Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent Easter congratulations to Christians in Nigeria and around the world. He promised to preserve believers’ freedom to worship as violence continues to afflict religious communities in some parts of Nigeria.
Netanyahu wrote on X yesterday, “To our Christian friends in Israel, the United States, and around the world, we wish you a blessed and joyful Easter.”Christians are being persecuted in many places in the Middle East, including Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Turkey, and more.
He also said that Israel is still “unwavering” in its defense of life and freedom, making sure that “every believer can pray in peace.”
His words focused on Nigeria, where there had been attacks on mostly Christian communities in the past several weeks and over Easter.
Authorities and neighbors stated that at least 17 persons were killed in an attack on Mbalom village in the Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday. This is part of the continuing violence in the area that has killed many people.
The most recent deaths happened after many events in northern and central Nigeria over the Easter holiday.
The Nigerian military confirmed that at least 26 people died in different incidents over the Easter weekend. These included the Benue incident, a gunfight that killed four police officers in Borno State, and an attack on a church service in Kaduna State that killed five people.
A shooting on Palm Sunday in the Jos area of Plateau State killed about 30 people earlier in the Easter season. This led to curfews and more security in the city. Local officials sent in more troops to stop the violence because they were worried that worshippers may be in more risk during Holy Week.
In the context of Israel’s own security problems, Netanyahu’s message also talked about tensions in the region as a whole, saying that “missiles are fired at our capital, the holy city of Jerusalem.” He also stressed the need to keep protecting Christian communities in Israel, which he said are growing and doing well.
Israel’s foreign minister echoed Netanyahu’s statement and wished Christians all across the world a happy Easter, especially those who were just beginning Holy Week.
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