Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken publicly on the continued killings and displacement of Christians in Nigeria, describing the situation as a genocide and calling for an immediate end to the violence.
Netanyahu made the remarks in a Christmas message released on Wednesday, where he condemned attacks against Christians and other religious groups, stressing that such actions should not be accepted anywhere in the world.
His comments place fresh international attention on Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, particularly in regions where Christian communities have been repeatedly targeted.
In the address, the Israeli leader specifically mentioned Nigeria, urging that what he described as militant assaults on Christians must stop without delay.
He warned that ongoing violence and forced displacement threaten the existence of vulnerable religious communities.
“The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated. And the displacement and attacks against Christians in Nigeria, that too must end. And it must end now,” he said.
Netanyahu also used the message to present Israel as a safe place for Christians in the Middle East.
According to him, Israel remains the only country in the region where Christians are able to practise their faith freely, celebrate religious festivals openly, and live without fear of persecution.
“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 their traditions proudly and openly do so without any fear,” Netanyahu said.
He contrasted this with what he described as a steady decline of Christian populations in several Middle Eastern countries.
Netanyahu blamed discrimination, intimidation, and oppression for the shrinking presence of Christians in places such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and territories under the Palestinian Authority.
The Israeli prime minister also spoke on Bethlehem, widely recognised as the birthplace of Jesus, claiming the city has witnessed a major demographic change since it came under Palestinian Authority control.
“The birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem, used to have an 80 per cent Christian population. That’s when we were there. When we left and gave it to the Palestinian Authority, it has since dwindled from 80 per cent to 20 per cent,” he said.
Netanyahu further highlighted what he described as the difference in how Christian symbols are treated.
He noted that Jerusalem’s municipal authorities officially distribute Christmas trees every year, a practice he said has lasted for over two decades. He then pointed to a recent incident in Jenin.
“In Jerusalem, the city municipality every year officially distributes Christmas trees every year. 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,” he said.
“That’s the difference. Israel stands up for Christians across the region, wherever they face widespread intimidation and persecution,” he added.
Netanyahu concluded the message by sending Christmas greetings to Christians around the world, while reaffirming Israel’s stance on religious freedom.
His comments come amid growing international concern over insecurity in Nigeria.
In recent weeks, United States President Donald Trump accused the Federal Government of failing to protect Christian communities from persistent attacks.
Trump warned that the United States could suspend aid to Nigeria and even consider military options if the killings continued.
May God Almighty continue to bless the P.
M of a great country Israel, forever Amen
I actually don’t understand why people killed their follow human beings just because they worship their God in different ways.if Christianity is like that I don’t think I will accept that,must you force someone to be a Muslim no, preach if you can convince the person fine, that is how Christians behave, forcing an killing in the name of religion is not an option,be wise.
Let him stop genocide in Palestine before talking of what is happening in Nigeria and Nigeria killing is not religious.
Israel is the last place in the middle east where Christians feel safe, Netanyahu with the best propaganda machine in the world can not fool you people. Christians live better in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and even Iran than they feel safe in Israel.. If Israeli government wants you to stay, Jewish community will always embarrass you cos of your religion.
Bethlehem a birth place of the Messiah, the Ransomer Jesus Christ is now only 20% Christianity away from 80% status?
Oh dear!
Isn’t this delibrate?
If this continues then it’s obvious that Christianity is really under attack and the much cherished religious freedom for minority religious groups is just a fable not in practice.
Although Bethlehem is in today’s west bank reportedly occupied, but a former 10 tribe kingdom of ISRAEL with capital then in Samaria away from the 2 tribe kingdom of Juday who’s capital continues in Jerusalem till date.
God really did demonstrated his marvelous power by making the Messiah’s appearance to be from region of the 10 tribed kingdom and not from the other 2 tribes kingdom now called the Jews.
This should informed that the ongoing conflicts in the middle east (ISRAELIS /Palestinians) is needless because both Jerusalem and today’s west bank are filled with the Sons of Jacob even though there are other mix races today.
