Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an immediate halt to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world, condemning religious persecution in strong terms.
Netanyahu made the appeal in a video message shared on his official X handle as part of his Christmas message to Christians globally.
“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,” the Israeli leader said.
While denouncing what he described as the global persecution of Christians, Netanyahu referenced Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey, where he alleged Christians face persistent oppression.
Echoing the position earlier taken by United States President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said Israel would always stand with Christians across the world.
He stated that Israel remains unique in the Middle East as a country where Christians can practise their faith freely and without fear.
“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,” Netanyahu added.
His comments align Israel with the United States in advancing claims of widespread persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
However, other international organisations, including the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States, have consistently framed Nigeria’s security challenges as broader violence affecting multiple communities rather than targeted religious persecution.
In recent weeks, President Trump re-designated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ over allegations of a Christian genocide, warning of possible military intervention if the Nigerian government, which he accused of complicity, failed to act.
The Nigerian government has firmly rejected the accusations, maintaining that Nigeria upholds religious freedom and that victims of violence span all faiths, insisting there are no state-sponsored or targeted attacks against Christians.
What you should know
The comments by Israel’s prime minister add to growing international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security crisis, particularly claims that religious persecution is driving violence.
While the United States and Israel have framed the situation as targeted attacks against Christians, Nigerian authorities and regional bodies argue the conflict is rooted in terrorism, banditry, and criminal violence that affects Muslims, Christians, and others alike.
The debate highlights competing global narratives over Nigeria’s insecurity, its causes, and how the international community should respond without inflaming religious tensions.
