Lela Gilbert
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Articles by Lela Gilbert
What Are The Key Issues That Could Potentially Endanger Israel?
In 2006, I was able to travel to Israel for the first time. Even as a child, I had learned from my father about the spiritual legacy of the Jewish people, the land God had given them, and how He had protected them. And, best of all, during that amazing year, I was able to set foot on the land myself. There I began to meet and come to know Israelis as friends and allies, and to see with my own eyes the biblical heritage I had inherited as a Christian believer.
What Are The Key Issues That Could Potentially Endanger Israel?
12 Non-Schengen Countries in Europe That’ll Make You Wonder Why You Ever Stuck to the Usual Destinations Is your Schengen Visa about to expire? Were you unable to attain one? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, you’ve landed in the right …
Israel and Syria: A Conversation with Charmaine Hedding
In 2006, I was able to travel to Israel for the first time. Even as a child, I had learned from my father about the spiritual legacy of the Jewish people, the land God had given them, and how He had protected them. And, best of all, during that amazing year, I was able to set foot on the land myself. There I began to meet and come to know Israelis as friends and allies, and to see with my own eyes the biblical heritage I had inherited as a Christian believer.
Are Christians Disappearing in the Middle East?
Lela Gilbert is Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom at Family Research Council. This article appeared The Jewish Policy Center on October 1, 2025. “America remains today substantially what it has always been, namely a Christian country. That observation can sound aggressively partisan or intolerant, since some extremists believe that Americans are a Christian people who require a Christian government, with all that implies about religious exercises in schools and public displays.
Are Christians Disappearing in the Middle East?
(Analysis) “America remains today substantially what it has always been, namely a Christian country. That observation can sound aggressively partisan or intolerant, since some extremists believe that Americans are a Christian people who require a Christian government, with all that implies about religious exercises in schools and public displays.
Are Christians Disappearing Across The Middle East?
(ANALYSIS) It is entirely accurate to say that Christianity continues to thrive as an international religion, spanning vast regions across the world. But it is also necessary to acknowledge that the global Christian community is not without its travails.
Are Christians Disappearing in the Middle East?
“America remains today substantially what it has always been, namely a Christian country. That observation can sound aggressively partisan or intolerant, since some extremists believe that Americans are a Christian people who require a Christian government, with all that implies about religious exercises in schools and public displays.
Praying for a Better Future in Syria - without Jihadis
In recent days, a horrifying surge of violence and bloodshed has swept across Syria, leaving a civilian death toll of nearly 1,400. Most of the victims were part of the Alawite sect, former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s religious community. A number of Christians who live in close proximity to Alawite communities have also been killed.
Israel Needs Our Christian Support In These Dark Days
(ANALYSIS) Does anyone remember Oct. 7, 2023? Do you recall the heart-stopping morning news, declaring that Hamas terrorists had carried out the most horrifying, brutal massacre imaginable? While America slept, thousands of hate-crazed Hamas terrorists launched over 5,000 rockets from Gaza into Israel, homing in on small, peaceful Israeli towns, kibbutzim, and villages adjacent to Gaza.
Israel Needs Our Christian Support during These Dark Days
Does anyone remember October 7, 2023? Do you recall the heart-stopping morning news, declaring that Hamas terrorists had carried out the most horrifying, brutal massacre imaginable? While America slept, thousands of hate-crazed Hamas terrorists launched over 5,000 rockets from Gaza into Israel, homing in on small, peaceful Israeli towns, kibbutzim, and villages adjacent to Gaza.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem ... and America
Israel — the Jewish state — is a focal point of concern to countless American Jews and Christians, particularly during times of political and military turbulence. And for me, having lived in Jerusalem for 10 years, my interest is focused not only on international news reports but also on specific Israeli friends and families and the difficulties they are presently facing. For example, on Sunday, August 25, I received one disturbing warning after another from a well-connected Jerusalem woman.
What Comes Next for War-Torn Israel?