This man Natanyahu is shameless. He should address the muslims genocide in GAZA before talking about Nigeria.
Nigeria need help
Season greetings, we are happy that the international community is now speaking up against an offensive and persistence killings of Christin Nigeria.
This is a timely response.
The world has spoken to affirm the Truth. Let the United State of Nigeria be sincere to sworn oath of office. There should be stoppage of carnage and destruction of lives of innocent populace
What’s Netanyahu got to do with Christian genocide if there’s indeed one in Nigeria when he is a criminal wanted by ICCJ for genocide in Gaza? Opera must be owned by Igbo for such nonsense to be posted on the website, yamhead Igbo
What on earth has the Christians done to warrant this persecution by the Muslims? I have never heard where a Christian entered into a mosque killing worshipers. Christians all over the world are targets of mass murder by our Muslim brothers. I always remain confused when some Islamic clerics preach that islam is a religion of peace but deep down in their hearts there is always hatred for any Christian they come across. May God who is our Creator and who knows those that worship Him in truth and spirit forgive them.
This is nonsense
If person like shaitanyahu can told about this fictitious genocide its simply means lies
what about him that intentionally killed millions of innocence souls with the whole world witnesses
What a shameless is this shaitanyahu that makes human looks foolish because he kills many Christians in his unlawful operation
It will be better self the Israeli army can get involved in nigeria matter will be happy
Islamisation of not only Nigeria but the world is eminent. Is just matter if time and everyone will embrace islam just to live freely.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Nathanyau can do a lot to bring a lasting peace between all xtians and Muslims allover the world. Any of his actions reflects on xtians image . It is very possible to bring about a peaceful co existence between the two religion .Muslims should not be seen as enemies .cases of bandits land disputes,tribal issues ,separatist movement in Nigeria should not be mixed together ..,In southern Nigeria xtians,Muslims live happily together we have xtians and Muslims in almost every family in south west just as in Jerusalem .Christmas is a celebration for all. We pray the unity continue to foster.
But bro I don’t expect this such of comment from you, if you are a Nigeria you will understand as the thing it’s unless you will say it out of selfishness, this issue affected but the religions more especially the Muslim you are condemning, its just because they dont come to social media and start broadcasting as Christian do, bro many people cought from both the religions related to the scenes, ok like recent one in kogi state that vandalized church killed people and kidnapped the pastor, at the end, is it not the same members that been arrested as the plotters? Let’s be justified in our actions
Thank you PM Natanyahu, the great worror of Israel. We sincerely appreciate you Sir. We also want to inform you that the Islamic terrorist has tough us in a hard way to defend ourselves. Decide their faith henceforth, enough is enough. Sir, we have successfully formed what we called today Christian Defense Forces (CDF), with the arm to defend Christians communities in Africa and in the world against the Islamic terrorist and jahadis stupidity. We have successfully launched the African Elite Foundation to collaborate in our operations and we are aware of the Nigerian Government trying to sabotage our movement. We are also thanking the American Government for his relentless efforts helping to shape the world around terrorism. Thank you the world leaders
We Nigerian Christian Defense Forces, extend our appreciation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to all world leaders who continue to confront terrorism and extremism.
Terrorism, in all its forms, has caused immense suffering across communities and nations. These experiences have taught many societies the importance of vigilance, resilience, and lawful self-defence.
We reaffirm our commitment to protecting innocent lives, promoting peace, and supporting international efforts to counter terrorism through legal, ethical, and cooperative means.
We also acknowledge the role of the United States and other global partners in addressing terrorism and fostering global security.
Our position is clear: enough is enough. The world must stand united against terrorism, uphold justice, and protect vulnerable communities through lawful and coordinated action.
Thank you to all leaders and nations working toward a safer and more peaceful world.
