The modern State of Israel (founded 1948) is a democratic Jewish state. The CIA World Factbook lists Israel as approximately 73% Jewish, 18% Arab (mostly Muslim), with Christians comprising approximately 2% of the population. Israel is not a Christian country by demographics, law, or founding intent. The question Christians typically mean is deeper: what is the biblical relationship between Israel and Christianity, and what does prophecy say about modern Israel? 55/100 Mixed — this is a theology question more than a country question.
The modern State of Israel was established in 1948 following the UN Partition Plan and the Israeli Declaration of Independence. It is a parliamentary democracy with a predominantly Jewish character — the CIA World Factbook lists Israel as approximately 73% Jewish, 18% Arab (predominantly Muslim), with Christians comprising approximately 2% of the population. Israel's Law of Return grants Jewish immigrants the right to citizenship; its Declaration of Independence commits to social and political equality for all citizens regardless of religion. Israel is not a Christian country by demographics, constitution, or founding intent.
Most Christians asking "Is Israel a Christian country?" are actually asking a deeper question: What is the relationship between the biblical covenant people of Israel and the modern state? Are they the same? What does biblical prophecy say about modern Israel? And how should Christians think about the Jewish people?
The biblical Israel: In the Old Testament, Israel is the covenant nation descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — called by God, given the Law at Sinai, led through the wilderness, established in the Promised Land. The entire Old Testament is the story of God's relationship with this people. The New Testament presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's covenant history — the promised Messiah born of the tribe of Judah, the Son of David whose kingdom is eternal.
The church and Israel: Christians are divided on how the church relates to biblical Israel. Dispensational theology sees a sharp distinction — the church is a separate entity from Israel, and God's covenant promises to ethnic Israel will be fulfilled literally in the future. Covenant theology sees the church as the continuation of the covenant people — Gentiles grafted into Israel (Romans 11:17-24) so that the church is spiritual Israel. This is one of the most significant debates in systematic theology, and Christians hold both views sincerely based on Scripture.
The "synagogue of Satan" passages: Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 refer to "those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." Christians interpret this passage in different ways: (1) It refers to Jewish opponents of early Christian communities who were persecuting believers while claiming covenant status — a specific first-century context. (2) Some interpret it as referring to those who claim spiritual descent from Abraham while rejecting Jesus Christ. Importantly, these passages address a specific group in specific contexts and should not be generalized to mean all Jewish people are of Satan — such an interpretation would contradict Romans 11:28-29: "As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
Modern Israel and prophecy: Christians hold a range of views on whether the modern State of Israel has prophetic significance. Dispensationalists (majority evangelical position) see Israel's 1948 founding and 1967 acquisition of Jerusalem as prophetically significant — fulfillment of Ezekiel 37, Luke 21:24, and other texts. Covenant theologians are more cautious about seeing the secular state of Israel as a fulfillment of covenant promises made to the people of God. Both views are held by serious, Scripture-honoring Christians.
See our guide on Is America a Christian Nation? for the comparable country-and-faith question. See our Theology Guides hub. GotQuestions on Israel in biblical prophecy. GotQuestions on the synagogue of Satan.