Today — in mid-summer 2024 — Israel has been in a state of war for more than nine months. The battle continues in the Gaza Strip, where Israel battles Iran-funded Hamas terrorists after their horrifying October 7 atrocities against Israeli civilians. At the same time, the Lebanon border is aflame, as another Iranian proxy, Hezbollah, continues to launch thousands of rockets and missiles into Israel.
A Key to Unity in American Politics
As the calls for unity in this nation grow stronger, it is important to think about how this unity can be achieved. When I survey the U.S. social and political landscape, one key attribute I see missing is empathy. If we wish to be unified, we must learn to love the person with opposing views, even if we hate a policy or behavior that person is promoting. I’ll use an example from my background in counseling.
How Can Christians Respond to Israel’s Ongoing War?
A few days ago, in an online conversation with a Jerusalem friend, I inquired about her current state of mind. She has lived in Israel for decades. And after so many months of the Gaza conflict, along with political disagreements, protests, and other bad news, I asked her, “Are you and your friends hopeful? Are you anxious? Or angry?
Why Is the U.S. Turning a Blind Eye to Nigeria’s Genocide?
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Why is the US turning a blind eye to Nigeria’s genocide?
By , Op-ed Contributor The vibrant Nigerian nation enjoys not only the largest African population, but also the on the entire continent. Nigeria’s oil sector is responsible for much of the country’s success, making it wealthier than all other West African nations and thus holding considerable power. Even Nigeria’s historic art culture is acclaimed by some European experts, while its music scene is also applauded by many. That’s the good news.
Why Is the U.S. Turning a Blind Eye to Nigeria’s Genocide?
The vibrant Nigerian nation enjoys not only the largest African population, but also the on the entire continent. Nigeria’s oil sector is responsible for much of the country’s success, making it wealthier than all other West African nations and thus holding considerable power. Even Nigeria’s historic art culture is acclaimed by some European experts, while its music scene is also applauded by many. That’s the good news.
Remembering the Passover in Troubled Times
On my office wall hangs a framed print, created by Australian Jewish artist and friend Camille Fox. Her original painting is titled “Last Passover in Baghdad.” It depicts a gathering of 15 Jews of all ages, gathered around an elegant dining table, with a moonlit Middle East cityscape in the background. Their faces are mostly troubled and uncertain.
Is the White House Playing Political Games with Israel’s Soldiers and Hostages?
After having lived in Israel for more than 10 years — until 2017 — I suppose my emotional reaction to worrisome news from the Jewish State is a little more intense than some other Americans’ might be. My first response to reports of violence and death — wars and rumors of wars — is to immediately contact some half a dozen very well-informed Israeli friends to find out what’s really going on. Of course, what I primarily want to know is how serious are the reports?
Robert Aderholt, Lela Gilbert, S. A. McCarthy, David Closson
On today’s program: Robert Aderholt, U.S. Representative for the 4th District of Alabama, shares the latest on the budget debate on Capitol Hill and explains why he opposes the spending bill. He also reacts to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s filing of a surprise motion to vacate against House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Abused Armenian Christians: Today and Yesterday
“Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” Those were Adolph Hitler’s infamous words — which he used both to justify and to diminish the significance of his pending invasion of Poland in 1939. They are often quoted as a reminder of the Fuhrer’s bloodthirsty ambitions; he was referring to the near-annihilation of Armenia’s Christians which took place from spring 1915 through autumn 1916.
Remember to Pray for Nigeria’s Endangered Christians
Why are Nigeria’s Christians facing grave danger? Why have kidnappings and murders of pastors, priests, men, women, and children in Nigeria continued to increase in numbers? The fact is that more Christian believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria each year than in the rest of the countries of the world combined. Meanwhile, the international response to these tragedies has for too long been virtual silence. Now, however, a few essential voices are beginning to speak up.
