, we are reminded of the hypocrisy of those who claim to support free speech, but seek to deny others the opportunity to express their views,” said David Brog, executive director of Christians United for Israel.

Hagee is the founder of CUFI, which seeks to advocate for Israel to the U.S. government.

“Of course Israel’s not perfect. And of course reasonable people can debate Israeli policy. But to disrupt a Christian worship service to slander Israel with accusations of apartheid and genocide is the height of intolerance,” Brog added.

The protesters attended the 11 a.m. worship service and some sat in the main section while others in the balcony area, according to an open letter by Hagee to TV personality Glenn Beck . When Hagee stood to deliver the sermon, dedicated to the “memorial imperative of standing with the Jewish State of Israel,” a protester in the balcony area began to throw down anti-Israel propaganda leaflets that partially read, “We stand in solidarity with Palestinians and demand an end to U.S. support for Israeli occupation, apartheid and violations of the human rights of Palestinians.”

The leaflet also contained the picture of a mother burying her child with the caption, “Your tithes are responsible for this!” Later, protesters one after another shouted pro-Palestine slogans, such as, “Free Palestine! Israel is apartheid. Israel has no right to the land.”

None of the protesters were Palestinians, but they were activists in the local community. One of the protesters, identified only as G.R., told The San Antonio Express News that the group chose to protest on May 15 because it is “al nakba,” or the day Palestinians remember their displacement after the state of Israel was founded.

Other than the trespass warnings, no other legal actions were taken so far.

Hagee was likely targeted because he is the founder of CUFI and arguably the most recognizable Christian Zionist. He has been criticized by some Christians for his seemingly unconditional support for Israel and opposition to dividing Israel, which critics point out would call into question the two-state solution.

The Texas megachurch pastor and face of Christian Zionism believes that God made an everlasting covenant with the Jewish people regarding the promised land and it should never be divided. He also believes that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed, which is a major reason behind his strong support for the Jewish nation.