Israeli soldier confirmed to have smashed Jesus statue in Lebanon, sparking outrage
An Israeli soldier was confirmed to have destroyed a statue of Jesus Christ in the Christian village of Debel in southern Lebanon.
The incident was captured in a viral photo showing the soldier smashing the statue with a sledgehammer.
The Israeli military verified the authenticity of the photo and announced that an investigation has been launched by its Northern Command.
The statue was located on a crucifix outside a family home near the Israeli border.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed that he was "shocked and saddened" by the soldier's actions.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar described the incident as "grave and disgraceful." The soldier's conduct was said to be "wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops." This event has drawn significant attention amid ongoing regional tensions and recent disputes involving Christian leaders in the Middle East.
It has also prompted condemnation from political figures in the United States, including former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.
The photo was first posted online by Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi and quickly gained millions of views.
In the US, the incident has fueled criticism of Israel, particularly among some right-wing and evangelical voices who question the close alliance and military aid provided to Israel.
Commentators such as Tucker Carlson have highlighted the incident as part of a broader pattern of behavior by Israeli soldiers, while others have expressed outrage at the desecration of a Christian religious symbol.
The incident follows recent tensions, including Israeli authorities preventing Christian faith leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday Mass and the condemnation by Pope Leo XIV of the killing of a Christian priest in southern Lebanon after an Israeli tank strike.
The White House has not issued a comment on the photo or the incident.
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