A general view of the badly damaged St. George's Church, following a Christmas mass in the southern Lebanese village of Yaroun near the border with Israel on Dec. 25, 2025. (Credit: Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP)
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it was “only in Israel” that Christians in the Middle East were able to celebrate Christmas this year.In a video released on Dec. 24, Netanyahu also said that Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christian communities can “practice freely” their faith.Yet on the country’s northern border lies Lebanon which, despite its many flaws, remains a model for freedom of worship and where Christians form a national pillar.By contrast, in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, the situation of Christians, most of whom are of Palestinian origin, appears more troubling.In 2023, a U.S. State Department report on religious freedom in Israel cited cases of “violence perpetrated by Jewish extremists” against Christians and Muslims. It also noted the “concern” expressed by...
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it was “only in Israel” that Christians in the Middle East were able to celebrate Christmas this year.In a video released on Dec. 24, Netanyahu also said that Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christian communities can “practice freely” their faith.Yet on the country’s northern border lies Lebanon which, despite its many flaws, remains a model for freedom of worship and where Christians form a national pillar.By contrast, in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, the situation of Christians, most of whom are of Palestinian origin, appears more troubling.In 2023, a U.S. State Department report on religious freedom in Israel cited cases of “violence perpetrated by Jewish extremists” against Christians and Muslims. It also noted the...
'American sponsorship is a guarantee,' says Lebanese-American coordination committee
I agree that Netanyahu is obviously and shamelessly lying, in his usual disgustingly boasting manner. But your reporting on the lack of freedom of religion in Israel is far off. Either your sources are unreliable, or you are spreading untruths of the same type as Netanyahu.
07 January 2026 17:42