Israeli military investigates soldier filmed striking Jesus statue in Lebanon

Photograph showing destruction of crucifix in southern Lebanese village draws condemnation from Israeli officials and social media users.

The Israeli military opened an investigation after a photograph showing a soldier striking a statue of Jesus Christ with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon circulated widely on social media, garnering more than five million views.¹ The military confirmed the image's authenticity on Monday and said it depicted a soldier operating in southern Lebanon, where Israel launched a ground invasion last month.¹

The photograph was verified by Reuters as having been taken in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon where some residents remained during Israel's military campaign against Hezbollah that began on 2 March.² Fadi Falfel, a priest in Debel, said the cross was part of a small garden shrine belonging to a family living on the village's edge.² One of the Israeli soldiers broke the cross and did this horrible thing, this desecration of our holy symbols, Falfel said.²

Israel's foreign minister and military condemned the soldier's actions.² The military said "appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings" of the investigation.¹

Palestinian members of the Israeli parliament criticised the incident. Ayman Odeh wrote on social media: We'll wait to hear the police spokesperson claim that 'the soldier felt threatened by Jesus'.¹ Ahmad Tibi said on Facebook that those who blow up mosques and churches in Gaza and spit on Christian clergy in Jerusalem without punishment are not afraid to destroy a statue of Jesus Christ.¹

The image was posted online by Younis Tirawi, who describes himself as a Palestinian reporter and has also shared images of alleged Israeli soldier misconduct in Gaza.²