In a pointed Christmas message that merged seasonal goodwill with geopolitical critique, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forcefully condemned what he described as a "Christian genocide" in Nigeria, while positioning Israel as the Middle East's sole bastion of religious freedom.
Speaking on Wednesday, Netanyahu declared that "Muslim militant displacement and attacks against Christians in Nigeria... must end now." He framed the violence as part of a troubling regional pattern, contrasting it with the experience of Christians under Israeli authority.
A Contrast in Freedom: Israel vs. The Region
Netanyahu’s message centered on a stark dichotomy. He presented Israel as a sanctuary where the Christian community is not only free but thriving. "Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practise their faith with full rights and in total freedom... and openly do so without any fear," he stated.
He supported this claim with specific examples:
* Highlighting that the Jerusalem municipality has officially distributed Christmas trees for two decades.
* Noting a recent incident in the Palestinian town of Jenin where a Christmas tree in the Holy Redeemer Church was reportedly burned.
* Citing demographic shifts, arguing that while Israel's Christian population grows, communities have dwindled in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and areas under the Palestinian Authority. He pointed to Bethlehem, claiming its Christian population fell from 80% to 20% after it came under Palestinian control.
A Broader International Context
The Israeli leader’s remarks amplify a growing international focus on Nigeria’s complex security crisis, often characterized abroad through a sectarian lens. His statement aligns with recent, forceful comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who weeks earlier threatened to halt all aid and prepare for potential military action against what he called "Islamic terrorists" in Nigeria if attacks on Christians continued.
The Nigerian government has consistently rejected this characterization, arguing that the violence driven by groups like Boko Haram and bandits affects both Muslim and Christian communities and is rooted in broader issues of governance, poverty, and regional instability, not purely religious persecution.
By invoking Nigeria's crisis in his Christmas address, Netanyahu intertwines a humanitarian concern with a diplomatic narrative, reinforcing Israel's role as a protector of religious minorities while implicitly criticizing the governance of regional rivals and drawing international attention to a conflict thousands of miles away. His message serves as both a blessing and a political statement, asserting Israel's moral stance on the world stage.
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