“Dear Christian friends, to all of you who gather this Christmas, I pray for blessings from the Holy Land,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday in a video recorded especially for the occasion. Wishing Christians a Merry Christmas.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also praised the support of Christians as Israel continues to fight Hamas terrorists and their barbarism, saying:
Dear Christian friends, as we gather with family and friends this Christmas, we wish the Christian community in Israel and around the world a Merry Christmas from the Holy Land.
As Israel fights on seven fronts, we are deeply grateful for the steadfast support of our Christian friends around the world.
As Israel defended our civilization from barbarism, you stood by our side, strong, consistent, and strong.
The people of Israel are united to protect our nation from those who seek our destruction.
We seek peace with all those who desire peace, but we will do whatever it takes to protect the one Jewish state, the treasury and source of our common heritage.
Israel is leading the world in the fight against the forces of evil and oppression, but our fight is far from over. I assure you that with your support and God's help, we will be victorious.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Jerusalem, the City of Peace
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wishes came true on Monday when he told lawmakers there had been “some progress” in negotiations to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, more than 14 months after the start of the war. .
Watch Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliver his Christmas message.
As of 2024, there are approximately 187,900 Christians in Israel, representing approximately 1.9 percent of the Jewish state's population.
Israel's Christian population is growing, increasing by 1.3% from the previous year.
Christmas festivities are especially famous in Nazareth, Jesus' childhood hometown in northern Galilee, where about 21,900 Christians live.
