{"id":2594845,"date":"2026-04-24T19:27:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T23:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-appoints-its-first-ever-special-envoy-to-christian-world-after-controversial-incidents\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T19:29:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T23:29:16","slug":"israel-appoints-its-first-ever-special-envoy-to-christian-world-after-controversial-incidents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-appoints-its-first-ever-special-envoy-to-christian-world-after-controversial-incidents\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel Appoints Its First Ever &#8216;Special Envoy to Christian World&#8217; After Controversial Incidents"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fisrael-appoints-its-first-ever-special-envoy-to-christian-world-after-controversial-incidents%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2594845&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Israel has appointed its first \u201cspecial envoy too the Christian world,\u201d George Deek, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-claire-mccaskill-in-line-for-european-ambassadorship\/\" title=\"Report: Claire McCaskill in Line for European Ambassadorship\">veteran diplomat<\/a> from Jaffa\u2019s Arab-Christian community, to deepen Israel\u2019s ties with Christian communities around the globe. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa\u2019ar highlighted Deek\u2019s background and described the move as a commitment to strengthening friendships with Christians worldwide. Deek\u2019s father, Yosef Deek, was long a leader of the Christian-Orthodox community in Jaffa and Israel.<\/p>\n<p>The development comes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/johnson-stresses-friendship-with-uk-in-address-to-parliament\/\" title=\"Johnson stresses friendship with UK in address to P...liament\">amid recent tensions<\/a> and incidents affecting Christian communities in the region.there were reports that an Israeli soldier damaged a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, leading to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >disciplinary actions including removal<\/a> from combat duties and a 30-day imprisonment for the involved soldier and a colleague. Earlier in the week, Israeli police blocked a Palm Sunday service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene and grant clergy unimpeded access. The Times of Israel noted that a 2024 Rossing Center report documented 111 attacks against Christians in Israel and the Palestinian territories,most targeting clergy or Christians wearing visible symbols,with many perpetrators from ultra-Orthodox and national-religious communities.<\/p>\n<p>Netanyahu condemned the statue incident and stressed Israel\u2019s commitment to religious freedom, stating that all religions flourish in the country and that people of all faiths are treated as equals. The Times of Israel also provided demographic context, noting that Christians account for about 1.9% of Israel\u2019s population (roughly 184,200 people), with Nazareth, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Nof HaGalil hosting the largest Christian communities. Public opinion among Americans shows broad support for Israel among white evangelical Christians (about 65%) and Jews (about 64%), while polls also indicate political divides in the U.S., with Democrats more negative toward Israel and Republicans more positive.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Israel announced on Thursday the appointment of its first &ldquo;special envoy to the Christian world&rdquo; following some recent embarrassing incidents directed at the faith&rsquo;s adherents.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa&rsquo;ar appointed veteran diplomat George Deek to the newly created role, saying the move is &ldquo;intended to deepen Israel&rsquo;s ties with Christian communities around the world.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He is a member of the Arab-Christian community in Jaffa and has been active in this society since a young age. His father, Yosef Deek, was the chairman of the Christian-Orthodox community in Jaffa and Israel for many years,&rdquo; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/israel-accuses-mamdani-throwing-antisemitic-gasoline-open-fire-day-1-executive-orders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Foreign Ministry<\/a> said of George Deek.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The State of Israel attaches great importance to its relations with the Christian world and with its Christian friends around the world. I am confident that George, an esteemed and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-trump-adviser-bolton-calls-for-iran-regime-change-after-israel-terror-attack\/\" title=\"Bolton urges Iran &#039;regime change&#039; following ... attack.\">experienced diplomat<\/a>, will contribute greatly to deepening the friendship and strengthening the ties between the State of Israel and the Christian world,&rdquo; Sa&rsquo;ar said, according to a translation.