Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly condemned what he described as the persecution and killing of Christians in Nigeria, calling for an immediate end to violence targeted at people on the basis of religion.
In his Christmas message delivered on Wednesday, Netanyahu said attacks against Christians or adherents of any faith are unacceptable, stressing that religious freedom must be protected everywhere.
He urged Nigerian authorities and the international community to take decisive action to stop what he referred to as militant displacement and violence against Christians in parts of the country.
According to the Israeli leader, Israel remains the only country in the Middle East where Christians can freely practise their faith without fear of intimidation or persecution.
He contrasted Israel’s approach to religious freedom with developments in several Middle Eastern countries, where Christian populations have reportedly declined due to insecurity, discrimination and violence.
Netanyahu noted that Israel’s Christian population continues to grow, while Christian communities in countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and territories under the Palestinian Authority have witnessed steady declines over the years. He cited Bethlehem as a notable example, stating that the Christian population in the city dropped from about 80 per cent to 20 per cent after control was handed over to the Palestinian Authority.
Highlighting Israel’s treatment of Christian traditions, Netanyahu said Jerusalem’s municipality officially distributes Christmas trees every year, a practice that has continued for over two decades. He contrasted this with reports that a Christmas tree was recently burned at the Holy Redeemer Church in the Palestinian town of Jenin.
“That’s the difference,” Netanyahu said. “Israel stands up for Christians across the region, wherever they face widespread intimidation and persecution.”
Turning his attention to Nigeria, the Israeli Prime Minister described the alleged attacks against Christians as deeply troubling. He said violence carried out by militant groups under religious pretexts must not be tolerated, adding that the situation in Nigeria “must end now.”
“The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated. And the attacks against Christians in Nigeria — that too must end, and it must end now,” he declared.
Netanyahu concluded his message by sending Christmas greetings to Christians around the world and reaffirming Israel’s commitment to defending religious freedom globally.
His remarks come amid growing international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges. A few weeks earlier, former United States President Donald Trump, a close ally of Netanyahu, accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that the U.S. could halt all aid to Nigeria and even consider military action if the killings continue.
Trump stated that he had instructed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for possible intervention, describing potential action as “fast, vicious, and decisive.”
The Nigerian government has yet to officially respond to Netanyahu’s comments, though security analysts say the renewed international pressure could intensify scrutiny on Nigeria’s handling of religious violence and insecurity