A viral photograph of an Israeli soldier striking a Jesus statue with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon has prompted a military investigation and condemnation from Israeli officials.
1:30 PM
A photograph showing an Israeli soldier hitting a statue of Jesus Christ with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon has sparked widespread outrage and prompted an official investigation.
The Israeli military confirmed the authenticity of the image on Monday, which circulated widely on social media, garnering more than 5 million views on X. The photograph appears to show the soldier striking the head of a crucified Jesus statue that had fallen off a cross.
The statue is located in Debl, a Christian village in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel, according to the local municipality. The military said it had confirmed the statue was damaged but had not yet determined when the vandalism occurred.
The Israeli military said it viewed the incident "with great severity" and emphasized that the soldier's conduct was "wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops." The military announced it had opened a criminal investigation involving the chain of command and promised that "appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the soldier's actions, saying he was "stunned and saddened" when he learned of the incident. He expressed regret for any hurt caused "to believers in Lebanon and around the world" and vowed that the military would "take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender."
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called the episode "grave and shameful," stating that "the damaging of a Christian religious symbol by a soldier of the Israeli Defense Forces is shameful." Sa'ar offered formal apologies "to every Christian whose feelings were hurt" and praised the military for condemning the act and launching an investigation, assuring that "severe measures" would be taken against the responsible party.
Father Fadi Flaifel, head of Debl's congregation, told the BBC: "We totally reject the desecration of the cross, our sacred symbol, and all religious symbols."
The Israeli military said it was working with people in the village to "restore the statue in its place." The incident occurred during Israel's ground operations in southern Lebanon, which began last month in conjunction with aerial bombardment as part of Israel's joint military operations with the United States against Iran.
Palestinian members of the Israeli parliament also commented on the incident. Ayman Odeh wrote on social media: "We'll wait to hear the police spokesperson claim that 'the soldier felt threatened by Jesus'."
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