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"rtl\" lang=\"iw\">&#1513;&#1512; &#1492;&#1495;&#1493;&#1509; &#1490;&#1491;&#1506;&#1493;&#1503; &#1505;&#1506;&#1512; &#1502;&#1497;&#1504;&#1492; &#1488;&#1514; &#1490;&#1523;&#1493;&#1512;&#1490;&#1523; &#1491;&#1497;&#1511; &#1500;&#1513;&#1500;&#1497;&#1495; &#1502;&#1497;&#1493;&#1495;&#1491; &#1500;&#1506;&#1493;&#1500;&#1501; &#1492;&#1504;&#1493;&#1510;&#1512;&#1497;. &#1492;&#1502;&#1497;&#1504;&#1493;&#1497; &#1504;&#1493;&#1506;&#1491; &#1500;&#1492;&#1506;&#1502;&#1497;&#1511; &#1488;&#1514; &#1511;&#1513;&#1512;&#1497; &#1497;&#1513;&#1512;&#1488;&#1500; &#1506;&#1501; &#1511;&#1492;&#1497;&#1500;&#1493;&#1514; &#1504;&#1493;&#1510;&#1512;&#1497;&#1493;&#1514; &#1489;&#1506;&#1493;&#1500;&#1501;.<\/p>\n<p>&#1491;&#1497;&#1511;, &#1491;&#1497;&#1508;&#1500;&#1493;&#1502;&#1496; &#1493;&#1514;&#1497;&#1511; &#1489;&#1506;&#1500; 18 &#1513;&#1504;&#1493;&#1514; &#1504;&#1497;&#1505;&#1497;&#1493;&#1503;, &#1513;&#1497;&#1502;&#1513; &#1506;&#1491; &#1500;&#1488;&#1495;&#1512;&#1493;&#1504;&#1492; &#1499;&#1513;&#1490;&#1512;&#1497;&#1512; &#1497;&#1513;&#1512;&#1488;&#1500; &#1489;&#1488;&#1494;&#1512;&#1489;&#1497;&#1497;&#1490;&#1523;&#1503; &#1493;&#1492;&#1497;&#1492; &#1492;&#1513;&#1490;&#1512;&#1497;&#1512; &#1492;&#1504;&#1493;&#1510;&#1512;&#1497; &#1492;&#1512;&#1488;&#1513;&#1493;&#1503; &#1489;&#1514;&#1493;&#1500;&#1491;&#1493;&#1514; &#1497;&#1513;&#1512;&#1488;&#1500;. &#1492;&#1493;&#1488; &#1494;&#1499;&#1492; &#1489;&#1488;&#1493;&#1514; &#1492;&#1502;&#1504;&#1492;&#1500; &#1492;&#1502;&#1510;&#1496;&#1497;&#1497;&#1503; &#1513;&#1500; &#1502;&#1513;&#1512;&#1491;&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ScMFBnRC6K\">pic.twitter.com\/ScMFBnRC6K<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; &#1502;&#1513;&#1512;&#1491; &#1492;&#1495;&#1493;&#1509; (@IsraelHebrew) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IsraelHebrew\/status\/2047284393790574961?\">April 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"anyclipvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadAnyclip() { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst container=document.getElementById(\"anyclipvideo\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!container) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=\"https:\/\/player.anyclip.com\/anyclip-widget\/lre-widget\/prod\/v1\/src\/lre.js\"; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute(\"pubname\", \"westernjournalcom\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute(\"widgetname\", \"001w000001jULVcAAO_M12924\"); 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 \t\t\t\t\t\tconst observer=new IntersectionObserver( \t\t\t\t\t\t\t(entries)=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentries.forEach(entry=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif (entry.isIntersecting) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim()); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloadAnyclip(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.disconnect(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #anyclipvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#anyclipvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, the Israeli Defense Forces stated that one of its soldiers who took a sledgehammer to a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, and another who photographed him doing it, would be removed from combat operations and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/two-israeli-soldiers-jailed-involvement-smashing-jesus-statue\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">imprisoned for 30 days<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to that incident earlier this week, Israeli police initially blocked Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic official in the Holy Land, and other senior clergy from conducting a Palm Sunday service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre due to wartime restrictions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/israel-appoints-first-special-envoy-to-christian-world-after-scandals-strain-ties\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Times of Israel<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervened, granting the clergy &ldquo;full and immediate access&rdquo; to the site.<\/p>\n<p>The Times of Israel further reported that &ldquo;a 2024 Annual Report by the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue documented 111 reported cases of attacks against Christians, including 46 physical attacks, 35 attacks against church properties, and 13 cases of harassment.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Most perpetrators appeared to belong to the ultra-Orthodox and national-religious communities, and they directed their attacks primarily at Christian clergy members or people wearing visible Christian symbols.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/benjamin-netanyahu-announces-cancer-diagnosis-treatment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Netanyahu<\/a> posted Monday on social media in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/idf-takes-quick-action-soldier-caught-smashing-statue-jesus-lebanon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">response<\/a> to the Jesus statue incident, &ldquo;Yesterday, like the overwhelming majority of Israelis, I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon. I condemn the act in the strongest terms.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The prime minister also noted that Israel allows for religious freedom, unlike many other nations in the region. &ldquo;All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region,&rdquo; he wrote.