Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s commitment to defending the rights of Christians in the Middle East in a video message from his office. He praised a group of soldiers as exceptional individuals in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Netanyahu highlighted that Israel not only fights for Christians’ rights in the region but also has Christian soldiers protecting Israel and supporting Christian communities.
He expressed admiration for the soldiers’ personal stories, dedication, sacrifices, and accomplishments. Netanyahu pointed out that Israel stands out as the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is flourishing and successful. He also condemned an incident on April 20 involving an Israeli soldier damaging a statue of Jesus Christ in Lebanon, stating that the military is conducting a criminal investigation and will take appropriate disciplinary action.
The Prime Minister underscored Israel’s commitment to Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect among people of all faiths. The IDF announced on April 19 that the soldier’s actions were being taken seriously and were not in line with the expected values of the armed forces. The IDF’s Northern Command is investigating the incident and has pledged to address the matter appropriately.
