Israeli leader issues Christmas appeal condemning violence against Christians in Nigeria, as U.S. President Donald Trump signals new pressure on Abuja.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned what he described as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, calling for an immediate end to religiously motivated violence in the country.
In a Christmas message released Thursday December 25, 2925, Netanyahu said attacks on Christians or adherents of any faith are unacceptable anywhere in the world. He urged Nigerian authorities to act decisively against militant violence and displacement affecting Christian communities.
“The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated,” Netanyahu said. “Militant attacks against Christians in Nigeria must end, and they must end now.”
His remarks came as Christians around the world marked Christmas, drawing renewed attention to religious freedom and security concerns in parts of Africa and the Middle East. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has for years faced deadly attacks linked to insurgent groups and armed militias, particularly in its northern and central regions. The Nigerian government says the violence is driven by complex factors, including terrorism, banditry, and competition over land.
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Netanyahu also used the address to highlight Israel’s treatment of its Christian minority, describing Israel as the only country in the Middle East where Christians can freely practice their faith without fear. He contrasted that with what he called a steady decline in Christian populations elsewhere in the region.
According to Netanyahu, Christian communities in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and areas governed by the Palestinian Authority have shrunk over time due to discrimination and intimidation. He cited Bethlehem, revered as the birthplace of Jesus, saying its Christian population has fallen sharply in recent decades.
Netanyahu pointed to symbolic differences as well, noting that Jerusalem’s municipality distributes Christmas trees annually, while a recent incident in Jenin involved the burning of a Christmas tree at a church, according to Israeli accounts.
The comments follow recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Netanyahu, who accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians. Writing on his Truth Social platform weeks earlier, Trump warned that the United States could suspend aid to Nigeria if attacks continue and said he had instructed the Department of War to prepare for possible action.
Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims of religious genocide, saying it is committed to protecting all citizens regardless of faith and is intensifying security operations against armed groups.
Netanyahu closed his message by extending Christmas greetings to Christians worldwide, saying Israel would continue to stand with Christian communities wherever they face persecution.