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths. All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region.<\/p>\n<p>Yesterday, like the&hellip;<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Benjamin Netanyahu &ndash; &#1489;&#1504;&#1497;&#1502;&#1497;&#1503; &#1504;&#1514;&#1504;&#1497;&#1492;&#1493; (@netanyahu) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/netanyahu\/status\/2046166181258650016?\">April 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Times of Israel reported, &ldquo;Israel&rsquo;s Christians account for 1.9 percent of the country&rsquo;s population, and grew by 0.7% from 2023 to 2024, Israel&rsquo;s Central Bureau of Statistics reported in December. Some 184,200 Christians currently live in Israel, according to the CBS. Nazareth has the largest Christian population with 18,900, followed by Haifa (18,800), Jerusalem (13,400) and Nof HaGalil (10,800).&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Among the American electorate, white evangelical Christians have the most favorable view of Israel at 65 percent support, with those who adhere to the Jewish faith coming in close behind at 64 percent, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/short-reads\/2026\/04\/07\/negative-views-of-israel-netanyahu-continue-to-rise-among-americans-especially-young-people\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pew Research Center<\/a> poll published this month.<\/p>\n<p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/2026-election\/poll-israels-standing-plummets-democrats-fueling-primaries-left-rcna262995\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBC News<\/a> survey published last month determined that 57 percent of Democrats view Israel negatively, while 54 percent of Republicans view the Jewish state positively.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here is a concise paraphrase of the main points:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Israel named its first special envoy to the Christian world: George Deek, an experienced diplomat and a member of the Arab-Christian community in Jaffa. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa\u2019ar said the role aims to deepen Israel\u2019s ties with Christian communities worldwide. Deek\u2019s background includes his father, Yosef Deek, who led the Christian-Orthodox community in Jaffa for many years.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Earlier this week, an Israeli soldier used a sledgehammer on a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, and another soldier who photographed the act will be removed from combat duties and imprisoned for 30 days.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; In another incident, Israeli police initially blocked Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and other senior clergy from conducting a Palm Sunday service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre due to security rules. Prime Minister Netanyahu intervened, granting the clergy full and immediate access.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; A 2024 report by the Rossing Center documented 111 attacks against Christians in Israel and the Palestinian territories, including 46 physical assaults, 35 attacks on church properties, and 13 harassment cases. Most perpetrators appeared to come from ultra-Orthodox or national-religious communities, with victims mainly clergy or people wearing Christian symbols.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Netanyahu condemned the Jesus statue incident and underscored Israel\u2019s commitment to religious freedom and equality for all faiths, noting that all religions flourish in Israel.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The Times of Israel cites demographic data: Christians account for about 1.9% of the population (roughly 184,200 people in 2024), with Nazareth having the largest Christian population, followed by Haifa, Jerusalem, and Nof HaGalil.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Public opinion: a Pew poll shows 65% of white evangelical Christians in the U.S. have a favorable view of Israel, with 64% of Jews similarly favorable. An NBC News poll found 57% of Democrats view Israel negatively, while 54% of Republicans view it positively.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d like, I can shorten this further or tailor it for a specific audience<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2594846,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-04-24T170230.365.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50410,3817,17524,73207,4671],"class_list":["post-2594845","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-controversy-2","tag-diplomacy","tag-envoy","tag-interfaith","tag-israel"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-04-24T170230.365.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2594845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2594845"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2594845\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2594849,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2594845\/revisions\/2594849"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2594846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2594845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2594845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2594845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}