Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an immediate halt to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world, condemning what he described as rising religious persecution.
Netanyahu made the remarks in a video message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account as part of his Christmas greetings to Christians globally.
“The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated,” Netanyahu said. “Muslim militant displacement and attacks against Christians in Nigeria that too must end, and it must end now.”
In his address, the Israeli leader decried what he described as widespread persecution of Christians in several regions, citing Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey.
Echoing similar statements made by his ally, United States President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said Israel would continue to stand with Christians around the world.
“To all our Christian friends around the world — Merry Christmas,” he said.
Netanyahu also highlighted Israel’s treatment of Christian communities, describing the country as a safe haven for religious freedom in the Middle East.
“Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practice their faith with full rights and in total freedom,” he said. “Christian pilgrims are embraced with open arms and deeply appreciated.”
He added that Christians in Israel are able to celebrate their traditions openly and without fear, noting that the Jerusalem municipality officially distributes Christmas trees each year a practice he said has continued 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,” Netanyahu said. “That’s the difference.”
Netanyahu’s comments align Israel with the United States in framing violence in Nigeria as a case of Christian persecution. In recent weeks, President Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing allegations of a Christian genocide.
Trump has also warned of possible military intervention if the Nigerian government, which he accused of complicity, fails to act decisively against the violence.
However, Nigerian authorities have strongly rejected the claims, insisting that the country respects religious freedom and does not tolerate persecution of any faith.
The government maintains that victims of violence in Nigeria cut across religious lines and that the crisis is driven by broader security challenges.
International organisations such as the European Union (EU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have similarly condemned the violence but framed it as a complex security issue rather than targeted religious persecution.
