Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied claims that he insulted Jesus Christ following a controversial statement comparing him to Genghis Khan, which sparked backlash, particularly among Christians.
Responding to the criticism on Friday, Netanyahu said reports suggesting he mocked Jesus were inaccurate. Writing on X, he stressed that no offense was intended and clarified that his comments were misinterpreted.
“More fake news about my attitude towards Christians, who are protected and flourish in Israel. Let me be clear: I did not denigrate Jesus Christ at my news conference,” he said.
The Israeli leader explained that he was quoting American historian Will Durant to illustrate a broader point about history and survival, not to demean religious beliefs.
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According to him, the argument was that moral values alone do not guarantee survival without the strength to defend them — a context he said was overlooked in the backlash surrounding the Netanyahu denies insulting Jesus controversy.
During the televised briefing on Thursday, Netanyahu had said that “history proves that, unfortunately and unhappily, Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Khan because if you are strong enough, ruthless enough, powerful enough, evil will overcome good.”
He added that “aggression will overcome moderation,” noting that societies must be capable of defending themselves.
The remarks, which are now at the centre of the Netanyahu denies insulting Jesus debate, triggered widespread reactions on social media, with many Christians describing the comparison as offensive.
Among those who criticised the statement was Munther Isaac, a Palestinian Lutheran pastor from Bethlehem, who said the comment was “offensive on multiple levels.”
“It not only compares Jesus to Genghis Khan, but also suggests that the way of Jesus is naive, while a ruthless, ‘might makes right’ approach is what ultimately allows good to overcome evil,” he said.
Netanyahu, however, maintained that his intention was to highlight the realities of global conflict and the need for strength, especially in light of ongoing regional tensions.
He also defended Israel’s recent joint strike with the United States on Iran, insisting it was necessary for security, while reiterating that the Netanyahu denies insulting Jesus claims do not reflect his actual position.