Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has condemned the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, describing it as unacceptable.
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In his Christmas message on Wednesday, Netanyahu emphasised that attacks against Christians or members of any religion cannot be tolerated, urging an end to alleged militant displacement and violence against Christians in Nigeria.
He also highlighted Israel as the only country in the Middle East where Christians can freely practise their faith and celebrate their traditions without fear.
Netanyahu contrasted Israel’s approach with incidents in the region where Christian communities face intimidation and persecution.
According to him, while Israel’s Christian population continues to grow, the number of Christians in countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and areas under the Palestinian Authority has steadily declined due to systematic discrimination.
He cited Bethlehem as an example, noting that the Christian population there has dropped from 80 per cent to 20 per cent since the city came under Palestinian Authority control.
The Israeli leader also drew attention to acts targeting Christian symbols, mentioning that Jerusalem officially distributes Christmas trees annually, while a recent tree in Jenin’s Holy Redeemer Church was reportedly burnt.
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He said: “From Jerusalem, I send warm greetings to our Christian friends around the world. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. From here, the Holy Land, Israel, the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving.
“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 deeply appreciated, where Christians can celebrate their traditions proudly and openly without fear.
“In Jerusalem, the city municipality every year officially distributes Christmas trees. It has 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.
“That’s the difference. Israel stands up for Christians across the region, wherever they face widespread intimidation and persecution.
“While Israel’s Christian population is growing, the Christian population in countless areas across the region has been dwindling due to systematic discrimination and oppression. This has happened in Iraq. It has happened in Syria.
“It has happened in Lebanon. It has happened in Turkey. And it is happening in the Palestinian Authority.
“The birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem, used to have an 80 per cent Christian population. That was 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.
“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.
“I am sending Israel’s Christmas blessings to our Christian friends around the world. And I ask you to know that Israel will always stand with you.”
This comes after United States President Donald Trump, a close ally of Netanyahu, stated in a post on his Truth Social account a few weeks ago that he had instructed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for possible actions in Nigeria.
He accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to what he described as the killing of Christians across the country.
Trump warned that the United States would immediately halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria if the attacks on Christians continue.
He also indicated that America might intervene militarily to eliminate what he called “Islamic terrorists” responsible for the killings.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote.
He further stated: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
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