US Edition
Netanyahu Condemns Soldier Who Smashed Jesus Statue in Lebanon
The military said the image was authentic and opened a probe after more than 5 million views on X.
- The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Monday that an image shared Sunday by Palestinian activist Younes Tirawi showing a soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ in the southern Lebanese village of Debel is authentic.
- This incident occurred in the Christian village of Debel within the Bint Jbeil district amid a fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, after Israel reported killing 150 Hezbollah operatives in the region.
- Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the act as "shameful and disgraceful," while U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee demanded "swift, severe, & public consequences" and the military vowed to "restore the statue to its place."
- Local priest Fadi Falfel described the act as a "desecration of our holy symbols," fueling criticism that Israel discriminates against Christians, echoing tensions from last month when police blocked clergy from a Palm Sunday service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
- Amid the broader conflict, nearly 2,300 people have been killed and over 1 million displaced in Lebanon, with observers arguing that religious site incidents undermine Israel's stated justification of "defending Judeo-Christian values" in the Middle East.
207 Articles
207 Articles
An Israeli soldier smashed a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon with a hammer. The incident took place in a Maronite Christian village, and while it was initially unclear whether the image circulating on social media was real, the Israeli military (IDF) has launched an investigation and determined that the incident actually happened. “The IDF considers this incident extremely serious and emphasizes that the soldier’s behavior is completely cont…
The image of the agent hitting with an axe a fallen sculpture of Jesus on the cross was published on social networks; Tel Aviv apologized and said that the incident is being investigated
Holy Land Catholic leaders condemn Israeli soldier’s desecration of crucifix in Lebanon
(OSV News) — Catholic leaders in the Holy Land expressed their “unreserved condemnation” after a picture of an Israeli soldier striking the head of a statue of Jesus in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon, went viral on social media. In a statement signed by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, issued April 20, the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land expressed its “profound indignation and unreserved condemnation of the des…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
