The Christian  right in the US believes that Israel must exist for the Rapture to occur.  
"The Rapture Factor
Why conservative Christians' love of Israel is intertwined with the Battle of Armageddon"

http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/2002/06/the-rapture-factor.aspx#cMpHE70WTrDwh0J3.99