Netanyahu Condemns Attacks on Christians in Nigeria, Says Islamist Violence Must End

Netanyahu Condemns Attacks on Christians in Nigeria, Says Islamist Violence Must End

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an immediate end to attacks on Christians in Nigeria, condemning what he described as Islamist-driven violence against members of the Christian faith.

Netanyahu made the remarks late Wednesday night in his Christmas message to Christians around the world, where he decried the persecution of Christians globally and singled out Nigeria as one of the affected countries.

Highlighting the deep historical ties between Judaism and Christianity as Abrahamic faiths with roots in ancient Israel, the Israeli leader said violence against any religious group is unacceptable. While acknowledging theological differences—particularly over the identity of the Messiah—Netanyahu stressed the need for solidarity in the face of persecution.

In his address, the Israeli prime minister criticised attacks on Christians in parts of the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey, before extending his condemnation beyond the region to Nigeria.

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“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,” Netanyahu said.

With the statement, Israel becomes the only country to publicly align with the United States on claims of targeted Christian persecution in Nigeria. US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Netanyahu, has repeatedly blamed Islamist groups for violence against Christians in the country.

Unlike the US and Israel, international organisations such as the European Union (EU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have described Nigeria’s crisis as a broader security challenge, rather than framing it solely as religious persecution.

Earlier, President Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern”, citing allegations of a Christian genocide, and warned of possible US military intervention if the Nigerian government—whom he accused of complicity—failed to take decisive action.

Concluding his Christmas message, Netanyahu assured Christians worldwide that Israel would always stand with them.

Meanwhile, the statement comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In 2023, as the Israel–Hamas war erupted, Christmas Day in Bethlehem coincided with Israeli military operations in the Jenin refugee camp, where at least 52 Palestinians were killed during retaliatory attacks.

Netanyahu Condemns Attacks on Christians in Nigeria, Says Islamist Violence Must End