Mr Ogun, you have to be sincere. Couldn’t you hear or aware of mass murderer of children in Gaza by Israel and US. In Nigeria here, you didn’t hear of killing of Muslim worshipers in the mosque. All that’s happened in Nigeria is not on religion but ethnicity. Who is killing who in South East of Nigeria.What Trump is trying now is about our economy. He has no Christian USA in Nigeria. If want to help let them discuss the issue with our government.Both Muslims and Christians are affected by those called Bandits.
What a contrast from a man who kills without remorse. More than 80k people killed because of their religious orientation and their ethnicity. What is the difference of nanthyanhu and the Fulani bandit. This world no balnce
Christianity is a choice and no one should be slaughtered because of that choice. This is the truth and it will win when the promised unknown day arrives.
That is the hypocrisy of the religion Islam that it’s adherents deceive themselves by calling it a religion of Peace. Since the advent of Osama Bin Laden’s 911 terror attack on USA , Muslim extremists see it as fashionable to attack people who are not of the same belief as them. Consequently they try to outdo each other with the level of the viciousness of their attack. People don’t need to offend them before they set them as targets for their wickedness. How do you explain a nextdoor neighbour cutting the Concertina Barbed wire on top of my fence jumping in to come and steal electric wires in my compound destroying my industrial machines for producing animal feeds,air conditioners etc. But unfortunately for them they couldn’t carry the stolen wires into their compound because of the height of the fence. But in the process they destroyed my machines and generators used for powering the machines.
What about the Christians in Gaza?
What matter to me and to others who believe in Jesus is that we cannot use evil to pay evil and being a man of God , I leave the fight for Jesus to fight for us because he is the one who brought Christianity to us. The light must shine upon the good and also upon the wicked ones in this country. Nigeria can never be only christians nether be Muslims country alone . This country is meant for us and we must love ourselves like brother and sister. Pastor David ok…the SM TAMOG CHURCH shepherd in charge
Have you been living under a rock? What do you think happened when the United States went on to kill over 1 million people in Iraq and Afghanistan? I do not support the killing of Christians or anyone else for that matter. Violence against innocent people is wrong regardless of religion.
However, it remains a documented fact that Muslims around the world, including in Nigeria, are among the largest victims of so-called extremist violence. These groups kill far more Muslims than Christians, yet they are repeatedly portrayed as representatives of Islam.
If a tiny group that makes up way less than 1% of the world’s 1.9 billion Muslims commits atrocities, why is an entire religion blamed? By that same logic, should Christianity be judged by Western wars, colonial violence, or the millions killed in recent decades?
I have never heard of mainstream Muslim communities celebrating attacks on churches, just as ordinary Christians do not celebrate wars waged by Christian-majority nations. Extremists exist in every religion and ideology, but they do not define the faiths they claim to represent.
Islam, like Christianity, teaches peace and justice. Hatred and violence come from political agendas, ignorance, and extremism, not from sincere religious belief. Blaming all Muslims only deepens division and ignores the real victims, many of whom are Muslims themselves.
Very selfish post and comments , Islam doesn’t preach violence neither any Islamic scholar. Cut it short is PM Netanyahu a Christian or Muslim ? Capital no , what about d Genocide and mass destruction of palatine Christian and Muslims by Israelians . No body is talking only Nigeria with bunch of useless ppl giving room for all sort of nonsense. The western world are behind it in other to milk our resources. And yet u are here making noise . if a Muslim commit a crime is not the teaching of Islam that is his attitude, same as to d Christianity , we have Ipob they do kill ppl America didn’t talk netanyahu keep mute why ?
They said experience is the best teacher, I’m a firsthand experience,were Christians kill Muslim in Nigeria and nothing was done about it,the propaganda some Christians cleric are selling to the western world is nothing other than seeking for assistance,for crying out loud,how there natanyahu claim Christian genocide in Nigeria,he thought the world has forgotten how he and he’s associate United state of America, committed one of the most henoues Crime in Palestine, please stop deceiving us natanyahu,(game of politics)
Sit there and be waiting for Jesus to fight for u. Nonsense.