Israeli Soldier in Lebanon Sledgehammered a Statue of Jesus
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- The Israeli military is investigating a soldier photographed vandalizing a statue of a crucified Jesus in the Christian village of Debl, southern Lebanon, by swinging a sledgehammer at its head.
- The military confirmed the photo's authenticity and the damage to the statue but has not yet determined the exact timing of the incident.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the soldier’s actions, expressing sadness and regret for any offense caused to believers in Lebanon and worldwide.
- The military described the conduct as inconsistent with its values and pledged to take harsh disciplinary action while assisting the Lebanese community in restoring the statue.
- The soldier responsible has been identified, and an investigation by the army’s Northern Command is ongoing.
