Killings, Persecution of Christians in Nigeria ‘Must End Now,’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Blows Hot
The Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, has condemned the unbated killing of Christians in Nigeria by radical Islamic jihadist saying that the violence and killings “must end now.”
In a televised Christmas message he delivered in Jerusalem on Wednesday and also shared on various social media platforms, Mr. Netanyahu greeted Christians around the world on marking the 2025 Christmas Day celebrations while also using the opportunity to condemn persecution of Christians all over the world, especially in Nigeria.
Part of his broadcast reads:
“From Jerusalem, I send warm greetings to our Christian friends around the world. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
“The Holy Land, Israel, the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving.”
“The only country in the Middle East where Christians can practise their faith with full rights and in total freedom,”
“Embraced with open arms” and Christians are able to “celebrate proudly their traditions and openly do so without any fear.”
“Every year officially distributes Christmas trees,” a practice he said has been ongoing “for two decades.”
Contrasting the situation in Jerusalem with other parts of the Middle East, he noted that in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying that “a few days ago, in the Palestinian town of Jenin, Palestinians burnt a Christmas tree in the Holy Redeemer Church.”
“That’s the difference,” the Prime minister noted, reiterating that Israel “stands up for Christians across the region, wherever they face widespread intimidation and persecution.”
He noted that, while Israel’s Christian population is growing, Christian communities in many parts of the Middle East have been shrinking due to what he described as “systematic discrimination and oppression.”
According to him, “This has happened in Iraq, it’s happened in Syria, it’s happened in Lebanon, it’s happened in Turkey, and it’s happening in the Palestinian Authority.”
Referencing Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, Netanyahu said the city “used to have 80 percent Christian population,” adding, “That’s when we were there.”
He stated that after control was handed to the Palestinian Authority, the Christian population “has since dwindled from 80 percent to 20 percent.”
Speaking directly to the situation in Nigeria, the Israeli Prime Minister said, “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 promised that Israel will always stand by and with Christians all over the world, “I’m sending Israel’s Christmas blessings to our Christian friends around the world, and I ask you, know that Israel will always stand with you.”
US President Donald Trump, had earlier declared Nigeria a country of Particular Concern, for an alleged Christian genocide. The Federal Government of Nigeria has continuously denied the allegations stating that Islamist jihadist were killing both Christians and Muslims.
