Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an immediate end to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world, condemning what he described as religious persecution.

Netanyahu made the statement in a video message shared on his official X account as part of his Christmas greeting to Christians globally.

“The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated. Muslim militant displacement and attacks against Christians in Nigeria must end, and it must end now,” he said.

While addressing the situation in Nigeria, the Israeli leader also referenced countries in the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey, where he said Christians continue to face persistent threats.

Aligning with a position earlier taken by former United States President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said Israel would continue to stand with Christians worldwide.

“Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practice their faith with full rights and total freedom, where Christian pilgrims are welcomed and deeply appreciated,” he said.

He added that Christians in Israel are able to celebrate their traditions openly and without fear, noting that the Jerusalem municipality has officially distributed Christmas trees annually for over two decades.

“By contrast, a few days ago in the Palestinian town of Jenin, Palestinians burned a Christmas tree in the Holy Redeemer Church. That’s the difference,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu’s remarks align Israel with the United States in framing violence in Nigeria as religious persecution. However, other international bodies, including the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have described the violence as part of a broader security crisis rather than targeted religious attacks.

In recent weeks, Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over allegations of a Christian genocide and warned of possible military action if the Nigerian government failed to act decisively.

The Nigerian government has rejected the allegations, maintaining that the country upholds freedom of religion and that victims of violence span different religious groups, not a single faith.