The government of Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has recently established a new envoy position aimed at enhancing relations with the Christian community. This move has been praised by many Christian leaders. Ambassador George Deek, appointed to this role, discussed the significance of this position during an interview in Jerusalem.
Deek emphasized the declining Christian presence in the Middle East, noting that Christians have decreased from 20% to less than 2% of the population. In contrast, Israel’s Christian community has grown from 34,000 in 1948 to over 180,000 today, with 300 churches now compared to 150 in 1948.
Explaining his role as Israel’s first envoy to the Christian world, Deek expressed his intention to build strong connections between Israel and Christian leaders, hoping to share a complete story of Israel that is often overlooked globally. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, as of December 2025, Christians made up 1.9% of Israel’s population, with the community growing by 0.7% over the previous year.
Deek previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan. He highlighted three reasons for his new appointment announced by the Foreign Ministry: the special connection between Christians and Israel, historical bonds rooted in shared values, and the importance of fostering relations with all religious groups.
Dr. Jürgen Bühler, president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, expressed appreciation for Israel’s commitment to Christian-Jewish relations, noting that this initiative is essential amid rising antisemitism worldwide.
Despite positive developments, Deek acknowledged recent isolated incidents involving attacks on Christian symbols and individuals. He condemned these as attacks on the nation’s values of tolerance and acceptance, emphasizing that such acts are unacceptable and taken seriously by Israeli leadership.
Deek also addressed the broader context of regional antisemitism and declining minority populations, stating that Israel remains a safe place where minorities can thrive and practice their faith freely.
Highlighting the challenges and misinformation campaigns, Deek aims to encourage Christians to visit Israel to connect with their religious roots and biblical values. He views this not as a political campaign but as an opportunity for personal and spiritual connection.
Amelie Botbol, a freelance journalist based in Tel Aviv, contributed to this report. Her work has appeared in various international publications.
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