Israel Appoints New Envoy to Christian Community

Jerusalem, Israel: Recently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration announced the appointment of a new ambassador focused on strengthening ties with Christian communities. This decision has been welcomed by various Christian leaders.

In an exclusive conversation held in Jerusalem, Ambassador George Deke expressed that the Netanyahu government highly regards his role. He stated, “We are witnessing an ethnic cleansing of the region by Christians. The number of Christians has plummeted from 20% of the Middle East’s population to under 2% today. All the areas where Christian communities once thrived are now desolate.”

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Israel is home to about 300 churches, which is double the number present in 1948, and the Christian population has surged from 34,000 in 1948 to over 180,000 today.

Regarding his new position, Deke shared, “My aspiration is to build stronger connections between the State of Israel and Christian leaders by articulating a fuller narrative of Israel that I believe is often overlooked in global discussions.”

According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, as of December 2025, Israel’s Christian population stands at around 184,200, constituting about 1.9% of the total population, with a year-over-year growth of 0.7%.

Before assuming his current role, Deke served for six years as Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan. He remarked that many people understand Israel solely through its Jewish identity, failing to recognize the diversity and complexity of Israeli society.

Deke mentioned that the rationale behind his appointment, which was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April, is based on three key aspects. The first is the unique bond that Christians have with the land of Israel, recognized as the birthplace of Christianity.

Secondly, there are profound historical connections illustrated by the Church in the Holy Land and the shared Biblical values that unite Christians and Jews, from which principles like democracy, individualism, and freedom of thought originate.

Lastly, Israel aims to cultivate relationships with all religious communities. Deke added, “There exists a special relationship with Christians both abroad and within Israel, which is the only Christian community in the Middle East that is positively growing and thriving within Israeli society.”

Jürgen Bühler, Director of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, commented, “As the only nation to designate a special envoy to Christendom, Israel deeply appreciates Christian support and the ongoing commitment to nurturing Christian-Jewish relations. This is particularly crucial in an era when anti-Semitism resurfaces, evidently spreading across poorly regulated digital spaces.”

The organization has been active for 46 years, with representatives in about 185 countries worldwide. Recently, they convened an emergency summit addressing anti-Semitism, engaging over 200 theologians, pastors, and ministry leaders from more than 30 countries, along with approximately 3,000 online participants.

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During his remarks, Deke reflected on Israel’s potential to serve as a model and partner for others in the region, allowing for the free practice of faith and enabling people to remain in their ancestral lands.

However, he acknowledged recent troubling incidents involving attacks on Christian symbols and a reported assault on a Christian nun. “These acts represent an assault on the values upon which this country was built—values of tolerance and acceptance. No one has the right to perpetrate violence against others for any reason, particularly against symbols representing Christianity, Islam, or Judaism,” he noted.

Deke emphasized that such actions have been firmly condemned by all levels of Israeli leadership, including the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Addressing the context of the rising anti-Semitism globally, he remarked that hatred beginning with Jewish communities extends to other minorities, as evidenced by the treatment of Christians in places like Gaza.

Challenges Facing Christians in the Region

Despite this hostile backdrop, Deke pointed out that Israel remains a sanctuary where minorities can safely practice their faith. In fact, he noted that they are not just surviving but thriving within Israel.

However, he warned against misleading narratives propagated by various groups that claim mistreatment of Christians in Israel. He sees his aim as a personal mission rather than a political endeavor, encouraging Christians to visit the Holy Land and reconnect with their roots.

As Deke put it, “Under the guardianship of Israel, which protects the Holy Land of Christianity, I hope to facilitate reconnections with the values that unite all biblical peoples around the world.”