Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised what he described as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, raising the issue again in his Easter message shared on Sunday.
In the message posted on his X account, Netanyahu extended Easter greetings to Christians in Israel, the United States and across the world. He said that Christian communities face threats and discrimination in several countries, including Nigeria, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey.
He maintained that Israel remains the only country in the Middle East where Christians are protected and allowed to practise their faith freely, noting that the Christian population in the country continues to grow.
Netanyahu also referred to ongoing security tensions in the region, stating that despite missile attacks targeting Jerusalem, Israel remains committed to protecting freedom of worship for people of all religions, especially during significant religious periods like Easter.
According to him, Israel’s priority is to defend lives, preserve liberty and ensure that believers can worship without fear.
The remarks follow similar concerns he raised during the Christmas season, when he condemned what he called the killing and displacement of Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world. At the time, he called for an end to violence against religious communities and stressed that Israel provides a safe environment for Christian worship.
Netanyahu also compared Israel’s record with countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey, where he said Christian populations have reduced over the years due to instability and discrimination.
