Por Renan Filho · 2026-09-30**Lead**
Franklin Graham, a prominent figure in American evangelical Christianity and president of the humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse, issued a blistering condemnation this week of a senior Palestinian Authority official who dismissed the Bible as a “falsified” and “contemptible” text. The exchange has reignited debates over religious legitimacy in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and drawn sharp responses from Christian and Jewish groups across the United States.
The comments came after Mahmoud al-Habbash, a religious affairs adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, stated during a televised sermon that the Bible had been “altered by human hands” and that it no longer carried divine authority. Al-Habbash’s remarks, delivered in Arabic and circulated on Palestinian media channels, specifically targeted the Old and New Testaments, echoing a long‑standing Islamic polemic that accuses Jewish and Christian scriptures of textual corruption—a concept known in Arabic as “tahrif.”
Graham responded swiftly on social media and in a statement issued by Samaritan’s Purse. “To call the Bible ‘contemptible’ is an insult not only to the millions of Christians who revere it as the Word of God, but also to the Jewish people who gave us the Scriptures,” Graham wrote. “Such arrogance reveals a heart hardened against the truth. The Bible stands unshaken, and those who mock it will answer to the Author.”
**Context**
The incident is the latest in a series of flare‑ups between Palestinian religious authorities and evangelical Christians, who have become some of Israel’s most steadfast political and financial supporters in the United States. Evangelical voters make up a sizable bloc of the Republican Party base, and many view the modern state of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Groups such as Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews channel tens of millions of dollars annually to pro‑Israel causes and settlement projects.
Al-Habbash, a cleric who frequently represents the Palestinian Authority in interfaith conferences, has a history of inflammatory rhetoric. In previous sermons, he has questioned Jewish historical ties to the Temple Mount and referred to Israeli policies as “a new Crusade.” His latest attack on the Bible, however, struck a particularly raw nerve because it directly targets the foundational text of Christianity and Judaism.
Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, is no stranger to controversy. He has drawn criticism for his past statements about Islam and his strong support of former President Donald Trump. Yet he remains one of the most recognizable evangelical voices in the United States, with a humanitarian network that operates in more than 100 countries. His condemnation of al‑Habbash carries weight among conservative Christians who view the Palestinian Authority as a hostile entity.
“This is not merely a theological dispute,” said Dr. Steven Pfaffenroth, a professor of religious studies at Duke University who tracks evangelical‑Muslim relations. “When a senior Palestinian official attacks the Bible in such explicit language, it reinforces the narrative among evangelical supporters of Israel that the Palestinian leadership is fundamentally opposed to the existence of a Jewish state and to Christianity itself. It makes peace even harder to sell.”
The Palestinian Authority has not officially distanced itself from al‑Habbash’s remarks. A spokesperson for the PA Ministry of Religious Affairs declined to comment when reached by FORTIS NEWS, but Palestinian media outlets have largely ignored the backlash, focusing instead on Israeli military operations in the West Bank.
**Analysis**
Why does this matter now? The timing is particularly sensitive. The Biden administration has been working quietly to revive a two‑state solution, while Arab states that normalized ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords are watching the religious rhetoric carefully. Any escalation in anti‑Christian or anti‑Jewish language from Palestinian officials risks alienating the very moderate Arab governments that Washington hopes will lead regional peace efforts.
For American evangelicals, the controversy serves as a rallying cry. Many already believe the Palestinian Authority is dominated by Islamist elements that reject religious tolerance. Graham’s statement will likely be circulated in churches across the Midwest and South, strengthening congregational support for Israel and hardening opposition to diplomatic concessions. Organizations like CUFI are expected to use the incident in their fundraising appeals and lobbying campaigns.
Yet the issue also exposes a fault line within evangelicalism itself. Some left‑leaning evangelical leaders, such as those associated with the “Evangelicals for Peace” movement, have urged fellow believers not to conflate theological support for Israel with uncritical endorsement of every Israeli government policy. They argue that demonizing Palestinian religious figures only deepens the conflict and ignores the persecution of Christians in Palestinian territories.
“It is possible to reject al‑Habbash’s comments without adopting a zero‑sum framework,” said the Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace. “Christians can defend the integrity of Scripture while still advocating for the human rights of all people, including Palestinians. The two are not mutually exclusive.”
But for now, the dominant evangelical voice is Franklin Graham’s. His condemnation has already been amplified by conservative media outlets and evangelical news networks, and it is likely to shape the way millions of American Christians understand the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict for weeks to come.
**Sources**
- Statement from Franklin Graham published on Samaritan’s Purse official website, September 29, 2026. - Sermon transcript of Mahmoud al‑Habbash, broadcast on Palestinian Authority television (WAFA), September 27, 2026. Translation provided by MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute). - Christians United for Israel (CUFI) press release responding to the controversy, September 29, 2026. - Interview with Dr. Steven Pfaffenroth, Duke University, September 30, 2026. - Comment from the Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Churches for Middle East Peace, published via email statement, September 30, 2026.