Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a powerful call for an immediate halt to violent attacks targeting Christians in Nigeria. The Prime Minister's urgent message came as part of his annual Christmas address to the global Christian community.
Global Condemnation of Religious Persecution
In a video statement released on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, Netanyahu strongly criticised the ongoing persecution of Christians worldwide. He specifically named several Middle Eastern nations, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey, as regions where such intolerance persists. The Prime Minister's message was shared publicly via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, @netanyahu.
Netanyahu stated unequivocally that the targeting of individuals based on their faith is unacceptable. "The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated," he declared, framing the issue as a fundamental matter of human rights and global security.
A Direct Appeal for Nigeria
The Israeli leader then turned his attention directly to the situation in Nigeria, linking the violence there to broader patterns of militant extremism. He explicitly called out Muslim militant displacement and attacks against Christians occurring within the country.
"...and Muslim militant displacement and attacks against Christians in Nigeria, that too must end, and it must end now," Netanyahu asserted in his video. This direct reference places the Nigerian crisis within an international context, signalling growing global concern over the country's internal security and religious tensions.
Context and Implications
The Prime Minister's Christmas message is a significant diplomatic intervention from a world leader not traditionally associated with Christmas greetings. By choosing this platform, Netanyahu amplifies the issue of religious freedom on a major global holiday, ensuring his message reaches a wide audience.
This statement is likely to draw increased international scrutiny to the security challenges in Nigeria, particularly in regions plagued by intercommunal violence and militant activity. It also underscores the interconnected nature of religious persecution, suggesting that attacks in one region are part of a concerning global trend that requires a unified response.
The call for an immediate end to the violence adds to the pressure on both Nigerian authorities and the international community to find sustainable solutions that protect all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
