Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an immediate end to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere, warning that religious persecution in any form is unacceptable and must not be tolerated.
In a Christmas message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Netanyahu said violence and displacement targeting Christians—particularly in Nigeria—must stop without delay. His remarks align closely with recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, reinforcing a growing international narrative that frames insecurity in parts of Nigeria as religious persecution.
“The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated,” Netanyahu said. “Muslim militant displacement and attacks against Christians in Nigeria — that too must end, and it must end now.”
The Israeli leader extended his condemnation beyond Nigeria, citing what he described as persistent persecution of Christians in parts of the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey. He reiterated Israel’s commitment to defending religious freedom and standing with Christian communities worldwide.
Netanyahu portrayed Israel as a regional exception, asserting that it is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practice their faith freely and enjoy full civil rights.
“Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practice their faith with full rights and in total freedom,” he said. “Christian pilgrims are welcomed with open arms, deeply appreciated, and able to celebrate their traditions openly and without fear.”
As an example, Netanyahu pointed to Jerusalem, where he said the city municipality has officially distributed Christmas trees annually for more than two decades. In contrast, he referenced a recent incident in the Palestinian town of Jenin, where a Christmas tree at the Holy Redeemer Church was reportedly burned, presenting it as evidence of stark differences in religious tolerance.
Netanyahu’s comments have drawn attention because they mirror claims made by the United States in recent months, including Nigeria’s designation by Washington as a country of concern over alleged persecution of Christians. Nigerian officials and independent analysts have repeatedly disputed that framing, arguing that violence in the country is driven by a complex mix of insurgency, criminal banditry, economic deprivation, and ethnic conflict, rather than a systematic campaign against a single religious group.
Critics warn that international leaders’ emphasis on religious persecution risks oversimplifying Nigeria’s security crisis and could inflame sectarian tensions in Africa’s most populous nation.
Nonetheless, Netanyahu concluded his message by reaffirming Israel’s solidarity with Christians globally, describing religious freedom as a core value that must be defended amid rising instability and intolerance worldwide.
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