Artsakh: The Final Days of a Christian Community
Nagorno Karabakh, a tiny Christian enclave locally known as Artsakh, was located for many years in the shadow of Azerbaijan — Ilham Aliyev’s Islamist regime. Despite its location, however, Artsakh’s little community of Armenian Orthodox believers always viewed itself as part of historical Armenia. In 2004, I had the pleasure of spending a couple of weeks in Artsakh.
Saturday People, Sunday People and Americans at Risk
On November 29 in New York, the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center Square was violently disrupted by hundreds of protestors, many in Islamic garb, chanting “From the River to the Sea…” — a call for the destruction of Israel. At least two signs bearing Nazi swastikas were in full view. “The Christmas tree brings a message of peace, not conflict,” one frustrated tourist said.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and the People of Israel
As the saying goes, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” And since Jerusalem was my home for more than 10 years, I’m immediately wide-awake when terror and war strike there once again. Attacks on Israel are a powerful blow to the soul of everyone who loves the Jewish state and its people. During that remarkable decade in my life — from 2006 to 2017 — I made some dear friends. Some, like me, are parents of grown children.
Israel’s 9/11: Deadly Attacks on Israel’s Vulnerable Borders
“This is Israel’s 9/11.” That simple declaration has become a repeated theme since October 7, 2023. And yes, 9/11 is a fair comparison, as news from the Middle East continues to provide details of the massive early-morning attack Hamas terrorists launched that Sabbath morning. Their targets included numerous towns, villages, and kibbutzim in the south of Israel. The vicious invaders murdered, raped, kidnapped, beheaded, and tortured innumerable Israelis.
Tragic Dispatches From Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenian Christians Flee Another Genocide
(ANALYSIS) In recent months, good news has been hard to come by in our troubled world. While we try to stay focused on the seemingly endless Ukraine-Russian conflict, our attention was suddenly distracted by a deadly earthquake in Morocco, soon followed by tragic news from Libya, where devastating floods cost some 10,000 lives. Meanwhile, despotic leaders have never ceased to plague the planet. And today, another crisis brings to mind the evildoing of Adolf Hitler.
Dispatches From Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenian Christians Flee Another Genocide
Lela Gilbert is Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom at Family Research Council. This article appeared in Religion Unplugged on September 26, 2023. In recent months, good news has been hard to come by in our troubled world. While we try to stay focused on the seemingly endless Ukraine-Russian conflict, our attention was suddenly distracted by a deadly earthquake in Morocco, soon followed by tragic news from Libya, where devastating floods cost some 10,000 lives.
Ilham Aliyev: The Face of Crimes against Armenians
Some years ago, Bob Dylan wrote one of his many grim observations about politics, “We live in a political world where love don’t have any place…we’re living in times where men commit crimes… And crime don’t have a face…”More often than not, Dylan’s words ring true. But right at the moment, one particular political crime does have a face.
Slow and Silent Genocide: Please Pray for Artsakh’s Endangered Armenian Christians
Have you heard about the small Armenian enclave called Nagorno-Karabakh, which is also known as Artsakh? Even if you’ve heard of it, could you find it on a map? Probably not. In fact, most Americans — apart from those of Armenian heritage — are unaware of that community’s existence. I became acquainted with Artsakh’s beleaguered Christian community more than a decade ago.
A Brief Return to Israel: Reflections and Reasons for Concern
By Lela Gilbert Driving with friends along Israel’s sun-drenched border with Lebanon was a fascinating way to begin my latest visit to the Jewish State. And, fortunately, on that bright mid-August day, it felt like a perfectly calm and serene outing. It was, for me, an opportunity to see that northernmost edge of Israel, which I had never visited during the decade I lived in Jerusalem. In fact, I had first moved to Jerusalem during the 2006 Lebanon War.
Why Is the Biden Administration Overlooking Nigeria’s Jihadi Attacks on Christians?
