Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished Christians around the world a “very merry Christmas” in a special video statement released on Christmas Eve.

The prime minster, who spoke from his Jerusalem office, touched upon the increasing persecution of Christians throughout the Middle East at the hands of radical Islamists.

He reiterated Israel’s promise of maintaining a safe haven for Christians in the Middle East, an exception to the “daily staple” of “violence, persecution and fear.”

“Here in Israel, religious freedom is a sacred principle,” Netanyahu stated. “Israel’s Christians enjoy the full blessing of freedom and democracy. Their equal rights are enshrined in Israeli law.”

The prime minister ended his message with a worldwide “call of prayer for a more peaceful and tolerant world.”