The government of Israel has shed light on how it plans to protect Nigerian Christians suffering religious persecution.
Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, who spoke to the press, revealed that Israel plans to protect Nigerian Christians through a framework of robust intelligence sharing and strategic partnership with local authorities.
Freeman made this known to provide context on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement regarding a “new front” in global security.
Freeman emphasized that while Israel is committed to the safety of vulnerable religious groups, the initiative will be conducted in full respect of Nigeria’s national sovereignty.
He said that the plan of Israel to protect Nigerian Christians from prosecution does not include a military attack as of now.
According to the envoy, the strategy involves a collaborative approach rather than unilateral action, ensuring that Israeli expertise in counter-terrorism directly supports Nigerian security agencies.
“This is about working with Nigeria. This is not about working against Nigeria. It’s working with them as a partner, as an ally, and seeing what we can do,” the ambassador said.
“He (Netanyahu) emphasised the issue of intelligence sharing and working in that area, and certainly I think that’s the area that we will be looking at to work with the Nigerian government; to see where we can work together to stop the attacks that are taking place against Christians, but also against Muslims and against all Nigerians.
“Our interest is to work with Nigeria to stop all the violence in this country.”
Freeman said Netanyahu’s remarks were not limited to Nigeria, but extended to countries around the world where Christians face persecution.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Netanyahu had revealed that plans by the government of Israel to protect Nigerian Christians during a meeting with evangelical community leaders in Florida last week.
He named Nigeria among countries where Christians are “persecuted” and touted Israel as the only nation in the world capable of protecting Christians.
Netanyahu, during his Christmas message, said that attacks against Christians or members of any religion will no longer be tolerated.
He said: “From Jerusalem, I send warm greetings to our Christian friends around the world. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. From here, the Holy Land, Israel, is the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving.
“Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practise their faith with full rights and in total freedom, where Christian pilgrims are embraced with open arms and are so deeply appreciated, where Christians can proudly celebrate their traditions and openly do so without any fear.
“The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated. And the displacement of Muslim militants and attacks against Christians in Nigeria, too, must end. And it must end now”.
Netanyahu’s announcement came a few days after U.S President Donald Trump announced that the U.S forces launched air strikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day.
