Netanyahu thanks Christians for support in Yuletide greeting

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanks Christians in Israel and abroad for their “steadfast support” during the ongoing war, in a video message for Christmas.

“You’ve stood by our side. You’ve stood by our side resiliently, consistently, forcefully as Israel defends our civilization against barbarism,” he says.

Netanyahu stresses that Israel seeks peace with those who desire peace, “but we will do whatever is necessary to defend the one and only Jewish state, the repository and the source of our common heritage.”

“Israel leads the world in fighting the forces of evil and tyranny, but our battle is not yet over,” he continues. “With your support, and with God’s help, I assure you, we shall prevail.”

“From Jerusalem, city of peace, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Israel is home to approximately 185,000 Christians, most of them Arab, accounting for about 1.9 percent of the country’s population, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics.

According to Palestinian officials, about 47,000 Christians reside in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

AFP contributed to this post.

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