Note: This is the conclusion of our two-part series on Christian persecution in Africa (read part one). Here we specifically focus on the ongoing jihadi attacks in Nigeria… and beyond. Radical Islamists are continuing their lethal aggression across Africa, as we reported last week, often targeting individual Christians, their churches, and communities. Christians in Africa’s largest nation, Nigeria, have fallen victim to jihadi terrorism since the early 2000s.
Africa’s Christian Believers Face Ever-Increasing Dangers
Note: This is the first of a two-part series on Christian persecution in Africa. We will report specifically about the ongoing attacks in Nigeria next week in The Washington Stand. Today’s Christian believers are facing an ever-darkening world. We are continuously confronted with shocking news reports, disturbing ideologies, and dangerous influences in our own country — outrageous stories vie for our attention. And, of course, our first responsibilities lie close to home.
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh: Scarred by Genocide, Endangered by Islamist Threats
“Who, after all, speaks today about the annihilation of the Armenians?” So said Adolf Hitler in 1939. He wrote these words while plotting his genocide of Germany’s Jews. He was counting on the world’s short memory of the Armenian Genocide, which to him seemed more or less forgotten, although it had cost the world as many as 1.5 million Armenian lives only two decades before. As we sadly recall those mass slaughters today, hatred against both Jews and Armenians continues to thrive.
It’s Time for America to Remember Nigeria
For many years, and in ever-escalating numbers, Nigerian Christians have been enduring horrific violence in their communities, churches, and homes. This bloodshed has been imposed by Islamist groups Boko-Haram, Fulani radicals, and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Meanwhile, tragically and inexcusably, the Christians’ need for protection has been largely ignored by Nigeria’s state and federal government authorities.
Dangers facing Israel are exceptionally hazardous
By Lela Gilbert, Op-ed Contributor | Thursday, April 13, 2023 Calls to prayer are quite common in the Middle East, where they emanate from churches, synagogues, and mosques on a regular basis. However, specific requests for prayer are being repeated more urgently in Israel these days, thanks to ceaseless warnings and near-constant bursts of gunfire and rocketry exploding across their troubled neighborhoods. Any of today’s flare-ups could pose a genuine threat to the Jewish State.
A Call to Prayer - For the Peace of Jerusalem
Calls to prayer are quite common in the Middle East, where they emanate from churches, synagogues, and mosques on a regular basis. However, specific requests for prayer are being repeated more urgently in Israel these days, thanks to ceaseless warnings and near-constant bursts of gunfire and rocketry exploding across their troubled neighborhoods. Any of today’s flare-ups could pose a genuine threat to the Jewish State.
Christian Aviators’ Release from Mozambique Prison Raises Hopes for Full Freedom
Since late last year, the international Christian community has been praying and fasting for three missionary aviators who were jailed for many weeks in Mozambique, East Africa. Thankfully, on March 15, (MAP) announced the good news that their pilot, Ryan Koher, had been granted a “provisional” release from prison in Mozambique. Although Koher and his colleagues are still required to remain in Mozambique, they have been released from imprisonment.
A Disappointing Election for Nigeria's Longsuffering Christians
Nigeria’s controversial president, Mohammadu Buhari, faces the end of his term of office in May 2023. With that on the calendar, the country’s presidential election took place on February 25 and 26. As Africa’s most populous country, Nigerian voters had the choice of more than a dozen contenders, three leading candidates represented their competing parties on the ballot: Atiku Abubakar, 76, ran on behalf of the primary opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Rep. Chris Smith Challenges Biden to Redesignate Nigeria as a Violator of Religious Freedom
For decades, Nigeria has been an epicenter of ferocious Christian persecution. Islamist radicals increasingly attack entire communities — torching churches and villages, kidnapping and sexually abusing women, killing pastors and their congregations. The perpetrators mostly include well-known terror groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), and radicalized Fulani tribesmen.
