Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced militant assaults on Christians in Nigeria, declaring that such religious persecution “must end now,” as part of a broader condemnation of violence against faith communities worldwide.
In a Christmas address delivered from Jerusalem on December 25, Netanyahu extended holiday wishes to Christians globally while emphasizing Israel’s role as a haven for religious freedom in the Middle East.
“From Jerusalem, I send warm greetings to our Christian friends around the world. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” Netanyahu said.
He portrayed Israel as “the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving,” where believers can “practise their faith with full rights and in total freedom.” He highlighted that Christian pilgrims are “embraced with open arms” and can “celebrate proudly their traditions and openly do so without any fear.”
As an illustration of Israel’s support, Netanyahu noted that the Jerusalem municipality has distributed Christmas trees annually for two decades.
In contrast, he pointed to recent events in the Palestinian territories, stating: “A few days ago, in the Palestinian town of Jenin, Palestinians burnt a Christmas tree in the Holy Redeemer Church. That’s the difference.”
Netanyahu asserted that Israel “stands up for Christians across the region, wherever they face widespread intimidation and persecution,” and claimed that while Israel’s Christian population is expanding, communities in other areas have declined due to “systematic discrimination and oppression.”
He cited examples including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and the Palestinian Authority, adding that Bethlehem’s Christian population has fallen from 80 percent to 20 percent since control shifted to Palestinian authorities.
Turning specifically to Nigeria, Netanyahu declared: “The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated. And Muslim militant displacement and attacks against Christians in Nigeria, that too must end, and it must end now.”
He concluded his message by affirming: “I’m sending Israel’s Christmas blessings to our Christian friends around the world, and I ask you, know that Israel will always stand with you.”
