Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned attacks against Christians in Nigeria, describing the reported violence and displacement as unacceptable and calling for an immediate end to what he termed militant assaults on Christian communities.
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Netanyahu made the remarks in a Christmas message delivered from Jerusalem.
Speaking in his capacity as Israel’s prime minister in the holiday address to Christians worldwide, he warned that persecution based on religion cannot be justified anywhere.
“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—this too must end. And it must end now,” Netanyahu said.
In the message, the Israeli leader contrasted Israel’s treatment of Christians with what he described as intimidation and persecution faced by Christian communities in parts of the Middle East, insisting that Israel remains the only country in the region where Christians freely practise their faith without fear.
“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 added that Israel provides full religious freedom to Christians and welcomes pilgrims from around the world.
“Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practise their faith with full rights and in total freedom; where Christian pilgrims are embraced with open arms and deeply appreciated; and where Christians can celebrate their traditions proudly and openly, without fear,” he said.
Netanyahu pointed to official recognition of Christian traditions in Jerusalem, noting that the city municipality distributes Christmas trees annually—a practice he said has continued for two decades.
“In Jerusalem, the city municipality officially distributes Christmas trees every year. It has been doing so for two decades,” he said.
He contrasted this with an incident in the Palestinian town of Jenin, where a Christmas tree at the Holy Redeemer Church was reportedly burnt.
“By contrast, a few days ago, in the Palestinian town of Jenin, Palestinians burnt a Christmas tree at the Holy Redeemer Church. That’s the difference. Israel stands up for Christians across the region, wherever they face widespread intimidation and persecution,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister also highlighted demographic changes affecting Christian populations across the Middle East, saying Israel’s Christian population continues to grow while numbers elsewhere are declining due to what he described as discrimination and oppression.
“While Israel’s Christian population is growing, the Christian population in countless areas across the region has been dwindling due to systematic discrimination and oppression,” he said.
Listing Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and areas under the Palestinian Authority, Netanyahu said the trend has been consistent across the region.
“This has happened in Iraq. It has happened in Syria. It has happened in Lebanon. It has happened in Turkey. And it is happening in the Palestinian Authority,” he said.
He cited Bethlehem as a prominent example, recalling its demographic shift over time.
“The birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem, used to have an 80 per cent Christian population. When we left and handed it over to the Palestinian Authority, it dwindled from 80 per cent to about 20 per cent,” Netanyahu said.
He reaffirmed Israel’s solidarity with Christians globally.
“I am sending Israel’s Christmas blessings to our Christian friends around the world. And I ask you to know that Israel will always stand with you,” he said.
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