A Surging ISIS Threat Endangers Africa’s Christians
(ANALYSIS) Tragic reports about the killing of Nigerian Christians have become all too common. And the recent account of a Catholic priest being shot and burned alive in his church just before Christmas was particularly gruesome — in that same incident, 40 worshippers also lost their lives. According to The Pillar, the youngest victim was 2 years old. During that same attack on their village, several more children died in their homes as terrorists set them ablaze.
Did you know in US Jews are harassed 7 times a day?
By Lela Gilbert, Op-ed Contributor | Wednesday, January 18, 2023 Did you know that assaults, harassment, and vandalism against Jews take place in the United States seven times a day? Are you aware that lies and distortions about religious Jews and their educational institutions are being published in prestigious news publications, including The New York Times? Have you heard that Jews are targeted for more hate crimes in the U.S. than any other group?
What Every Christian Needs to Know about Anti-Semitism
Did you know that assaults, harassment, and vandalism against Jews take place in the United States seven times a day? Are you aware that lies and distortions about religious Jews and their educational institutions are being published in prestigious news publications, including The New York Times? Have you heard that Jews are targeted for more hate crimes in the U.S. than any other group? Maybe you weren’t aware of all this — most Americans aren’t.
Please offer up a Christmas prayer for Nigeria’s endangered Christians
By Lela Gilbert, Op-ed Contributor | Sunday, December 25, 2022 In 2022, much of the world’s attention has been focused on the horrific warfare in Ukraine, along with Iran’s courageous demonstrators, who are being violently assaulted for rejecting their country’s radically brutal regime.
Please Offer Up a Christmas Prayer for Nigeria’s Endangered Christians
In 2022, much of the world’s attention has been focused on the horrific warfare in Ukraine, along with Iran’s courageous demonstrators, who are being violently assaulted for rejecting their country’s radically brutal regime.
Abraham Accords, the JCPOA, and Joe Biden’s Strange Attachment to Iran
Images of brave, death-defying protestors have flooded the highways and byways of Iran, and the world has been amazed by the courage of these fearless women and men. They have stirred the hearts of liberty-loving westerners with their angry chants against the mullahs of the Iranian dictatorship. And in the process, they also managed to silence — at least for the moment — the voice of U.S. special representative for Iran, Robert Malley.
Iran’s Courageous Christians Join the Revolution | Opinion
The first tremor of distress rippled across Iran on Sept. 16, 2022, after the tragic death of a beautiful young woman-Mahsa Amini, also known as Jina Amini. Twitter watchers first saw a photo of Mahsa, unconscious and on life-support, the victim of a vicious beating by Iran's "religious morality" police. They had arrested and violently assaulted her for not wearing her hijab properly-some of her hair had been exposed. She quickly died of a massive brain injury.
Iran's Courageous Christians Join the Revolution
Lela Gilbert is Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom at Family Research Council. This article appeared in Newsweek on December 8, 2022. The first tremor of distress rippled across Iran on Sept. 16, 2022, after the tragic death of a beautiful young woman—Mahsa Amini, also known as Jina Amini. Twitter watchers first saw a photo of Mahsa, unconscious and on life-support, the victim of a vicious beating by Iran's "religious morality" police.
The U.S. State Department’s Outrageous Betrayal of Nigeria’s Suffering Christians
For Christians, Nigeria has long been one of most violently abusive countries in the world. At the same time, the country also persists in mistreating atheists and other religious groups as well as non-radicalized Muslims. But Christians, in particular, continue to suffer brutal abuses, massacres, and terrorism. Genocide Watch has reported that in Nigeria, more than 6,000 Christians were killed in 15 months (January 2021-March 2022), while 45,644 died in the course of 13 years.
Putin's Folly: Identifying as a Defender of Religious Freedom
In February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, most western Christians didn't express immediate concern about threats to religious freedom. Of course, everyone knew the fighting would be ugly. And a general sense of dread was stirred up by reports of Russia's notorious ruthlessness in other conflicts. Yet specific fears of what might happen to religious believers in Ukraine were not clear in our minds. In retrospect, we should have been paying closer attention.
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