Netanyahu Defends Remarks on Jesus, Denies Offense to Christians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected accusations made on Friday that he intended to offend Christians with his previous remarks comparing Jesus to Genghis Khan. Netanyahu stated that he meant no offense and emphasized that he was referencing the great American historian Will Durant, who expressed admiration for Jesus Christ.

Netanyahu quoted Durant's assertion that moral superiority alone is insufficient for survival against ruthless enemies. His comments, made during a televised meeting with foreign press, sparked significant backlash on social media, particularly among Christians who view Jesus as the incarnation of God and the Prince of Peace, contrasting him with Genghis Khan, the 13th-century Mongol Empire founder known for his violent conquests.

Munther Isaac, a Palestinian Lutheran pastor from Bethlehem, criticized Netanyahu's statement as offensive on multiple levels. Netanyahu's remarks were also linked to discussions surrounding a joint Israeli-U.S. strike on Iran, which he argued was necessary for the protection of Israel and the world against threats posed by Iran's nuclear ballistic missile program.