The Golgotha Crucifix atop the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Photo: Markus Bollen – Michael Hammers Studios Gmbh.

JNS.org – A new survey has found that millennial evangelical Christians support Israel less than older generations, a possible troubling new trend for one of Israel’s strongest and most vocal support groups in the US.

According to the survey, titled “Evangelical Attitudes Toward Israel and the Peace Process,” despite the fact that nearly 76 percent of evangelicals say Christians should support Israel, 41 percent of younger evangelicals have no strong views about Israel.

Additionally, the survey found that 77 percent of evangelicals 65 and older say they support “the existence, security and prosperity of Israel,” while only 58 percent of younger evangelicals (18-34) hold similar views and say they are less sure Israel’s rebirth in 1948 was a positive development for Palestinians.

“For the most part, younger evangelicals are indifferent about Israel,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, which conducted the survey in conjunction with Chosen People Ministries and author Joel Rosenberg.

The survey asked 2,002 American evangelical Christians about their beliefs concerning a wide range of issues involving Israel, from its place in the Bible to its treatment of Palestinians.

Sympathy for the Palestinians was found to be higher among younger evangelicals. While 59 percent of evangelics say Christians should do more to “love and care” for the Palestinians, that number rises to 66 percent for evangelicals ages 18-34.

“They believe God wants Israel to be there,” McConnell said, “but they also think God cares how the nation of Israel acts.”