"Is it anti-Semitic to criticize Israel?" It is one of the most asked and most misunderstood questions in the conversation around Israel today. And the answer is more nuanced than most people are willing to admit.

So what actually separates legitimate criticism of Israel from anti-Semitism? And where does that line get crossed?

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah and Olivia tackle the questions their audience has been sending in, including the legal definition of genocide, what is really happening on the ground in Gaza right now, and why the Hamas-led exploitation of Palestinian civilians is not making Western headlines.

We unpack:

⚖️ Where legitimate criticism of Israel ends and anti-Semitism begins

🚢 What Gaza flotillas actually are and why Israel boards them

🌍 What life in Gaza really looks like right now

📰 The Hamas corruption story Western media is not covering

🧠 How to talk about Israel critically without crossing into anti-Semitic tropes

🙏 How Christians can hold both compassion and critical thinking at the same time

Article about Gaza conditions: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkdqkhwpzl#google_vignette

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Passages exists to build a community of Christians who are informed, engaged, and connected to Israel and the Jewish people.

Learn more at www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

"Christian Zionist" is being used as an insult. But what does it actually mean, and should Christians who support Israel be ashamed of the label?

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah and Olivia answer listener and live audience questions on some of the most pressing topics in the Christian and Israel conversation, from whether support for Israel is conditional on Israel's spiritual state, to the loneliness that comes with standing publicly for Israel in today's climate.

They cover whether Christian Zionism requires a specific end times view, how to raise kids with biblical literacy and a heart for Israel, how to share the gospel with Jewish friends without watering down the truth, and why so many pro-Israel Christians feel isolated and what to do about it.

Want to connect with a community of Christians who care about Israel? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

Is Christianity actually legal in Israel? Can Christians openly worship, evangelize, and build churches there, or is the reality very different from what people are being told online?

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee and Olivia Layne tackle one of the biggest questions flooding social media right now: has Israel outlawed Christianity?

As viral claims spread accusing Israel of suppressing Christians and banning evangelism, Josiah and Olivia break down what Israeli law actually says, what Christians experience on the ground, and why so much misinformation is shaping the conversation.

We unpack:

⛪ Whether Christians can legally worship and open churches in Israel

📖 What Israeli law actually says about evangelism and conversion

⚖️ The truth behind claims that Christianity has been “outlawed”

🧠 Why so many viral narratives about Israel and Christians lack important context

🌍 The complicated reality facing Christians in the West Bank

📣 How social media and influencers shape public perception about Israel

🙏 How Christians should think critically, pursue truth, and respond wisely

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee is joined by Samuel Ben-Er for an important conversation about a growing global reality: why are Christians being targeted in different parts of the world?

From the Middle East to places like China and Iran, restrictions on faith are increasing and in some cases turning into outright persecution. Drawing on historical context and present-day examples, this episode explores why Christianity is often seen as a threat and what that reveals about power, control, and belief.

Samuel’s article: https://providencemag.com/2026/04/christianity-is-the-vanguard-of-western-civilization-and-america-must-protect-it-abroad/

So what’s really going on, and why does this matter right now?

We unpack:

🌍 Where Christians are facing the most pressure globally and what that looks like on the ground

⚖️ Why authoritarian regimes often view Christianity as a threat

🧠 The deeper political and ideological reasons behind restrictions on faith

⛪ What happens when belief challenges government authority

📣 Why this issue is often misunderstood or overlooked in mainstream conversations

🙏 How Christians should respond with awareness, wisdom, and prayer

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee and Olivia Layne unpack a viral moment that sparked major controversy online: a widely circulated image involving Israeli security forces and a Christian site in Lebanon.

What actually happened? And why did so many people immediately jump to conclusions?

As reactions spread across social media, many began asking deeper questions about Israel, Christianity, and whether tensions between the two are growing. But is the narrative we’re seeing online telling the full story?

We unpack:

📸 The viral IDF photo and what actually took place on the ground

🧠 How misinformation and missing context shape public perception

⛪ The complex reality of Christian identity and worship in Israel today

⚠️ Why quick reactions online can often miss critical details

🙏 How Christians should respond with wisdom, patience, and discernment

IDF confirms photo of soldier smashing Jesus statue in Lebanon is genuine: https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-image-of-soldier-destroying-jesus-statue-in-lebanon-is-real-vows-action/

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee and Olivia Layne break down a rapidly shifting moment in the Middle East as Iran talks collapse, new dynamics emerge in Lebanon, and major questions remain unanswered.

With headlines moving fast and narratives changing by the hour, it can be difficult to understand what’s actually happening and what it all means.

So what’s really going on, and did diplomacy just fail?

We unpack:

🌍 What led to the collapse of recent Iran talks and why it matters

🇱🇧 Why Lebanon is suddenly becoming a key part of the conversation

⚠️ How shifting alliances and regional pressure are shaping what comes next

🧠 Why so much feels unresolved despite major developments

📣 The danger of reacting too quickly to breaking news and incomplete information

🙏 How Christians can respond with wisdom, patience, and prayer in uncertain moments

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

In this episode of Passages Pulse, a ceasefire is suddenly announced between the United States and Iran. But is the war actually over or just paused?

Josiah McGee and Olivia Layne break down the confusion surrounding the ceasefire, the competing narratives coming from both sides, and what this moment could mean for the future of the conflict.

We unpack:

📄 What we actually know about the ceasefire and what remains unclear

🤝 Why the U.S. and Iran appear to be saying very different things

⏳ What the next two weeks of negotiations could determine

⚠️ The risks of this moment collapsing back into escalation

🌍 What this means for the region and global stability

🙏 How Christians can respond with wisdom and discernment in uncertain times

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee and Olivia Layne explore a surprising and important question: what is happening in Jerusalem during Holy Week this year?

As Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, the reality in Jerusalem looks very different. With new restrictions in place across the Old City, many of the traditional gatherings and celebrations that define Holy Week are being limited or changed.

So what’s really going on and is worship being stopped?

We unpack:

⛪ What Holy Week is typically like in Jerusalem and why it draws believers from around the world

⚠️ Why restrictions have been put in place across the Old City, including key holy sites

🧠 The incident at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and what actually happened

📣 Why social media reactions may be missing key context

⚖️ The balance between faith, safety, and public responsibility

🙏 How Christians should respond with wisdom, humility, and prayer

Holy Fire Ceremony in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjPVOJ7Wf1M

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.