JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the shared biblical values of Jews and Christians set Israel apart from Iran and other nations in the Middle East.

Netanyahu made the remarks duing gathering in Jerusalem Sunday evening of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the organization founded by Pastor John Hagee.

"And these shared values set Israel apart from regimes like Syria that butchers its own people mercilessly. And from countries like Iran, whose leaders foment terrorism and violence around the globe and all for our destruction," he said.

"I think I don't have to explain to you why this [Iranian] regime must never be allowed to have nuclear weapons," he said.

Netanyahu also told CUFI participants that Israel is the only place in the region where Christians are free to practice their faith.

"At a time when Christians are under siege in so many places and so many lands in the Middle East, I'm proud that in Israel, they are free to practice their faith," he said. "They don't have to fear, they don't have to flee."