The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has established a historic diplomatic position by naming George Deek as Israel’s inaugural envoy to the Christian world. The appointment, announced by the Foreign Ministry in April, marks a strategic effort to strengthen ties with Christian communities globally while addressing the dramatic decline of Christian populations across the Middle East. The move has drawn widespread support from Christian leaders and organizations operating in Jerusalem and beyond.
During an exclusive conversation in Jerusalem, Ambassador Deek emphasized the urgency behind his appointment. He pointed to a stark demographic shift that has seen Christians reduced from 20% of the Middle Eastern population to less than 2% today. Many historically Christian areas have witnessed complete disappearance of their communities, a trend Deek described as ethnic cleansing of the region.
Israel’s Christian population shows opposite trend with significant growth
In sharp contrast to regional patterns, Israel’s Christian community has experienced substantial expansion since the nation’s founding. The country now hosts 300 churches, double the number that existed in 1948. The Christian population itself has grown from 34,000 in 1948 to more than 184,200 as of December 2025, according to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics. This represents 1.9% of the total population, with a 0.7% increase over the previous year alone.
Deek, who previously served six years as Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, explained that most people worldwide know Israel exclusively through its Jewish identity. They remain largely unaware of the complexity and diversity that defines Israeli society. His mission centers on building stronger bridges between Israel and Christian leaders by presenting a more complete narrative often missing from global discourse.
Three strategic factors drive diplomatic initiative forward
The Foreign Ministry identified three primary reasons for creating this unprecedented diplomatic role. First, the special connection between Christians and the land of Israel as Christianity’s birthplace holds profound significance. Second, a deep historical bond reflects itself through the churches of the Holy Land and shared biblical values between Christians and Jews, including democracy, individualism, and freedom of conscience and thought. Third, Israel places high importance on maintaining relations with people of all denominations and religions.
- Israel stands as the only nation appointing a special envoy to the Christian world.
- The Christian community in Israel remains the sole growing Christian population in the entire Middle East.
- More than 200 theologians and pastors from over 30 countries recently attended an emergency antisemitism summit in Jerusalem.
- Approximately 3,000 additional participants joined the summit online from 185 nations worldwide.
Dr. Jürgen Bühler, president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, which has operated from the city for 46 years with branch offices in 95 countries, told media that Israel’s appointment demonstrates deep appreciation for Christian support. He emphasized this proves especially vital during a time of resurgent antisemitism spreading rapidly through poorly regulated digital platforms.
Ambassador addresses recent incidents targeting Christian symbols
Deek acknowledged that recent months have witnessed several isolated incidents involving attacks on Christian symbols, including one assault on a Christian nun. He characterized these acts as attacks on the core values upon which Israel was established, particularly tolerance and acceptance. Nobody has the right to attack anyone or use violence for any reason, especially against symbols of Christianity, Islam, or Judaism, he stated firmly.
The leadership of Israel, from the prime minister to the foreign minister and other officials, condemned these incidents unequivocally and unanimously. An Israeli soldier who desecrated a cross in southern Lebanon now sits in prison, as does the individual who pushed a nun to the ground and attacked her in Jerusalem. These prosecutions demonstrate that the State of Israel takes such violations very seriously and fully enforces the law.
Envoy warns of broader hate targeting minorities across region
Following the surge in antisemitic incidents in Europe and elsewhere after the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, Deek emphasized that hate beginning with Jews never ends with Jews. The same hatred that drove Jews from Arab countries in the 20th century has over the past two decades been directed against other minorities throughout the region. Hamas has pushed out the Christian population from Gaza, which has completely disappeared from that territory.
Within this challenging environment, Israel represents the only place where such minorities can live safely and practice their faith without fear. They do not merely survive in the State of Israel but actually thrive, Deek stressed. He pointed to a well-organized campaign by forces on the woke left and right, along with extremist Islamist groups, manipulating Christian faith and promoting claims of alleged mistreatment of Christians in Israel.
Deek views bringing as many Christians as possible to visit the land of Israel as a personal mission. He wants them to experience the reality on the ground rather than relying on political narratives, allowing them to see firsthand how Christian communities flourish in the Jewish state while disappearing elsewhere in the Middle East.
