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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Palestine of systematically reducing the Christian population in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.In a Christmas message on Wednesday, Netanyahu recalled “Bethlehem used to have 80% Christian population” when it was under Israel’s jurisdiction.“When we left and gave it to the Palestinian Authority, it has since dwindled from 80% to 20%,” the Prime Minister decried in an emphatic broadcast.Netanyahu, who condemned the targeting of Christians in Nigeria and called for an immediate end to the recurring attacks, assured his country “will always stand” by believers.Noting that Christian communities face widespread threats and persecution worldwide, he denounced the growing depletion of the faithful, particularly in the Middle East.Netanyahu said while the Christian population in Israel is growing, the reverse is the case in “countless countries” where the number is decreasing due to discrimination and oppression.“This has happened in Iraq, happened in Syria, happened in Lebanon, happened in Turkey; and it’s happening in the Palestinian Authority,” the PM protested.However, Jerusalem has slammed Hamas for violating the ceasefire deal and President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, vowing that “Israel will respond accordingly.”The Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday called Hamas’s refusal to disarm “an ongoing flagrant violation,” citing the detonation of an IED that wounded an IDF officer.A statement by the office stressed that Hamas must be held to the agreement that they signed, which includes removal from governance, demilitarisation and de-radicalisation.
