Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned what he described as an “Attack against Christians” in Nigeria, calling for an immediate end to attacks and displacement targeting Christians in the country.
Netanyahu made the remarks in his Christmas message on Wednesday, where he said violence against Christians or adherents of any religion is unacceptable and must not be tolerated.
He also said Israel remains the only country in the Middle East where Christians can freely practise their faith and celebrate their traditions without fear, contrasting this with what he described as declining Christian populations and growing persecution in other parts of the region.
According to him, while Israel’s Christian population continues to grow, Christian communities in countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and areas under the Palestinian Authority have steadily declined due to what he termed systematic discrimination and oppression.
Netanyahu cited Bethlehem as an example, noting that the city’s Christian population dropped significantly after it came under Palestinian Authority control. He also pointed to incidents involving Christian symbols, saying Jerusalem officially distributes Christmas trees annually, unlike recent events in Jenin where a Christmas tree was reportedly burnt at the Holy Redeemer Church.
He said, “From Jerusalem, I send warm greetings to our Christian friends around the world. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. From here, the Holy Land, Israel, the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving.
“Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practise 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 burnt a Christmas tree in the Holy Redeemer Church.
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“That’s the difference. Israel stands up for Christians across the region, wherever they face widespread intimidation and persecution.
“While Israel’s Christian population is growing, the Christian population in countless areas across the region has been dwindling due to systematic discrimination and oppression. 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.
“The birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem, used to have 80% Christian population. That’s when we were there. When we left and gave it to the Palestinian Authority, it has since dwindled from 80% to 20%.
“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.
“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.”