Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled a bold initiative aimed at safeguarding Christian communities across the Middle East and Africa, including Nigeria, which he described as facing escalating threats.
In a public speech delivered on Wednesday, Netanyahu revealed that Israel would establish a “new front” to confront what he termed the growing dangers to what he called the “Judeo-Christian civilization.”
Addressing Christian Zionists during a televised speech uploaded on the Israeli Prime Minister’s official YouTube channel, Netanyahu emphasized the critical role Christian Zionism has played in the emergence and survival of Israel.
He declared that this support was indispensable to the rise of Jewish Zionism, saying, “Christian Zionism facilitated the rise and success of Jewish Zionism.”
He outlined that the geopolitical challenges Israel faces have expanded beyond military conflicts. “We’ve fought a seven-front war, and in many ways, we were victorious.
But there’s an eighth front and that’s the front for the hearts and minds of people, especially the youth,” Netanyahu stated.
The Israeli Prime Minister highlighted that the battle to protect Judeo-Christian values is not just Israel’s concern but also a shared struggle with the United States and other allies, a fight he believes is central to the future of Western civilization.
Netanyahu stressed that the conflict must be confronted with equal intensity as the other seven fronts Israel has been engaging on.
In his address, Netanyahu rejected calls for restraint when confronted with violence, asserting that “faith should speak its voice, and terrorism should be confronted, not understood, but confronted and defeated.”
He acknowledged the global nature of the fight against Israel and Judeo-Christian values, pointing to Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood as major threats along with radical Sunni and Shiite Islamic factions.
Netanyahu cited regions such as Europe, the U.S., and Nigeria, where Christian communities are increasingly under siege.
“Israel is conscious of the fact that Christians are being persecuted in the Middle East, including in Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Nigeria,” Netanyahu continued, emphasizing Israel’s unique position as the only country in the region that offers protection to Christians, enabling them to thrive despite ongoing threats.
In response to these ongoing challenges, Netanyahu announced Israel’s plans to build a coalition of nations dedicated to supporting persecuted Christian communities around the world.
This coalition would help bolster these communities with intelligence, resources, and strategic support, especially in Africa and the Middle East.
“Protecting Christian communities is a key part of our agenda and we will continue this effort with greater force and determination in the coming year,” Netanyahu concluded.
The Israeli leader also took the opportunity to extend his “belated Merry Christmas” and best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year, particularly for the Christian communities he vowed to protect.
This move by Israel marks a significant expansion of its role in international religious diplomacy, positioning itself as a protector of vulnerable Christian communities in regions plagued by religious persecution.