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Samuel Rodriguez is an American evangelical Christian leader based in California, recognized for his extensive pro-Israel advocacy and his role as president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC). His documented relationship to pro-Israel advocacy is primarily characterized by his leadership, public statements, partnerships with pro-Israel organizations, and efforts to mobilize Christian support for Israel.
Rodriguez actively advocates for the state of Israel. He has been recognized by the Israel Allies Foundation as one of Israel’s Top 50 Christian Allies in both 2020 and 2022. In 2024, he received the Jerusalem Award from the Friends of Zion Museum for his advocacy. His work has been featured in publications such as the Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel, highlighting his commitment to Israel.
As the president of the NHCLC, Rodriguez utilizes his platform to encourage support for Israel among Christians, particularly within the Hispanic community. He is reported to be working to build a “firewall” against declining support for Israel among young Latinos in the United States. Rodriguez has publicly stated, “Our commitment to Israel is without compromise and is stronger than ever before.” He also co-founded the Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition (HILC).
His advocacy includes leading delegations of Hispanic pastors to Israel in partnership with organizations like Eagles’ Wings Ministries, with the stated aim of transforming “tourists” into “Zionists.” These efforts seek to strengthen bonds between Christian and Jewish communities and counter anti-Israel sentiment. Rodriguez has also signed the Bonhoeffer Declaration, which commits to combating antisemitism. His work has led to him being identified as a leading Latino Christian Zionist.
While Samuel Rodriguez is identified as an influential political figure who has advised U.S. presidents from both Democratic and Republican administrations on various issues including immigration, criminal justice reform, and religious liberty, direct evidence detailing his specific financial contributions as a political donor to the Israel lobby or pro-Israel political action committees was not identified in the provided search results. His documented relationship to pro-Israel advocacy is demonstrated through his active leadership, public statements, and collaboration with pro-Israel organizations, rather than through direct financial donations to lobbying groups explicitly found in these searches.
| Candidate | Years | Direct Contributions | Behested Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqui Irwin | 2026 | $250 | $0 |