Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent Christmas message to Christians worldwide has drawn criticism, highlighting the ongoing military actions in Gaza and Lebanon that have devastated Christian communities.
In Gaza, over 15 Christians were killed when the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius was struck by an Israeli airstrike in October 2024. The attack damaged the 1,600-year-old church, where civilians sought refuge amid the ongoing war.
In Lebanon, an Israeli airstrike in October targeted the predominantly Christian town of Aitou, killing at least 18 civilians and destroying homes and community buildings.
These incidents are only a glimpse of the broader challenges faced by Christians in the region. The decades-long conflict has led to the mass exodus of Christian families, reducing their population in historic Palestine to less than 2%, compared to 10% in 1920.
Critics argue that Netanyahu’s Christmas message glosses over these realities, as the Christian community continues to endure the consequences of military operations, settler violence, and policies contributing to their marginalisation and displacement. The impact of these actions extends beyond individuals, threatening the very heritage of one of the world’s oldest Christian communities.
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