Israeli soldier photographed attacking Jesus statue in Lebanese village
Military opens investigation after image from southern Lebanon sparks condemnation from Israeli officials and international observers.
Israeli soldier photographed attacking Jesus statue in Lebanese village
Military opens investigation after image from southern Lebanon sparks condemnation from Israeli officials and international observers.
An Israeli soldier was photographed striking a statue of Jesus Christ with a sledgehammer in the southern Lebanese village of Debel, prompting the Israeli military to open an investigation into the incident.12
The Israeli military confirmed the authenticity of the photograph on Monday, stating that an initial review determined it showed a soldier "operating in southern Lebanon" and that "appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings".1 Israel's foreign minister also condemned the desecration.2
Reuters verified the location as Debel, one of few villages in southern Lebanon where residents remained during Israel's military campaign against Hezbollah that began on 2 March.2 The cross was part of a small shrine in the garden of a family living on the edge of the village, according to Fadi Falfel, a priest in Debel.2
"One of the Israeli soldiers broke the cross and did this horrible thing, this desecration of our holy symbols," Falfel said.2
The photograph, posted online by Younis Tirawi, who describes himself as a Palestinian reporter, garnered more than 5 million views on X.1 Palestinian members of the Israeli parliament responded critically. Ayman Odeh wrote that observers would "wait to hear the police spokesperson claim that 'the soldier felt threatened by Jesus'", while Ahmad Tibi wrote on Facebook that those who attack religious sites in Gaza and Jerusalem "are not afraid to destroy a statue of Jesus Christ and publish it".1
In the United States, right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson wrote that "this kind of incident is not rare" and that "the Israeli government has permitted its soldiers to behave like barbarians for decades".3 Former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene referenced the billions of dollars in US military aid Israel receives annually in her criticism.3