Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel is working closely with the United States to support and protect Christian communities facing persecution in Nigeria.
Netanyahu made the statement on Friday while addressing leaders of the evangelical community during a meeting in Florida. He said Israel is advancing an agenda focused on defending embattled Christian populations around the world, describing Israel as the only nation actively ensuring the safety and growth of Christian communities.
According to the Israeli leader, global threats to what he called the Judeo-Christian tradition are being driven by extremist forces. He identified radical Shiite and Sunni Islamist groups as the main actors behind attacks on religious communities across different regions.
Netanyahu specifically referenced Iran-led and Muslim Brotherhood–aligned movements, saying their influence extends beyond the Middle East to Europe, the United States, and Africa, including Nigeria. He noted that Christians are being persecuted in several countries, such as Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Nigeria.
“We are conscious of the fact that Christians are being persecuted across the Middle East and beyond,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel has consistently taken steps to protect Christian communities and enable them to thrive.
He revealed that Israel is working toward forming a coalition of nations dedicated to supporting vulnerable Christian populations worldwide. According to him, Israel is prepared to contribute intelligence and other resources, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, to help address the crisis.
Netanyahu’s remarks followed a meeting with US President Donald Trump, who announced air strikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day, citing the need to halt what he described as ongoing persecution of Christians. Netanyahu publicly supported the US position, calling for an end to attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
Israel remains the only country to openly back the US stance on the situation, reinforcing the long-standing alliance between the two nations.
