(Jerusalem)—Haaretz reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a conference of Christians United for Israel on Sunday, March 18.

Pastor John Hagee introduced the prime minister, saying, “Ancient Israel had Moses who led them in the desert; during the golden era they had King David, who conquered Jerusalem, and today, when there are existential threats, Israel has a champion who can confront the challenge; please welcome the prime minister…”

Noted the report: The allegory of the poor man and his lamb, delivered as a reprimand to David, [was] cited by Netanyahu as an example of how all people are equal before the law, including Israel’s Arab population.

To extended rousing applause, Netanyahu said, “I’m proud that in Israel Muslims are free to practice their religion. At a time when Christians are under siege in so many places and so many lands, Christians are free to practice their faith in Israel.”