Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will support Christian communities facing persecution in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Netanyahu made the remarks on Wednesday, December 31, during a meeting with evangelical leaders in Florida, where he portrayed Israel as uniquely positioned to defend Christian populations globally.
“I see the battle against us and the battle against our Judeo-Christian tradition, basically being waged around the globe. And it’s waged primarily by two forces — radical Shiite Islam and radical Sunni Islam,” Netanyahu said.
He added, “That means the axis that is led by Iran, much battered, admittedly, but still there, and the Sunni axis led by the Muslim Brotherhood, which permeates everything.
”They go to Europe, they go to the United States, they go to Africa, Nigeria. And we are conscious of the fact that Christians are being persecuted — across the Middle East, in Syria, in Lebanon, in Nigeria, in Turkey and beyond.”
Netanyahu claimed Israel stands alone in safeguarding Christian communities.
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“We’re also aware of the fact, as you are, that one country protects the Christian community — enables it to grow, defends it, and makes sure that it thrive — and that country is Israel. There is no other. None.”
He said Israel was working with like-minded nations to assist vulnerable Christian populations.
“We are joining an effort to have basically a united nations or countries that support Christian communities around the world — beleaguered communities who deserve our help.”
According to him, Israel’s support would include security cooperation. “Just as you are helping us, we want to help back; and we’re capable of doing this. In Africa, with intel, in the Middle East, with a lot of means that I won’t itemize each one.
“This is what our agenda is; it’s a main part of our agenda.”
Netanyahu’s comments come days after United States President Donald Trump announced air strikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day, citing alleged persecution of Christians.
The Nigerian government had not responded to Netanyahu’s remarks as of press time.