The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has said that Israel’s proposed support for Nigeria’s fight against insecurity will be carried out strictly through intelligence sharing and cooperation with the Nigerian government, not through independent military action.
Freeman made this clarification during an interview on ARISE News on Monday, amid global reactions to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks on opening a new front against radical Islamist violence.
He explained that Netanyahu’s comments, which referenced the protection of persecuted Christian communities, were misunderstood in some quarters, stressing that the initiative was designed to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
According to the envoy, Israel’s intention is to work with Nigeria as a partner and ally to curb violence affecting Christians, Muslims and other citizens across the country.
“This is about working with Nigeria, not against Nigeria. It is about cooperation and partnership,” Freeman said.
He noted that intelligence sharing would be the primary area of collaboration, adding that any engagement would be guided by the Nigerian government.
“Our interest is to support Nigeria in stopping violence against all its people. We will be led by the Nigerian authorities on where and how we can work together,” he added.
Freeman declined to confirm whether formal diplomatic engagements had taken place with President Bola Tinubu’s administration following Netanyahu’s remarks, citing the sensitive nature of intelligence matters.
“When it comes to intelligence, discussions are not conducted in public because that would defeat the purpose,” he said.
The ambassador also dismissed suggestions that Israel’s position was driven by geopolitical interests, pointing to Israel’s record of religious freedom and protection of minority communities.
