Netanyahu Champions Israel as Christian Haven Amid Jenin Christmas Attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a Christmas message from Jerusalem to position Israel as the sole Christian haven in the Middle East, sharply contrasting religious freedom there with a recent arson attack on a Christmas display at a Catholic church in Jenin, Palestine.

In a recorded statement released Wednesday, Netanyahu welcomed Christians globally and described Israel as “the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving.” He emphasized that Christians in Israel can practice their faith with full rights and total freedom, without fear.

Netanyahu highlighted Jerusalem’s longstanding tradition of distributing Christmas trees for two decades, contrasting it with the recent fire at Holy Redeemer Church in Jenin. According to Palestinian civil authorities, the blaze was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported.

Father Amer Jubran, the parish priest, condemned the attack but stressed it did not reflect the broader West Bank community.

Netanyahu cited declining Christian populations across the Middle East under various regimes, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and the Palestinian Authority. He noted that Bethlehem’s Christian population fell from 80% to around 20% after Israeli withdrawal in the 1990s.

The prime minister framed his message as part of a global call against religious persecution, referencing attacks on Christians in Nigeria by Muslim terrorists.

As Christmas observances resumed in Jerusalem and other holy sites, Netanyahu closed his statement with a blessing for Christian friends worldwide.