If you keep track of Buzsaw's prophecy discussions and Holmes' body count posts, then you might get some insight.
I'm speaking from my own point of view. Israel is a country that had been built over Palestinian land which was taken by force and violence. Sure, the Jews did reside there before. But they didn't come back in peace; instead the Zionists organized shock troops and terror groups to seize land from local Arabs, back then in 1947.
The US remains a loyal supporter to Israel... you do know that the Jewish lobby is a strong force in steering US policies? Apart from that, I suspect that some Christian groups, especially those eager to start Armageddon as soon as possible, are strong supporters of Israel. Maybe they are involved in keeping peace away from the Holy Land. Why? Because, read Buzsaw's posts, Israel is part of a prophecy. Therefore the apocalyptical groups need Israel.
And yes, I suspect it was religiously motivated.