Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed Sunday that Israel has foiled at least 40 would-be Islamic State terrorist attacks in Western countries over the last three years.
Netanyahu spoke Sunday at a meeting in Jerusalem of visiting journalists from Christian media, where he was warmly received by reporters.
The prime minister said he favors appointing an Israeli envoy to the Christian world, a sign of the country's efforts to foster close ties with its Christian allies.
He welcomed the idea suggested by one journalist to appoint such an emissary as "a great idea."
The summit reflects the deepening ties between Israel and the evangelical Christian world. Israel has come to rely on widespread evangelical support in recent years, a move that has raised concerns among some Jews in Israel and abroad.
"A great alliance with the evangelicals is something we do not apologize for," Netanyahu said. "We have no better friends in the world."
Netanyahu also promised to examine lifting restrictions preventing millions of Indonesian Christians from visiting Israel.
