Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an immediate halt to attacks against Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world, strongly condemning what he described as growing religious persecution.
Netanyahu made the remarks in a Christmas message shared on his official X account, addressing Christians globally and reflecting on the state of religious freedom across several regions. He stressed that violence targeting people because of their faith is unacceptable and must be confronted decisively.
“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 said.
In his message, the Israeli leader went beyond Nigeria, highlighting the challenges Christians face in parts of the Middle East. He mentioned countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey, where he said Christian communities continue to live under persistent threats and insecurity.
Netanyahu aligned his stance with that of former United States President Donald Trump, reaffirming Israel’s support for Christians worldwide. He positioned Israel as a place where religious freedom is actively protected and celebrated.
“Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practice their faith with full rights and in total freedom, where Christian pilgrims are embraced with open arms and are so deeply appreciated.
Where Christians can celebrate proudly their traditions and openly do so without any fear. In Jerusalem, the city municipality every year officially distributes Christmas trees. It’s been doing so for two decades.
By contrast, a few days ago in the Palestinian town of Jenin, Palestinians burned a Christmas tree in the Holy Redeemer Church. That’s the difference,” he added.
His comments further place Israel alongside the United States in framing violence in Nigeria as religious persecution, particularly against Christian communities. This perspective contrasts with positions taken by other international bodies such as the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States, which have described the violence in Nigeria primarily as a broader security crisis rather than explicitly religiously motivated attacks.
In recent weeks, Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over allegations of a Christian genocide, warning that stronger actions could follow if the Nigerian government fails to address the situation effectively.
Netanyahu’s statement has sparked renewed debate over how the crisis in Nigeria is interpreted internationally, as well as the role of global powers in responding to religiously linked violence and insecurity across Africa and the Middle East.
