Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged an immediate halt to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere, condemning what he termed the persecution of Christians and members of other religions worldwide. The remarks were part of a video Christmas greeting posted on his official X account on December 24, 2025, addressed to Christians globally from Jerusalem.
In the message, Netanyahu stated: “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 highlighted ongoing threats to Christian communities in several Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey, where populations have reportedly declined due to intimidation and violence.
Netanyahu positioned Israel as a unique haven for religious freedom in the region: “Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practice 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.” He noted that the Jerusalem municipality has officially distributed Christmas trees annually for two decades.
In contrast, he referenced a recent incident: “By contrast, a few days ago in the Palestinian town of Jenin, Palestinians burned a Christmas tree in the Holy Redeemer Church. That’s the difference.” The arson attack on the church's Christmas tree and nativity scene occurred early on December 22, 2025, with Palestinian authorities arresting three suspects and condemning the act as an attempt to incite sectarian tensions.
Aligning with statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, Netanyahu pledged ongoing solidarity: “Israel will always stand with you.” Trump's administration has taken a similar stance, redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act in late 2025 over allegations of severe violations, including claims of targeted violence against Christians. Trump has publicly accused radical Islamists of mass slaughter and threatened potential military action, framing the issue as an existential threat to Christianity in Nigeria.
However, the Nigerian government has consistently rejected characterizations of the violence as religious persecution or genocide. Officials insist that Nigeria's constitution guarantees religious freedom, and insecurity affects citizens across faiths, driven by complex factors like banditry, resource conflicts, and insurgency rather than targeted anti-Christian campaigns. The government has described such allegations as based on misleading or incomplete data, emphasizing efforts to address security challenges impacting all communities.
International bodies like the European Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have condemned violence in Nigeria but typically frame it as a broader humanitarian and security crisis, avoiding singular religious narratives.
Netanyahu's intervention adds Israel's voice to a debate long amplified by conservative and evangelical groups in the U.S. and Europe, who cite reports of thousands of Christian deaths annually in Nigeria's conflict zones. Human rights organizations document high civilian casualties but often attribute them to multifaceted drivers, including ethnic tensions and criminality.
As Christmas 2025 concluded, Netanyahu's message underscored themes of religious tolerance, contrasting Israel's policies with regional challenges while extending seasonal greetings and reaffirming support for persecuted communities.
