Israel’s Christian population is just 1.9%. So why do many Nigerian Christians feel a deep bond with it?
By Mercy Ajekigbe
A number of Nigerian Christians, led by Evangelist Ebube Joseph, recently took to the streets to protest against the reported Christian genocide happening in various parts of the country. The protesters called on the U.S President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene in the killings, while pleading for continued support amidst the ongoing silence.
Footage of the protest was shared on the Evangelist’s platform on X, where it gained significant traction and drew support from many users who joined in the call for foreign intervention by tagging the leaders in the appeal.
This appeal, however, represent a larger trend among Nigerian Christians, who do not only view Israel as a strategic ally but through a lens of biblical identity and shared religion.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support in the fight against the Christian genocide in a holiday greetings video last year, many Nigerian Christians’ appeal to Israel is rooted in the misconception that the two countries share the same religious identity.
During the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel in 2023, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God ( RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye declared support for Israel.
He posted on his X handle: “My beloved Brothers in Israel, I want you to know that we are praying for you, that all members of the Redeem Christian Church of God are standing by you at this critical moment. The Almighty God, the Holy One of Israel, will give you absolute victory and permanent peace in Jesus’ Name. Amen. It is going to be well with you.
“This war will be the war that will be the end of all war in Israel. From now on, it will be peace and progress, and no one will ever again disrupt the peace of Israel”.
Contrary to a common belief among many Nigerian Christians, the modern State of Israel is not synonymous with the biblical nation of Israel. In geopolitical terms, Israel is a predominantly Jewish state located in the Middle East, in Western Asia. Christians make up approximately 1.9% of Israel’s population, and around 80% of them are of Palestinian ethnicity. These demographic realities are often underrepresented in Nigeria, contributing to the widespread misconception that shapes many people’s opinions on the conflicts the state is involved in.
Despite the efforts of scholars and researchers to challenge this misconception, many Nigerians continue to express unwavering support for the State of Israel in its conflicts, often drawing on religion rather than geopolitical or historical considerations. For example, in a Facebook post by @ThisisBendel addressing this belief, numerous users responded with dissatisfaction, continuing to equate the modern State of Israel with the biblical nation and using religious arguments to justify their position.
One user, @adedebenedicta commented: “Israel is in the Bible period and even tolerates Christians more than the Muslims”
Efforts, however, are still actively made to deconstruct this misconception surrounding Israel.
