By DAYO ADESULU
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced what he described as a “new front” in Israel’s global engagement, declaring that his government will intensify efforts to protect Christian communities across the Middle East and Africa, with Nigeria specifically mentioned as a country of concern.
Netanyahu made the declaration in a public address delivered on Wednesday and later published on the official YouTube channel of the Israeli Prime Minister. Speaking to an audience of Christian Zionists, the Israeli leader framed the initiative as both a moral duty and a strategic response to what he called increasing threats to the Judeo-Christian civilization worldwide.
The announcement comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and renewed debates over religious freedom, security, and the role of faith in global conflicts.
Netanyahu Credits Christian Zionists for Israel’s Survival
Addressing his audience directly, Netanyahu acknowledged the historical and political role of Christian Zionists in the creation and endurance of the Israeli state.
According to him, the alliance between Christian Zionists and Jewish Zionists was instrumental in Israel’s emergence and continued survival.
“You are representatives of the Christian Zionists who made Jewish Zionism possible,” Netanyahu said, describing the relationship as an “enormous partnership” that has endured difficult moments and geopolitical storms.
He emphasized that this bond was not merely political but rooted in shared values and beliefs that, in his view, underpin Western and Judeo-Christian civilization.
From Seven Fronts to an ‘Eighth Front’
Netanyahu revealed that Israel had recently confronted what he termed a “seven-front war” and emerged “in many ways victorious.” However, he stressed that a new and equally critical challenge had now emerged.
He described this challenge as an “eighth front,” centered on the battle for public opinion, values, and ideology, particularly among younger generations around the world.
“But there’s an eighth front,” he said. “And that’s the front for the hearts and minds of people, especially young people.”
According to Netanyahu, this ideological struggle extends beyond Israel and directly affects the United States, its allies, and the broader future of Western civilization.
A Shared Judeo-Christian Battle, Netanyahu Says
The Israeli Prime Minister argued that the challenges facing Israel were inseparable from those confronting Judeo-Christian societies globally. He rejected the idea that religion should remain silent in the face of violence and extremism.
“Faith should speak its voice,” Netanyahu declared, adding that terrorism must be confronted decisively rather than rationalized.
He insisted that this new front must be engaged with the same determination applied to conventional military conflicts, stressing that values, belief systems, and moral clarity were now central battlefields.
Nigeria Listed Among Countries Facing Christian Persecution
In one of the most striking parts of his speech, Netanyahu explicitly named Nigeria among countries where Christians are being persecuted.
He listed several regions, including Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Nigeria, as areas where Christian communities face persistent threats and insecurity.
Netanyahu claimed that Israel remains uniquely positioned in protecting Christians within its borders and supporting Christian communities beyond them.
“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,” he said.
He further asserted that Israel is the only country in the region that actively protects Christian communities, enables their growth, and ensures their security and continuity.
Israel Seeks Coalition to Support Christians Worldwide
Building on this claim, Netanyahu announced that Israel is working with international partners to form what he described as a “United Nations of countries that support Christian communities around the world.”
According to him, this proposed coalition would focus on supporting vulnerable and “beleaguered” Christian populations, particularly in Africa and the Middle East.
He noted that Israel possesses intelligence capabilities and operational experience that could assist such efforts, especially in regions affected by insurgency, sectarian violence, and religious extremism.
Protecting Christian communities, he said, would remain “a main part of our agenda” and would be pursued with “greater force and greater might” in the coming year.
Radical Extremism Identified as Global Threat
Netanyahu identified what he called “radical Shiite Islam and radical Sunni Islam” as the primary forces opposing Israel and the Judeo-Christian tradition.
He cited Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood as leading what he described as hostile ideological axes operating across continents, including Europe, the United States, Africa, and Nigeria.
According to him, these movements are not confined to specific regions but represent a coordinated global challenge that requires unified international resistance.
Call to Christian Communities Worldwide
The Israeli leader concluded his address by extending a belated Christmas greeting and New Year wishes to Christian communities around the world.
He expressed hope for peace, prosperity, and security, while reaffirming Israel’s commitment to defending Christian populations wherever they face threats.
As debates continue globally over religious freedom, security cooperation, and ideological conflicts, Netanyahu’s declaration signals a renewed Israeli emphasis on faith-based diplomacy and international alliances, with Nigeria now firmly on the radar of this emerging strategy.
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